Two doctoral students in Food and Formulation Engineering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
The postgraduate subject includes experimental and theoretical studies based on a technical and scientific basis, to meet issues with a relevance to the pharmaceutical industry and other related industries.

Work duties
There are two PhD-projects available in the same research group and the projects are described below. The doctoral students will work in separate projects.

Project 1
This is a sub-projectof an EU-funded project (RealHope) where, in close collaboration with industry, the effect of being exposed to realistic handling on biological drugs will be investigated. In this work, we will investigate the effect of different syringes and techniques for mixing (reconstituting) drugs with regards to drug quality parameters and develop methods that can be used in clinical practice for this purpose.
Contact person: Prof. Marie Wahlgren (marie.wahlgren@food.lth.se)

Project 2
This evovles around the use of lipid-based nanoparticles for drugs, which are for instance used in COIVD-19 vaccines. Some key research issues are the rapid elimination of particles from the bloodstream (significantly reducing efficiency), lack of stability / integrity, unwanted leakage of the active substance and the fate of the particles when in contact with blood components. The research will determine how blood protein-lipid-nanoparticle interaction affects release / stability / leakage.
Contact person: Prof. Lars Nilsson (lars.nilsson@food.lth.se)

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Food and Formulation Engineering if the applicant has:

• at least 60 credits in the subject of the third-cycle programme, of which at least 30 credits are from second-cycle courses of relevance to the subject and 30 credits from a second-cycle degree project of relevance to the subject, or
• an MSc in Engineering, a one-year Master’s degree or other comparable degree of relevance to the field.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Strong ability to particpate in projects with several collaborators.
• Strong ability to perform experimental laboratory work.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience in surface and colloid chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry and/or pharmaceutical technology will be considered as merits.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through the applicants experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. If you are specifically interested in one of the projects, please indicate which one and provide a short motivation. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).