PhD Studentship in Formulation Approaches to Develop Robust Drug Delivery Systems with Cocrystals

Award Summary

100% Home (UK) tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (£18,622, 2023/24 rate)

Overview

Are you interested in learning how to develop novel drug delivery systems with improved bio performance? Our team has been studying how pharmaceutical cocrystals can improve drug solubility and dissolution. Studies can be found here:

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00122
• DOI:10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105422 

Although many studies on cocrystal design are found in the literature, cocrystal formulation development has thus far been marked by a lack of understanding of cocrystal solution chemistry that governs drug supersaturation. The selection of additives remains a largely empirical & time-consuming process. The expected outcome of this research is a conceptual framework for designing cocrystal formulations where a target in vitro drug concentration can be achieved through the rational use of thermodynamic properties and predictions, in combination with drug precipitation kinetics and oral absorption properties.

In this PhD, you will test different additives, such as surfactants, polymers & lipids. You will become an expert on a large number of techniques for physicochemical characterization, such as calorimetric, spectroscopic, and crystallographic, imaging, analytical (HPLC) and pharmaceutical processing. You will also gain in-depth training in equilibrium solubility and in vitro dissolution experiments. 

Number of awards: 1

Start date: January 2024

Award duration: The funding covers a 3.5-year PhD.

Sponsor: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Supervisors:

Dr. Tatiane Machado, School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University

Dr. Oisín Kavanagh, School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a subject relating to Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or closely related discipline. This studentship is available to both home & international applicants but the funding will only cover the home portion of the fees. Applicants will be responsible for funding the difference. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subsection. 

How To Apply

To apply for a studentship, you must register and apply by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• please apply for the 2023 academic year for January 2024 start
• you can search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8319F
• select PhD Pharmacy (TandCR) (FT)

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
•  the studentship code TC074 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert - you do not need to upload a research proposal.

 In addition, before you submit your application you will need to upload the following supporting documentation:

• covering letter & CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code TC074 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project 
• degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if already completed.

You will not be able to submit your application until you have submitted all required documents/information.

Contact Details

For further details, please contact: Dr Tatiane Machado E-mail: tatiane.machado@newcastle.ac.uk

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