Postdoctoral Research Associate in Pharmaceutical Dermatology

About Us

The Jones Group are experts in pharmaceutical dermatology. They design of innovative pharmaceutical formulations and devices. They are interested in how therapeutic agents are released from formulations and how they cross biological barriers. They use new discoveries in drug delivery and barrier transport processes to design new diagnostic and drug administration systems. To date this work their work has been funded by 18 research grants with a total value of > £ 4 million. He has published over 80 research articles, 8 patents and successfully supervised more than 30 PhD students. They are currently working on innovative approaches to non-invasive biomarker sampling via the skin, the use of natural compounds to modify skin keratinocyte function, development of topical formulations that generate gases, novel formulations for drug delivery to the skin, hair and nail, the use of skin stretching to promote needleless delivery, the use of nanomaterials in the oral and respiratory mucosa, targeting hair follicles using nanosystems and the use of 3D printing to develop topical patches. 

About The Role

The role will be to develop and clinically test a new drug-device treatment for onychomycosis (fungal infection of the human nail plate). Onychmycosis affects one in ten people, and it is classed as a significant unmet medical need because the current treatment is inadequate, with fewer than one in three people being cured. Infections in the hands and toenails are usually acquired in young adult life and can persist until death. Although onychomycosis can be perceived as a cosmetic problem among young adults, later in life, if a sufferer experiences immunocompromise, the infection can spread to all digits and across the skin. In chronic immunocompromisation, onycomycosis can also lead to invasion and the generation of blood-based infections. At King's College London, we are developing a new topical therapy that promises to be a significant breakthrough for onychomycosis patients.

We are seeking a motivated Research Associate to help develop a new drug-device combination for the treatment of onychomycosis. We are currently in the stages of finalising the device design. We have funding for a new translational research project, which will advance the new treatment from the laboratory into clinical testing in a Phase 2b clinical trial. We are seeking a clinical coordinator to lead this project.

This exciting role requires a Research Associate who is capable of working both in the laboratory and in the clinic. Initially, designing a range of different experiments, executing them efficiently and accurately interpreting their findings. Skills are needed in working with tissues, analytical techniques and biological samples. Experience of 3D printing and CAD design is highly desirable but not essential. The Research Associate will be responsible, working with a team of coworkers, to facilitate the clinical testing of the new treatment in collaboration with our partners at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital.

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an a fixed term contract until 31/01/2029

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