Post Doctoral Research Assistant

Location: Medway Campus

Contract Type: Fixed Term - Until 31/08/2028

Interview Date: To be confirmed

The University of Greenwich is seeking a highly motivated Post Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) to join the Faculty of Engineering & Science, working within the dynamic research group led by Dr Ana-Maria Totea. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge, translational research project at the interface of nanomedicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and oncology supportive care.

This project aims to revolutionise the management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) by developing a novel dual-loaded liposomal hydrogel system for targeted delivery to hair follicles. With up to 60% of patients affected by hair loss during chemotherapy, and current scalp cooling approaches limited by discomfort and incomplete efficacy, this work addresses a critical unmet clinical need with strong potential for real-world impact.

As a PDRA, you will play a central role in the design and formulation of advanced drug delivery systems, as well as their physicochemical characterisation and evaluation through ex vivo skin deposition and biocompatibility studies, supporting the translation of this technology towards clinical application.

You will be joining a collaborative and ambitious research environment, with strong links to academic leaders and industry partners, including Paxman Scalp Cooling, offering excellent opportunities for impact, dissemination, and future funding development.

We are looking for a candidate who brings technical expertise, creativity, and a strong drive for innovation, alongside the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. You should have an undergraduate or relevant postgraduate (e.g. Master’s degree) in a related scientific field and experience in nanoparticle formulation, drug delivery, and relevant analytical and characterisation techniques. Additionally, a PhD in a related field would be desirable. 

This is a fixed-term position until 30/08/2028 based at the University of Greenwich’s vibrant Medway Campus. Ideal start date is 01/09/2026.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Dr Ana-Maria Totea on a.totea@gre.ac.uk 

Should you have any queries please contact the People Directorate Team on peopleoperationsadmin@greenwich.ac.uk 

The university is a brilliant place to work. We aim to become the top modern university in the UK by 2030 and our people are truly at the heart of what we want to achieve. We offer a great set of benefits including an excellent pension scheme, generous holiday entitlement, flexible working options including hybrid working and a genuine commitment to development.

We are looking for people who can help us achieve our Strategic Plan, through the values we expect for our whole university community, of being Inclusive, Collaborative and Impactful. 

Discover why the university of Greenwich is the perfect place to shape your future – watch our Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive's inspiring message on why you should join us Your Future Starts Here.

We encourage applicants to disclose experience of mental health problems so we can support them fully during our recruitment process and make any necessary reasonable adjustments. Any information disclosed will be kept confidential and separate from the job application form. 

We are making significant strides to understand and continuously improve our employees’ experience, and we are committed to implementing progressive diversity talent management.

Further details:

Job Description & Person Specification

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