The University of Bath is inviting applications for the following PhD project to commence as soon as possible (date to be agreed with the lead supervisor).
SUPERVISORY TEAM:
OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH:
Currently the development of long acting injectables (LAIs) is of high interest for the pharmaceutical industry. An understanding of drug performance at the site of administration is central to formulation development. Accurate simulation of the conditions at the site of administration is essential in order to reveal the critical factors affecting drug solubilisation and dissolution/ release from the formulation. Biorelevant in vitro testing conditions is regularly used in formulation development for orally administered drug products to aid prediction of the in vivo performance.
The aim of the proposed study is to fill the gaps in our understanding of physiological factors affecting drug solubilisation and dissolution/ release of active ingredient from LAIs, and in particular how to replicate the critical in vivo features in in vitro testing. These gaps include effects of fluid properties and composition at the site of administration and understanding which are the dominant effects on drug solubility and dissolution/ release from LAIs. These studies will result in the development of biorelevant media in which the critical components of the in vivo fluids will be incorporated. Studies on finding appropriate surrogates for some physiological components (i.e. due to high costs, practicalities) to be used in these media will be included. This work will result in the development of biopharmaceutics tools needed to predict in vivo performance of LAIs.
Project keywords: Biopharmaceutics, Long Acting Injectables, Biorelevant media, prediction of in vivo performance.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject, preferably in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry or Engineering. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.
ENQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Nikoletta Fotaki on email address [Email Address Removed].
NOTE: Applications may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found; therefore, we recommend that you contact Dr Nikoletta Fotaki prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.
Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Pharmacy & Pharmacology.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
FUNDING ELIGIBILITY:
We will consider applications from both Home and International students; HOWEVER, the PhD studentship available will cover tuition fees at the Home rate only.
Home students: the available PhD studentship will cover your tuition fees in full as well providing a maintenance stipend, as detailed in the Funding Notes section below.
International students: you will require your own private means to cover the difference between the Home and Overseas tuition fee rates for each year of the PhD. You MUST explain in the Finance section of the online application form how you would intend to fund the fee difference and we will not be able to consider candidates who do not explain this adequately. The difference payable for the 2023/24 academic year would be £21,900 and the amount payable for each subsequent year of study would be liable to increase. If you meet the academic excellence criteria to qualify for a Vice Chancellor's International Scholarship and were successful in obtaining this award, the fee difference payable in the 2023/24 academic year would reduce to £6,100 (subject to annual increase).
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FEE STATUS:
The criteria to qualify as a Home student (eligible for Home tuition fee status) are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements: UK nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), those with Indefinite Leave to Remain and EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme). This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
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