PhD Studentship - Development of a novel excipient screening platform for Paediatric Oral formulations

Life and Health Sciences - Studentships

Location:  Aston University Main Campus
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (3 Years)
Basis:  Full Time
Closing Date:  23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 24 February 2019
Interview Date:  To be confirmed    

Main Supervisor: Professor Afzal Mohammed; Associate Supervisor: Dr Dan Kirby

Background: The lack of suitable medicines for the paediatric population means that unlicensed formulations are often prepared and administered by healthcare professionals, which entails exposing this vulnerable population to risks in terms of safety and clinical efficacy. Another particular limitation in paediatric medicine development is the direct application of knowledge and principles from adult studies, thereby completely disregarding the specific needs and requirements of paediatric patient and prescriber preferences and acceptability of medicines.  

The proposed project will develop a paediatric formulation decision making tool based on physico chemical properties of drug candidates. The key focus of the project will be to evaluate the suitability of commonly used formulation excipients for the development of age appropriate medicines. Key consideration will be given to the toxicity profile of excipients, practicalities of dosage form development, analytical characterisation of materials and formulation and stability evaluation. This project provides an ideal opportunity to work in collaboration with an industrial partner, Proveca, who specialise in the development of paediatric medicines.  

Aston University was ranked 5th out of 94 UK Higher Education Institutions for research in Allied Health Professions (REF 2014) and was ranked 1st for research environment. Additional information about research in the School can be found at http://www.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/. Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Afzal Mohammed at: a.u.r.mohammed@aston.ac.uk or Dr Dan Kirby at: D.J.Kirby1@aston.ac.uk. The successful applicant will be based in the Pharmaceutics department of the Pharmacy School at Aston University.

Financial Support:

The studentship is open to Home/EU students only and comprises of a tax-free stipend at the 2018/19 RCUK rate of £14,777 per annum and payment of Home/EU tuition fees only. The studentship is available for three years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year, with an anticipated registration of April 2019.

Application Requirements: 

Eligible Applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons.) Degree of either 1st Class/ 2.1 or MSc/MRes in a relevant subject.

EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills, with a minimum overall score of 93 (Internet Based) (with a minimum score in each section of: R: 18, W: 23, L: 19 and S: 19) in TOEFL or IELTS with minimum marks of 6.0 in each section and an overall band of 6.5.

To apply, please complete the on-line application form at:

http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/postgraduate-research/apply/ , choosing Research Full-time Health Sciences – April 2019. Please quote Reference: ‘PhD_April 2019_Afzal or Dan’ on your application