PhD position in Pharmaceutical Technology within the EU ITN project PIPPI - (ESR6)
A 3-year PhD scholarship in Pharmaceutical Technology is available at the Department Pharmacy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany. The position will be available from 1st of June 2016 on or as soon as possible thereafter. The PhD student will be part of the EU-funded project “Protein-excipient Interactions and Protein-Protein Interactions in formulations” (PIPPI). Apart from the research work itself, the students’ participation in the project will involve tight collaboration with project partners and frequent visits to the involved labs, active participation at the bi-annual network events, as well as training in complementary skills such as project management.
About PIPPI
PIPPI is an Innovative Training Network (ITN) concerning the challenges in formulation of protein-based drugs. PIPPI will combine systematic investigations of the physicochemical behavior of a number of proteins with an in-depth understanding of the molecular interactions behind the macroscopic behavior. The overall objective is to develop methodologies, tools and databases to guide the formulation of robust biopharmaceuticals in the future.
The Technical University of Denmark (DK) coordinates this exciting collaborative project. The academic partners include University of Manchester (UK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München (DE), Lund University (SE), University of Copenhagen (DK), MAXIV Laboratory (SE).
The industry partners involved in the project include: Novozymes A/S (DK), MedImmune Ltd. (UK), Wyatt Technology Europe GmbH (DE), NanoTemper Technologies GmbH (DE).
Each of the project partners contributes world-class competence in particular areas. The core research contribution to this project from the chair of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics at LMU is in the area of research on stable formulations for modern protein drugs, establishing new formulation related protein analytics, fundamentals of understanding the role of protein and excipient molecules in the formulation and protein drug delivery.
This PhD project (ESR6) focuses on the rational design of aggregation-breaking excipients in protein formulations. We want to test a novel concept for designing excipients through modelling of aggregation sites, binding sites and excipient/protein interaction studies for general applicability Up to now excipients for protein formulations are selected empirically from a few substance classes. The interaction of excipients with proteins is either neglected or studied on a basis that does not consider the excipient binding sites nor the individual molecular sites on the protein where aggregation starts. If one could selectively block protein – protein interaction by adding an excipient binding to that “hot spot”, aggregation could be reduced. This concept was already presented in literature for one specific antibody. The general applicability of the concept is unknown and the right degree of binding or balance between destabilisation through structural interaction and aggregation breaking is unknown. Model proteins and molecular variants with different structures and aggregation behaviour shall be studied. Aggregation hot spots need to be found by data mining and modelling plus characterization via NMR and SAXS. Aggregation-breaking small molecules are then modelled onto the aggregation site. Testing of excipient candidates with all necessary methods in short term aggregation studies shall be carried out and finally the compatibility of excipient candidates needs to be evaluated.
Secondment
The successful candidate will visit both academic and industrial partners during the project. This will ensure the buildup of a portfolio of interdisciplinary techniques relevant for the applicant’s project and PIPPI objectives. A particularly important cooperation and secondment is planned for this project with DTU (Prof. Günther Peters).
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering or an equivalent background that provides a strong set of analytical skills. The applicant should have a strong interest in working in a cross-disciplinary environment and should have very good collaboration skills. Strong communication skills and a strong academic record is an advantage. Fluent communication skills in written and spoken English are essential: communication skills in German are helpful but not a prerequisite. The applicant should strive towards scientific excellence, be ambitious and hard working. Only applicants with great talent, which seek to be among the brightest in their field, will be considered.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in the PhD programme of the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU). For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the PhD regulations of the faculty at <a href='javascript:openLinkWindow("http://www.cup.lmu.de/promotion/index.php")' data-cke-saved-href='javascript:openLinkWindow("http://www.cup.lmu.de/promotion/index.php")' "="">http://www.cup.lmu.de/promotion/index.php.
Assessment
The assessment will be made by Prof. Wolfgang Frieß and Prof. Gerhard Winter, both LMU, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, and by the supervisory board of the consortium.
We offer
A highly interesting and challenging Ph.D. degree program at one of Europe's premier academic and research institutions. From distinguished research grant winners to undergraduate students, all members of the LMU Munich community are engaged in generating new knowledge for the benefit of society at large. The chair of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics is well-known for its top research in protein formulation, delivery and analytics as well as for its research on colloidal carriers and its excellent infrastructure.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary is according to standardized EU rules for ITN grants and the appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.
Eligibility for Hiring
In addition to meeting the formal Ph.D. study enrolment criteria at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Muenchen (LMU), candidates must also fulfil the “mobility requirement” imposed by the EU for ITN networks. This means that they must not have worked or resided in Germany for more than 12 months during the three years prior to them joining the project.
Further information
Additional information may be obtained from Prof. Wolfgang Friess, wolfgang.friess@cup.uni-muenchen.de
Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.
Application
Please submit your online application no later than 15 February 2016.
Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
•A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
•Curriculum vitae
•Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (an official translation into English)
•Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
•a personal statement (up to 2 pages) about the applicant’s experience, interests and career goals,
•The candidate should sketch a plan to illustrate how his/her experience will be applicable in the project. This should show the ability to structure the later studies.
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 675074.
