Are you looking for an exciting and ambitious industry demand-led PhD project at the interface of science and engineering, working with a global pharmaceutical company in a cutting-edge research facility?

This project tackles one of the defining challenges in the development of modern drug molecules: the poor aqueous solubility and complex solid-state behaviour of many present-day pharmaceutical compounds.

Poor aqueous solubility remains one of the key challenges in oral drug delivery. Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) are a widely used strategy to enhance the dissolution and bioavailability of such compounds, yet their performance is governed by a complex interplay between material properties, formulation design and processing history.

This PhD project will develop a mechanistic understanding of how the properties of ASDs and tablet formulations control drug release behaviour. Using industrially relevant model systems, the student will investigate how polymer selection, drug loading, tablet composition and manufacturing conditions influence disintegration, gel formation, phase separation and crystallisation during dissolution.

The research combines experimental formulation and processing (e.g. spray drying, tableting), advanced solid-state and microstructural characterisation, and innovative in situ dissolution imaging. Automated experimentation platforms and data-rich workflows at CMAC will enable systematic exploration of formulation and process space, supported by mechanistic modelling of drug release.

This interdisciplinary project sits at the interface of chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences and materials chemistry. It is ideally suited to candidates with backgrounds in chemistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering or related disciplines who are interested in applying engineering principles to real-world healthcare challenges. The work is highly collaborative and offers strong industrial relevance, with opportunities for close engagement with industrial partners and potential industrial placement.