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PhD scholarship in Microcontainers for Oral Vaccine Delivery

DTU Health Technology
Monday 28 Jan 19

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Apply no later than 24 February 2019
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DTU Health Tech is a newly established department with around 350 employees. The department conducts cross-disciplinary research broadly within Health technology. The IDUN section is a large and highly multi-cultural group, with different research branches focusing on drug delivery and biosensing. Come and join our exciting research!

The IDUN section at DTU Health Tech wishes to employ a PhD student for 3 years to work in a highly interdisciplinary center of excellence focusing on investigating micrometer sized polymer containers for oral delivery of vaccines. 

Responsibilities and tasks 
The task of the project is to explore the use of micrometer sized containers in oral vaccine delivery. The project includes the following activities;  

  • Choice of demonstrator vaccine formulations. 
  • Design, realization and characterization of microcontainers loaded with vaccine formulations.
  • Study of fundamental vaccine delivery performance depending on microcontainer geometry, size and surface texture.
  • In vitro / in vivo testing 
The work will be carried out in close collaboration with SSI - Statens Serum Institute and different national and international research groups, and within the framework of the Center of Excellence – IDUN (www.idun.dtu.dk), which is run in collaboration between DTU and University of Copenhagen. In IDUN, our motto is ‘bringing science to life’ and we believe in openness, inclusiveness, having ambitions, making a difference and collaboration. 

You will play a role in the drug delivery section of the research section, interacting with several members working in different disciplines, such as biology, microfabrication, pharmaceutical science and polymer science. Initially, you will work with well- characterized vaccine formulations and the focus will in the first phase be on translating the formulation to microcontainers. The project is highly interdisciplinary and we expect that you enjoy teamwork and are good at coordinating you work with your colleagues. 

Qualifications
Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or immunology or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. A master’s project or previous work experience regarding oral drug delivery and/or in vitro /in vivo testing would be beneficial.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide. 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Anja Boisen, Dennis Christensen and Line Hagner Nielsen.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Main workplace will be DTU Lyngby Campus, but the candidate will also be expected to carry out some work at SSI-Statens Serum Institut.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here. 

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Professor Anja Boisen, +45 4525 5727 and Assistant Professor Line Hagner Nielsen, +45 4525 6843.

Application
Please submit your online application no later than 24 February 2019 (local time). To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form. The following must be attached in English: 
  • A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
  • Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Health Technology (Department of Health Technology) is situated in the northern part of Copenhagen. DTU Health Technology is a new department utilising sciences across the traditional boundaries of technology, thereby enabling innovative solutions for the benefit of society. DTU Health Technology has approx. 300 staff members of which PhD students comprise approx. 130 people. 40% of the department comprises of international employees.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and scientific advice. Our staff of 6,000 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society, and our 11,200 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government and public agencies.