Stilling:
PhD Candidate Position in Pharmaceutics
Deadline: January 2, 2019
UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, has a PhD position available for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). The position is affiliated with the Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group (DTDRG), headed by Prof. Natasa Skalko-Basnet, and the appointment is for a period of 4 years. The PhD fellowship (The Research Fellowship) is in the area of Pharmaceutics at the Department of Pharmacy, and affiliated to the project entitled: Multifunctional antimicrobial nanofibers for improved localized wound therapy?
The PhD position is for a fixed term of 4 years with the objective to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for employment, and the program period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD Candidate shall participate in the faculty’s organized research training, and the PhD project should be completed during the period of employment. Information about the application process for admission to the PhD program, application form and regulations for the PhD degree are available at the following address: Faculty of Health Sciences.
Further information about the position and project is available by contacting:
- Associated Prof. Ann Mari Holsæter (ann-mari.holsater@uit.no) or
- Prof. Natasa Skalko-Basnet (natasa.skalko-basnet@uit.no)
Application and submitted documents (see below), shall be sent electronically via the application form available on www.jobbnorge.no.
The position’s affiliation
The position is affiliated to The Department of Pharmacy (IFA), which consists of seven research groups: Drug Transport and Delivery (this PhD position affiliated to), Pharmacology, Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry, Microbiology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacoepidemiology, Infection Biology, and Computational Pharmacology. The Department has 32 permanent positions. In addition, there is a variable number of PhD student-, Post.Doc. and part time positions. The Department is responsible for a bachelor’s and a master’s program in pharmacy. Teaching is given at both undergraduate and graduate levels. For more information, visit the Department’s web pages: https://uit.no/farmasi
About the group
The Drug Transport and Delivery Research Group (DTDRG) focuses on pharmaceutical technology as scientific discipline, with particular interests in optimizing the drug delivery systems as means for improved bioavailability and the therapeutic effects of the drug at the targeted site, and to prevent/reduce side effects and the inheritance of drug resistance. The group aims at gaining a deeper understanding of transport processes of drugs in the body and its inter-relationship with drug delivery systems. The group deals with various drug dosage forms and delivery systems (advanced formulations) destined for oral, parenteral and topical route of drug administration. The advanced drug dosage forms and delivery systems should increase the amount and persistence of drug in vicinity of target cells while reducing the drug exposure to non targets cells. The group currently consist of two professors, two associate professors, two technicians as well as post doc and PhD students. The members of the research group are also responsible for courses in pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics at bachelor, master and PhD level. You can learn more about the research group by visiting the Drug Transport and Delivery webpage.
About the research project
In this project we aim at developing active nanofiber dressings targeting the treatment of medium to highly exuding chronic wounds. The nanofiber dressings will be prepared applying suitable methods, such as electrospinning. We want to develop a multifunctional wound dressing, in which several active ingredients will be combined within the same formulation. Thus, antimicrobial and immunostimulating agent from both natural and synthetic origin will be embedded in the nanofibers either directly or as liposomally entrapped agents. The nanofiber formation will be confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and all nanofibers will be evaluated by their swelling index and texture, and the biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity will be evaluated in vitro. Finally, the most promising formulations will be tested for their wound healing potential in vivo.
We strongly encourage career development not only limited to authorship of research manuscripts arising from this work, but also including travel, conferences and collaboration.
The appointment is for a period of 4 years including 25% teaching duties starting earliest in March 2019.
Qualification requirements
The candidate should hold a Master’s Degree in pharmacy or equivalent. Candidates at the final stages of Master Degree (completed degree before January 2019) are also qualified to apply. A Master thesis within pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics related to novel drug delivery systems, especially for localized drug therapy, will be considered as an advantage.
Candidates should preferably have experience in working with advanced delivery systems, including their development and characterization, as well as antimicrobial evaluation. The candidate must be able to work systematically, independently and have the ability to work in an interdisciplinary research team. Emphasis will be placed on the communicative and collaborative skills, as well as personal suitability and the motivation and interest in the project.
The successful applicant must fulfill the requirements for admission to the faculty’s PhD program, cf. Regulation for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The applicant must speak and write English fluently and he/she has to be able to document proficiency in English equivalent to Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification, refer to the website about PhD regulations at UiT. Due to teaching duties, Scandinavian language speaking candidates will be preferred.
Working conditions
The normal period of employment is four years. The nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year, distributed as 25 % duties per year, shall be used for teaching or other duties for the University according to the guidelines, cf. Guidelines for the research fellow’s duties.
The successful applicant must be willing to teach at the Department of Pharmacy´s various courses. The duties will be allocated based on the applicant's qualifications and the needs of the Department of Pharmacy, and may include lecturing, leading seminars, and leading or assisting in laboratory courses.
Remuneration for the position of PhD candidate is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017 or code 1378 depending on qualifications. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted.
More practical information for working and living in Norway can be found here: Welcome to UiT!
Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. During this assessment process, emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s potential for research as shown by:
- master thesis or equivalent within the specified field
- any other academic works
- experience and skills in laboratory work relevant for the project
- documented ability to work independently
- skills in scientific writing in English
- Scandinavian language skills
- knowledge and interest of the project’s specific topic
- interest and motivation for this specific project
In addition, consideration may be given to work experience or other activities of significance for the implementation of the PhD studies. The applicants who are assessed as the best qualified will be invited to an interview. The interview serves, among other things, to clarify the applicant’s personal suitability for the position.
Application
Application and submitted documents (see below) should be sent electronically via the application form available on www.jobbnorge.no. Candidates that do not provide required documentation or cannot prove the equivalence to required degree will not be considered for the position.
Application documents
- 1-2 page cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
- CV containing an overview of education, supervised professional training and professional work
- A complete list of publications and with the applicant´s contribution to the work specified
- Copies of diploma and transcript from completed degree(s) (translated to English or a Scandinavian language; certified copies must be provided upon request)
- 2-3 reference letters with contact details of the referees
- Documentation of English language proficiency (equivalent to Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification or TOEFL test)
- A copy of the Master’s thesis (the thesis will upon request be treated in confidence)
Applicants shall also refer to the Supplementary regulations for appointment to postdoktor (Postdoctoral Research Rellow), stipendiat (PhD) and vitenskapelig assistent (Research Assistant) positions at the University of Tromsø and to the Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for posts of postdoktor (Postdoctoral Research Fellow), stipendiat (PhD), vitenskapelig assistent (Research Assistant) and spesialistkandidat (Resident).
Applications will only be considered if all requested application documents are received before the application deadline.
General questions concerning the organization of the working environment, such as the physical state of the place of employment, health service, possibility for flexible working hours, as well as questions about the PhD program, may be directed to the head of administration at the Department of Pharmacy, UiT, Morten Boland Jørgensen (telephone: +47 776 46 458, e-mail: morten.b.jorgensen@uit.no).
UiT – The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and therefore encourages qualified applicants to apply regardless of their gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background.
UiT – The Arctic University of Norway is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and will therefore emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.
Personal data given in an application or CV will be processed in accordance with the Act relating to the processing of personal data (the Personal Data Act). In accordance with Section 25 subsection 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, the applicant may request not to be registered on the public list of applicants. However, the University may nevertheless decide that the name of the applicant will be made public. The applicant will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.