PhD student in Molecular Pharmaceutics Full-time

PhD Student in Molecular Pharmaceutics

The Department of Pharmacy (IFF) at Uppsala University has an interdisciplinary environment at the center of the pharmaceutical arena. With frontline research, first-rate education and extensive collaborations we constitute an important driving force in the development of our academic field. IFF has approximately 150 employees and a revenue of nearly 180 million SEK. In this inspiring environment our rich diversity of research groups, several of international prominence, develop and conduct work of great scientific importance. Among our core competences are computational modelling and simulations, PKPD, in vitro ADME models, advanced in vivo methods, development of biological medicines, as well as patient and societal aspects, from optimizing the use of drugs in individuals to societal pharmaceutical policies. Together, we form a unique cluster of academic competences within pharmaceutical science, playing a key role in shaping the future of pharmacy in both Sweden and globally.

The PhD students will be linked to the research group Molecular Pharmaceutics. The group takes a multidisciplinary approach and combines computational chemistry and bioinformatics with cell- and molecular biology, biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutics and physical chemistry to find new ways to predict and define rate-limiting barriers to the absorption and organ distribution of different types of drugs. We anticipate that our research will provide insights into new mechanisms for drug absorption, disposition and delivery, which will support development of new therapeutic strategies for efficient oral drug delivery.

The PhD student will work in the field of enabling drug formulations and biopharmaceutical profiling, within the project 'A virtual pediatric intestine for prediction of absorption in children'. The project targets to develop validated computational tools suitable for virtual optimization of dosage forms and dose regimes with the aim to safeguard efficient and safe drug absorption in children. The project combines extensive experimental work within characterization of natural and simulated intestinal fluids of children, that are used to establish a solubility database suitable for modelling. The project will further advance, expand and combine predictive computational models of solubilization (machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI)-based) and mechanistic computational models (making use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations) to predict and understand patient-specific and population-related drivers pushing intestinal absorption. The developed tools will then be combined with in-house computational models for formulation design. The focus of the PhD project is on data generation with experimental methods coupled to establishment of ML models. The work is performed in collaboration with Uppsala University Children Hospital.

The scientific focus areas of this project are: Molecular Pharmaceutics • Drug Delivery • Oral delivery of poorly water-soluble compounds • In vitro in vivo correlation • Computational modelling and simulation.

Applications from highly motivated candidates are welcome. The successful candidate should have a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical sciences, Chemical/biochemical engineering, Biomedicine or similarly relevant field, and have good communication skills in oral and written Swedish and English. Previous experience of any of the core subjects are meritorious. The holder of a PhD-student position shall primarily devote her or his time to own research studies. Other departmental work, such as educational or administrative duties, can be part of the position (max 20%). Of time spent on other work duties, the time for research will be extended to correspond to 4 years full-time studies.

The application, preferably written in English, should be submitted via the application portal of Uppsala University and contain the following:

• a letter in which the applicant describes her- or himself, motivates why she/he has applied for the position, states relevant qualifications and indicates research interests and plans for the future.
• a CV including at least two references (phone number and email), and
• copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades, and copies of your master thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you want to invoke.

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 June 2026 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Christel Bergström, e-mail christel.bergstrom@uu.se

Please submit your application by 20 April 2026, UFV-PA 2026 /888.