Postdoctoral fellow in Drug Delivery for Women’s Health Full-time

Postdoctoral Fellow In Drug Delivery For Women's Health

Uppsala University, Department of Pharmacy

Uppsala University hereby declare the following position to be open for application:

Postdoctoral Fellow In Drug Delivery For Women's Health

As part of the prestigious FORTE-funded interdisciplinary research center WHOLE: An Interdisciplinary Centre For Women's Health Over The Lifecourse – at the intersection of reproductive transitions, mental health, and pain – we hereby announce a postdoctoral research position in the Advanced Drug Delivery group at the Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University.

The Department of Pharmacy at Uppsala University is an interdisciplinary environment at the center of the pharmaceutical arena. With frontline research, first-class education and extensive collaborations we constitute a driving force in the development of our academic field. 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, in vitro ADME models, advanced in vivo methods 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 sciences, playing a key role in shaping the future of pharmacy in both Sweden and globally.

Our scientific focus areas in selection: Molecular Pharmaceutics • Advanced Drug Delivery • Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology • Pharmacokinetics • Pharmacodynamics • Pharmacometrics • Clinical Pharmacy • Pharmacoeconomics • Pharmacoepidemiology • Pharmacotherapy • Social Pharmacy • Biopharmaceutics • Biologics.

Within WHOLE, internationally leading academic research groups collaborate to establish an interdisciplinary and sustainable research environment for women's health. Led by Uppsala University, in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet, the centre conducts cutting-edge research aligned with Sweden's national initiative on women's health and disease. The focus is on conditions at the intersection of reproductive transitions, mental health, and pain—such as endometriosis and postpartum depression—areas that remain underexplored and characterized by significant knowledge gaps. WHOLE brings together 17 disciplines across medicine, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities, integrating biological, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives across the female life course. Through innovative approaches, including longitudinal studies, experimental and AI-based analyses, and patient-centered research, the centre aims to generate new knowledge, diagnostic innovations, and more equitable models of care in close collaboration with patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

As an integrated member of this interdisciplinary team, you will engage in high-profile, multidisciplinary research within a well-funded and supportive environment and are expected to contribute to a project of significant scientific and societal relevance.

The postdoctoral fellow will join the Advanced Drug Delivery group led by Professor Alexandra Teleki at the Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, and affiliated with SciLifeLab. The group integrates materials science, nanomedicine, cell- and molecular biology, and pharmaceutics to develop advanced drug delivery systems. Its overarching aim is to translate innovative nanomedical concepts into clinically relevant, patient-compliant diagnostics and therapies. More information at: telekilab.org.

This project is part of a research program aimed at developing next-generation drug delivery devices for women's health. The focus is on engineering a novel intravaginal ring (IVR) platform that integrates microneedles with drug-loaded reservoirs to enable sustained and localized therapy. The postdoctoral researcher will design and fabricate 3D-printed IVRs with tunable geometry and drug-release characteristics, incorporating advanced formulations into reservoir compartments. The candidate will evaluate device performance using in vitro and ex vivo vaginal models, including studies of release kinetics, mechanical properties, and interactions with vaginal tissue and microbiota. The project combines advanced manufacturing, drug delivery, and biological evaluation, with the goal of developing a long-acting, patient-compliant therapeutic platform for local treatment of women's health-related conditions.

Focus areas of the position: Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology • Nanomedicine • Vaginal Drug Delivery • Biomaterials • Microneedles • Vaginal Infections • Biomedical Engineering

Duties: 100% post-doctoral research fellow. The post-doctoral fellow will primarily devote his/her time to experimental research work.

Qualifications: The successful candidate should have a PhD in Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, Material Sciences or other relevant area. Experience in biomaterials, drug delivery, or formulation development is required. Hands-on experience with fabrication techniques such as microfabrication, 3D printing, or coating technologies is highly desirable. Experience with in vitro and/or ex vivo biological models, particularly epithelial or mucosal systems, is considered a strong advantage, as is familiarity with permeability assays and imaging techniques such as confocal microscopy. A solid understanding of physicochemical characterization methods and interdisciplinary research combining materials science and biological evaluation is highly valued.

The successful candidate must be able to work independently and take own initiatives, but also as part of a team. Emphasis is placed on personal suitability. The applicant must also have good communication skills in English, both written and oral, due to the highly international work environment.

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply you must have a PhD or equivalent degree completed in a relevant area within three years of the application deadline. If you received your PhD earlier but special circumstances exist, you are also eligible to apply. Special circumstances refer to time off due to illness, parenteral leave, commissions of trust etc.

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

• a CV including a complete list of publications,
• a personal 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,
• contact details of at least two references (email and telephone number),
• authorized copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades, and
• copies of the three most important publications that the applicant wants to invoke.

About the employment The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 2026-08-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Alexandra Teleki, email: alexandra.teleki@uu.se

Please submit your application by 8 May 2026, UFV-PA 2026 /1089.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all of our 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of Sweden's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/

The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for employment.

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Type of employment – Temporary position

Employment expires – 2028-07-31

Contract type – Full time

First day of employment – 2026-08-01

Salary – Individuell lönesättning

Number of positions – 1

Full-time equivalent – 100

City – Uppsala

County – Uppsala län

Country – Sweden

Reference number – UFV-PA 2026/1089

Published – 10.Apr.2026

Last application date – 08.May.2026