Technical University of Denmark - Postdoc in Development and Fabrication of Biomaterial Patches for Buccal Delivery of Peptides

The aim of this postdoc position is to develop and fabricate layer-by-layer patches intended for buccal drug delivery. The focus will be on i) develop layer-by-layer patches of biomaterials encapsulating peptide formulations and ii) find suitable fabrication methods to realize prototypes of the layer-by-layer patches.



The postdoc will be a part of the Pharmaceutical Technology group. In the group, we are exploring and developing targeted and advanced drug delivery systems to be able to e.g. deliver vaccines and peptides/proteins by the oral route. With the ultimate goal of enhancing the systemic uptake to prevent and/or cure diseases or to have a targeted release of drug in specific locations in the gastro-intestinal tract. The group is part of the Drug Delivery and Sensing (IDUN) section at DTU Department of Health Technology. The IDUN section is highly cross-disciplinary with more than 40 members focusing on development of micro and nanotechnology based sensors, detection systems and drug delivery systems.



Research field

You will mainly be working on development and fabrication of the multifunctional biomaterial patches encapsulating peptide formulations. In the development phase, there will be a main focus on material selection of each of the layers of the patches. In addition, prototypes of the multi-layered patches need to be fabricated in small scale to further perform in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies. 



The project is part of a Horizon Europe grant and will be carried out in close collaboration with the other research partners in the consortium together with close cooperation with colleagues in the IDUN section.



Responsibilities and qualifications

You will be responsible for material selection, development of the layer-by-layer patches encapsulating peptide formulations for the buccal route and fabrication of different designs of the patches finding the optimal technique to fabricate the layer-by-layer patches in a fast and reliable fashion.



As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).



You are expected to have a background in chemistry, material sciences, physics or micro/nanotechnology. If you have another background that fits the overall scope of the project you are of course also welcome to apply. Experience with biomaterials and/or microfabrication will be considered a major plus.



You are expected to be highly independent, self-motivated and enjoy collaboration in a multidisciplinary academic environment. You have the ability to drive the project forward and to set and achieve ambitious goals. You enjoy supervising PhD students together with supervision of BSc and MSc students. The project is highly interdisciplinary and we expect that you enjoy teamwork and are good at coordinating your work with your colleagues. 



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 terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.



The period of employment is 2 years, preferably starting 1 January 2023 or shortly after this, and it is a full-time position.



You can read more about career paths at DTU here.



Further information

Further information may be obtained from Associate Prof. Line Hagner Nielsen (lihan@dtu.dk).



You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english.



If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.



Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 29 October 2022 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.



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



DTU Health Tech

DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.



Technology for people

DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear misision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.