Predictive chemistry for novel drug formulations: Physical chemical properties beyond small molecules (Ref: CG-AC-2405)

RNA or DNA-based pharmaceuticals, antibodies, or combined formulations often carry a substantial advantage for both targeting and specific activity against their targets. Such new drug formulations often contain complex molecules and delivery systems, with some of the latest Covid vaccines providing contemporary examples of novel of mRNA-based active compounds delivered inside liquid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations.

Our AstraZeneca-supported project addresses the completely new challenges in chemical synthesis and production these formulations also come with, often based on their very different chemical-physical properties. Prediction of such properties in advance is urgently needed and will have a critical impact on drug discovery and development efforts.

We seek someone passionate about accelerating drugs to market a fundamental understanding of chemical principles, and to investigate the physicochemical properties of oligonucleotide-based formulations via computational chemistry.

As part of our team, you will help to create a framework, using molecular dynamics and machine learning approaches, to provide the missing mechanistic understanding of the physicochemical properties of complex formulations. This will help de-risk and reduce the significant costs currently incurred in the drug development process. You will also have a range of opportunities to gain valuable transferrable skills (including through our doctoral college), network with international and industry partners, and be well-set up for a role in either industry, data science or academia at the end of the programme.

94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

Supervisors

• Primary supervisor: Anna Croft
• Secondary supervisor: Felix Plasser

Entry requirements

Applicants should have at least, or expect to achieve, a 1st or good 2:1 MChem, MEng, or MSci or equivalent in an appropriate scientific discipline including chemistry, physics, computing, biology, or engineering, with a background in and passion for chemical sciences.

You will join a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive research team at Loughborough led by Prof Anna K Croft, and will interact closely with project partner AstraZeneca throughout the programme.

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

How to apply

All applications should be made online by Monday 8 July 2024. Under programme name, select ‘Chemical Engineering’. Please quote the advertised reference number: * CG-AC-2405 * in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents. 

Informal enquiries can be directed to a.k.croft@lboro.ac.uk. , but please note that applications will not be accepted by this route. Successful applicants will be expected to start no later than 1 October 2024.

Apply now