The formulation team within Aston have a strong background in the reformulation of medicines and application of genomic technologies such as microarrays to further understand the performance of these medicines in vitro. We are seeking to formalise Pharmaceutical Engineering skills within a team of pharmaceutical scientists to build on our knowledge of Process Analytical Technology. Combining your skills from a background in engineering we will look at mechanical and electronic devices to monitor and control the process of freeze drying.

Biopharma Technology Ltd. (BTL) is an independent company based in Winchester, Hampshire, specialising in providing contract R&D in the field of freeze-drying, chiefly to the pharmaceutical, vaccine and diagnostics sectors. In the past 11 years, it has worked on more than 700 different materials for over 300 clients worldwide. BTL has also developed two analytical instruments that provide critical information about a material prior to freeze-drying; this information enables the user to understand whether the material can be processed without further amendment (e.g. reformulation) and what conditions should be employed in order to achieve a stable freeze-dried product. The company is now looking to develop technologies that enable the process to be monitored real-time and in situ, which should ultimately lead to more efficient drying and fewer issues in scaling the process up to the industrial manufacturing level.

The project, due to commence in October 2011, will investigate the application of Process Analytical Technology to monitoring and controlling the freeze drying process. The project will also aim to work towards developing engineering solutions that will enable more successful and efficient processing and better dry state storage stability for a wide variety of biologicals including enzyme and cell systems.

In the 2008 RAE, the Drug Delivery group forming part of the Aston University Allied Healthcare and Professions submission which was ranked 3rd in the UK, based on volume of research given a 3* or 4* rating (internationally excellent and world-leading), out of 61 institutional submissions – underlining our research excellence.

Financial Support
The studentship comprises of a BBSRC maintenance stipend for the student (currently £16,090 per annum tax free) and payment of Home/EU tuition fees.
The studentship is available for four years under the BBSRC funding model, subject to a satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year, and is available for October 1st 2011 registration.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Andrew Ingham E-mail: ( a.j.ingham-at-aston.ac.uk)

Scholarship Application Deadline:31 May 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application