PhD Position - Advanced Biopharmaceutical Characterization

An interdisciplinary project with the aim to develop new technologies for the detection of subvisible to visible particles in complex drug product formulations within the pharmaceutical industry.
Would you like to work with pharmaceutically relevant peptides/proteins in a collaboration between the Technical University of Denmark - DTU and Novo Nordisk? And would you like to join the journey to help Novo Nordisk solve challenges in the characterization of next generation drug products?
Then apply now for this exciting PhD position!
The position
The pharmaceutical industry is entering a transformative phase with the rise of complex biopharmaceuticals, such as microcarriers, suspensions, and stem cell therapies. However, existing analytical technologies are insufficient to meet the characterization needs of these novel drug products. To address this challenge, Novo Nordisk A/S is offering a three-year industrial PhD position in collaboration with DTU Health Tech (Prof. Anders Kristensen, [email protected]), aimed at developing new characterization technologies for next generation complex biopharmaceuticals.
The cutting-edge PhD project will focus on developing innovative microfluidic cells to separate pharmaceutically relevant foreign extrinsic particles (impurities) from complex co-formulated drug product entities. You will explore and integrate advanced detection systems, such as Raman spectroscopic sensors and high-speed image sensors, and develop machine learning algorithms for particle identification. The goal is to evaluate the scalability and industrial application of this combined system that could revolutionize the traditional analysis and quality control of complex biopharmaceuticals.
Key Responsibilities
As a candidate you will:

• Design, build, and optimize different microfluidic cells for particle separation from complex formulations
• Develop, test and integrate detection systems, such as Raman spectroscopy and high-speed imaging
• Develop machine learning algorithms for the identification of extrinsic particles
• Evaluate the scalability and industrial feasibility of the developed analytical platform
• Collaborate with Novo Nordisk's Department of Analytical Support to resolve characterization challenges
• Scientific dissemination within the biopharmaceutical field

Qualifications

• As an applicant you must have:
• Master's degree in physics (preferably in optics/microfluidics), chemistry, mechanical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or related areas
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Fluent in English, excellent communication skills and teamwork abilities
• Interest and passion in working on cross-disciplinary science in pharmaceutical area

It will help your application if you have experience with one or more of the subjects below:

• Development of microfluidic chips/cells
• Spectroscopic characterization, especially Raman Spectroscopy
• Developing machine learning algorithms
• Biophysical characterization of proteins or drug product formulations

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to work at the forefront of biopharmaceutical research.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment at both DTU and Novo Nordisk.
• A collaborative and supportive research environment.
• Training in advanced characterization techniques and exposure to industrial applications.
• The chance to contribute to the development of transformative technologies that could make novel therapies accessible to patients.

Application procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Your application must include:

• Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page)
• Full CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records: Master's degree diploma (including grade transcripts). Applicants with a master's degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale been used
• It may help your application furthermore to include:
• A publication list
• A recommendation letter

Contact
For questions in general about the position:
Reach out to Principal Scientist Erik Skibsted, Process Analytical Technology (Email: [email protected])
For questions regarding the biophysical parts of the project:
Reach out to Sr. Research Scientist Jingying Liu, Biophysical Characterization (Email: [email protected])
Deadline
1 November 2024
Please note that only online applications will be accepted. Selected candidates will be invited to an interview at the Institute of Health Tech at DTU, where they will present based on a small assignment that was given beforehand.
Novo Nordisk A/S and Technical University of Denmark - DTU commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our applicants.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we're life changing.