PhD Position Scalable Lipid Nanoparticle Purification Technologies

PhD Position Scalable Lipid Nanoparticle Purification Technologies: Shape the future of cancer therapy through nanomedicine process engineering. Join as a PhD candidate to design lipid nanoparticles using computational modeling with real-world validation.

Job description

SPARC (Scalable Personalized Nanotherapeutics for Cancer Treatment) is an ambitious research program dedicated to making advanced cancer therapies more effective and accessible, particularly for patients with hard-to-treat “cold tumors.” By developing personalized nanomedicines, SPARC aims to improve patient survival through innovations such as tumor-on-a-chip platforms that reduce reliance on animal testing, and novel manufacturing technologies that enhance therapeutic efficacy and product stability.

As part of this program, we are seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student with an interest in cross-disciplinary research to join a shared position between the Precision Therapeutics group (Dr. Alina Rwei) in the Chemical Engineering department and the Complex Fluid Processing group (Prof. Johan Padding) in the Process & Energy department of TU Delft. The position will formally be at Precision Therapeutics.

The project is embedded in a strong academic–industrial network and offers close collaboration with leading pharmaceutical partners, including Merck KGaA and Johnson & Johnson.

This project focuses on purification of the output stream of lipid-based drug delivery nanoparticles manufacturing systems. These streams typically contain solvent, lipids and unencapsulated drug components, which need to be removed by dilution and subsequent ultra- or diafiltration. Current purification systems, typically based on (alternating) tangential flow filtration, suffer from loss of expensive lipid nanoparticles and membrane fouling, necessitating expensive regular replacement of the membranes.

Your task will be to engineer innovative purification systems, e.g. by changing membrane materials and designing novel filtration flow geometries, that minimize loss of lipid nanoparticles and maximise throughput. In the design you will explore modularization options for relatively quick and low-cost replacement of filtration system components. The project also involves close interaction with other research teams within the SPARC consortium, e.g., molecular mechanisms for membrane fouling are investigated.

Key Responsibilities

• Computational modelling with CFD simulations
• Investigate the flow, diffusion and filtration in tangential flow filtration systems
• Implement correlations to model build-up of fouling and its effects on filtration capacity
• Develop novel flow geometries that balance throughput (maximising production rates) and mechanical stress on lipid nanoparticles (minimising loss of LNPs)
• Experimental verification
• Experimentally verify the use of alternative membranes for LNP purification.
• Experimentally verify modularisation options for the purification train, including use of quick connectors.

Job requirements

• MSc or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nanotechnology or related field
• Analytical mindset with ability to work across computational and experimental domains
• Have excellent communication skills in English, and want to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience in computational fluid dynamics simulations or pharmaceutical downstream processes is a plus

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

• Hours per week: 38-40
• FTE: 1,0

Please note:

• Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed.