PhD Position in Nanomedicine Formulation Engineering for Cancer Treatment

Help redefine cancer treatment through nanomedicine.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to work at the cutting edge of lipid nanoparticle design & molecular modeling.

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 looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research to join a collaborative project between the Precision Therapeutics group (Dr. Alina Rwei) in the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Complex Fluid Processing group (Prof. Johan Padding) in the Department of Process & Energy at Delft University of Technology. The position will be formally embedded within the Precision Therapeutics group.

In this PhD project, you will develop innovative formulation strategies for lipid-based drug delivery nanoparticles, with a particular focus on the design and optimization of externally triggerable lipid nanomedicines. Combining molecular modeling with experimental validation, you will investigate how formulation parameters influence nanoparticle stability, ultrasound triggerability, and biological performance, contributing to the development of precision therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.

The project is embedded in a strong academic–industrial network and offers close collaboration with leading pharmaceutical partners, including Merck KGaA and Johnson & Johnson. The project also involves close interaction with other research teams within the SPARC consortium, working on molecular mechanisms of nanoparticle purification and storage, as well as engineering solutions for downstream processing.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of nanomedicine, molecular modeling, and process engineering, while contributing to the future of personalized cancer therapy.

Key Responsibilities

Lipid-based nanoparticle formulation design & stability optimization

• Design lipid-based nanoparticle formulations and optimize stability.
• Investigate the impact of lipid composition, cargo type and size, and solvent conditions on nanoparticle performance.
• Develop formulation strategies that balance mechanical robustness required for purification and storage with ultrasound responsiveness for triggered drug release.

Computational simulations with Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics (CGMD)

• Use Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics (CGMD) to model formulation- and environment-dependent nanoparticle properties such as bending stiffness and surface tension.
• Investigate ultrasound-triggered release mechanisms.

Empirical validation of nanoparticle properties & ultrasound-triggerability in a biologically relevant environment

• Empirically validate simulated nanoparticle properties and ultrasound-triggerability in biologically relevant environments.
• Design and evaluate ultrasound triggerability of lipid-based nanoparticles that can activate the tumor microenvironment.
• Perform in vitro ultrasound-triggered release studies under controlled conditions and validate performance in vitro, for example in tumor-on-chip platforms, and in vivo.

Job requirements

• MSc or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology or a related field.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to work across computational and experimental domains.
• Excellent communication skills in English and motivation to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in lipid-based nanoparticle formulations and/or coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations 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.

Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as about 3,600 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, the faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century.

Its scientists conduct fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, 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 performance requirements are met.

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.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

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.

Please note:

• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel to help prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by candidates, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. The processing of personal data in this context is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest.