At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop predictive models for pharmaceutical manufacturing and enhance blending processes.
- Company: Collaborative project between AstraZeneca and Newcastle University.
- Benefits: Gain expertise in high-performance computing and access to industrial data.
- Other info: Unique opportunity with excellent career prospects in advanced manufacturing.
- Why this job: Transform pharmaceutical processes and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Minimum 2:1 Honours degree in chemical engineering or chemistry required.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
This industrially focused project, co‑supervised by AstraZeneca and Newcastle University, will develop predictive models for pharmaceutical manufacturing and provide access to industrial data and high‑performance computing facilities. You will gain expertise in particle simulation, experimental design, high‑performance computing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and predictive modelling; preparing you for a career in pharmaceutical, digital manufacturing and data‑driven engineering sectors.
Continuous Direct Compression (CDC) is rapidly emerging as a preferred method for pharmaceutical tablet production. A central challenge is powder blending, where active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) must be uniformly mixed with excipients to ensure precise, consistent dosage and product quality. The student will develop predictive computational models, validated using experiments and industrial data, to transform how pharmaceutical blending processes are designed and scaled. The project combines simulation, high‑performance computing and industrially relevant experimentation, providing a unique opportunity to gain expertise that is highly sought after across pharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing industries. This project is part of the EPSRC CDT in Process Industries: Net Zero. The successful PhD student will be co‑supervised by academics from the Process Intensification Group at Newcastle University.
Key Details
- Number of awards: 1
- Start date: 1 October 2026
- Award duration: 4 years
- Application closing date: 22 July 2026 (advert closes at midnight)
- Sponsor: EPSRC
- Supervisor: Dr Colin Hare (colin.hare@newcastle.ac.uk)
Eligibility Criteria
You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (usually chemical engineering or chemistry). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential. This studentship is available to home students only.
