Research Associate in Bath

A postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position is available on a full-time basis for 12 months to contribute to the project: Development and Validation of a Multi-functional, Multi-purpose Quantitative Tool for Dermal Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling.

Background: Topical drug products applied to the skin undergo substantial metamorphosis as they are rubbed into the application site: volatile excipients like water and alcohols evaporate, and drug and excipients absorb into the skin. The resultant residual film on the skin surface has quite different composition, structure and properties compared to the starting formulation that “came out of the tube”. Predicting drug absorption during metamorphosis and from the residual phase is an unsolved challenge. This multi-institution collaborative grant funded by the US-FDA aims to expand the capabilities of an existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model simulating drug skin absorption and disposition to incorporate the metamorphosis of topical products following skin application. The final aim is developing tools that predict the performance of topical medicines and support bio(in)equivalence decisions.

This opportunity falls within an ongoing collaboration with the University of Reading, the Colorado School of Mines, the company Simulations Plus, and the FDA. Bath’s contribution to this research involves primarily the generation of experimental data to guide the development of this enhanced PBPK model by formulating products and the characterization of their metamorphotic events and their kinetics.

Specifically, this PDRA will contribute to the project by:

• Formulating a series of drug-vehicle combinations chosen for their potential to inform about metamorphotic events and provide relevant data for modelling purposes.
• Characterizing formulations by measuring drug stability and solubility in selected vehicles (initial formulations and after metamorphosis) and performing other tests (e.g., pH, viscosity, microscopy) as needed.
• Investigating drug and excipients (as feasible/relevant) skin permeation and disposition.
• Linking permeation data to metamorphosis events and formulation properties in collaboration with other researchers.
• Investigating how experimental data might be exploited by a PBPK model.

This challenging, fast-paced work will involve extensive formulation, IVPT and solubility tests and thus, quantitative analysis by HPLC. A successful candidate will be experienced in these techniques and will independently and pro-actively develop HPLC methods and propose alternative analytical approaches and tools which may be informative for the research aims. A background on skin formulation and percutaneous permeation is required. The successful candidate will have demonstrated capacity for carrying independent research including provision of technical reports, scientific outputs and efficient data presenting and sharing with the extended grant team and funders.

As a member of Research Stall at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 1‑day professional development pro rata per year.

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis with an expected start date of 01/03/2026 for an expected period of 12 months.

For an informal discussion, please contact Begona Delgado Charro at prsbd@bath.ac.uk.

£38,784 to £46,049. Grade 7