Research Associate (SS13375) - Bath, BA2 7AY

A postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) position is available for 6 months (50% time effort) 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 skin undergo substantial metamorphosis when 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 involves primarily the generation of experimental data to guide 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:

• Identifying a set of critical quality attributes of topical products in their starting “as in the tube” condition, and in the residual film that forms after application to the skin.
• Describing the kinetics of metamorphosis and associated events.
• Investigating formulation compositional changes during metamorphosis and how these may impact the drug properties, including its physical state and thermodynamic activity, and skin absorption.
• Investigating the manner in which this information might be exploited by a PBPK model.

This challenging, fast-paced work will involve a range of techniques such as IVPT, confocal Raman microscopy, X-ray, FT-IR/ATR-FT-IR, viscometry, HPLC and MS tools among others. A successful candidate will be experienced in some of these techniques and will pro-actively propose and test other approaches and tools which may be informative for the research aims. Some background on skin formulation and percutaneous permeation is desirable. 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.

You might be required to perform some experiments at the University of Reading. As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 1- days professional development pro rata per year.

About you:

• Contribute to the choice of formulations which will be used to elucidate the metamorphosis process, and identify relevant, quality and other drug and formulation characteristics that can inform about the metamorphosis process and its impact on drug absorption.
• Conduct experiments to characterise the starting product, the residual phase and intermediate transition phase (as relevant). This may include a broad range of techniques such as solvent evaporation assessment, active physical status (precipitation, supersaturation) HPLC-MS, X-ray, Raman microscopy, FT-IR, ATR-FT-IR, thermogravimetry, viscometry, etc.
• Conduct data processing, analysis, and interpretation in collaboration with research partners and ensure prompt interactions within the team to advance the project.
• Participate in monthly meetings with stakeholders (regulators, industry, research networks, as relevant). The PDRA will play a key role in these meetings presenting latest results and acquiring background information required for data interpretation and the planning of future steps.
• Contribute to scientific outcomes (conference presentations, scientific articles) of the grant.
• Together with other researchers, ensure that University of Bath policies, including but not limited to health and safety, research integrity guidelines and SOPs are observed.

The appointee to the position should understand, and have first-hand experience of the techniques used for characterizing the physical state of drugs and formulations (microscopy and spectroscopic imaging methods) and for investigating compositional changes in formulations. Ideally, some understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences underpinning drug delivery across biological barriers and the formulation and testing of topical drug products will be advantageous.

Enquiries and applications, including a full CV, list of publications/presentations, and two letters of reference, to Prof. Begoña Delgado-Charro, University of Bath, Department of Life Sciences, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, U.K.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university.

We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment. We are very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

This role is offered on a part-time (18.25 hours per week) fixed term basis with an expected start date of 01/03/2026 for an expected period of 6 months.

What we can offer you: We are continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work-life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work.

Closing Date: 11 Feb 2026

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049 Pro Rata Per Annum