PhD Scholarships in Piezoelectric Biopolymer Technology and Devices for Drug Delivery on Demand – DTU Health Tech

If you are establishing your career as a scientist and you have the ambition to develop groundbreaking smart technologies and devices for healthcare, this is the right research project for you
If you are establishing your career as a scientist and you have the ambition to develop groundbreaking smart technologies and devices for healthcare, this is the right research project for you.

The aim of the PhD project is to explore and develop new piezoelectric biomaterials and technologies for controlled drug release in smart devices by the application of ultrasound. The focus of the activity will be i) to produce thin films of biomaterials with high piezoelectric properties and loaded with drug molecules, ii) to develop MEMS devices based on piezopolymers, and iii) to develop and optimize a strategy for the remote release of drugs on demand. Within the framework of IDUN, we have extensively explored engineered micro-encapsulated pharmaceutical compounds and more advanced oral drug delivery concepts. In addition, we have expertise on developing piezoelectric materials and device fabrication methods for sensors and actuators for the human body. The PhD candidate will be a part of the IDUN center of excellence, led by Prof. Anja Boisen at DTU Department of Health Technology, and will work under the supervision of Prof. Massimo De Vittorio. IDUN is a highly cross-disciplinary research center with over 40 members, that focuses on development of micro and nanotechnology-based sensors, detection systems and drug delivery devices.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be on the design, realization, and test of devices such as smart pills or flexible MEMS transducers based on piezoelectric biopolymers such as chitosan and cellulose, the two most abundant biopolymers on earth. You will work with nearby colleagues and with academic, clinical, and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Develop biopolymers thin films embedding drugs with high piezoelectric properties.
• Tailoring the optical, mechanical, piezoelectric and electrical properties of the thin films by advanced and innovative fabrication methods for improving retention and drug delivery on demand.
• Design and fabricate piezoelectric devices by advanced micro and nanofabrication methods.
• Employ ultrasound in order to trigger and speed up the drug release from the piezoelectric biopolymers. Tests will be executed first in vitro and then, after successful validation, in vivo.
• Teach and supervise BSc and MSc student projects, and be co-supervisor for PhD students

The research activity will be carried out within the framework of the Center of Excellence – IDUN. In IDUN, our motto is ‘bringing science to life’ and we believe in openness, inclusiveness, having ambitions, making a difference and collaboration.

You will play a role mainly in the “Optomechanical Biointerfaces” research group coordinated by prof. Massimo De Vittorio of the IDUN section, and you will interact with several members of IDUN working in different disciplines, such as biology, microfabrication, pharmaceutical science and polymer science. The project is highly interdisciplinary, and we expect that you enjoy teamwork.

You are expected to have a background in materials science, chemistry and/or microfabrication technologies. You are highly independent, self-motivated and enjoy collaboration in a multidisciplinary academic environment. You have the ability to drive the project forward, supervise students and achieve ambitious goals. You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. The expected start date is 1 January 2025 or shortly thereafter.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Massimo De Vittorio, [email protected].

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 13 October 2024 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Health Tech
With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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