PhD Fellow in Pharmaceutics

About the role

The Department of Pharmacy (IFA) at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT in Tromsø, invites applications for a four‑year PhD Fellowship in Pharmaceutics. The project focuses on developing multifunctional nanofibrous wound dressings for hard‑to‑heal and burn wounds, using sustainable bioactive polymers and marine‑ and agricultural‑derived actives.

Key responsibilities

• Design, formulate and electrospin nanofiber wound dressings from bio‑based polymers.
• Optimize formulation, processing parameters and scale‑up strategies with sustainability in mind.
• Characterize dressings using microscopy, mechanical testing, swelling, bioadhesion and other advanced techniques.
• Evaluate biological performance in cell assays, bacterial strains and biofilm models.
• Collaborate with industrial and academic partners, including the university’s TTO and Norinnova AS.
• Contribute to teaching and other departmental duties (approximately 25 % of the time).

Required profile

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field.
• Fluency in English and ability to work in an international research environment.
• Documented laboratory experience in drug formulation and nanomedicine.
• Strong interest in nanomedicine, biopolymer chemistry and topical drug delivery.

Required skills

• Electrospinning of nanofibers.
• Pre‑formulation studies, especially with nanofibers and liposomes.
• Characterisation of nano‑formulations (advanced microscopy, texture analysis, swelling, bioadhesion).
• Experimental techniques for mechanical and biological testing of wound dressings.

What we offer

• A four‑year fixed‑term PhD contract with a nominal three‑year programme length.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities and interdisciplinary research groups.
• Opportunities for international collaboration and potential industrial translation.
• Teaching experience and professional development within the university.