Characterisation of nozzles for Spray Drying of Inhaled medicines

Job description
Characterisation of nozzles for Spray Drying of Inhaled medicines
Spray drying, particle size measurement, atomisation

Are you currently pursuing a master’s degree with a burning interest in pharmaceutical development and pharma industry? Then this master’s thesis project at AstraZeneca might be of interest to you!

The thesis is aimed for: Master's students
Program area:  Chemistry/modelling
Student Location: AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
Start: January 2022 to June 2022, or as agreed with the student

A focus for AstraZeneca Gothenburg is to develop inhaled drugs for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma. A critical domain in this work is to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) particles with appropriate properties e.g. size and morphology, where spray drying is one of efficient formulation platforms. To this end, understanding the relationship between material properties, processing conditions, and product characteristics of spray drying process is an essential component.

Responsibilities
This project aims to characterize the droplet distribution and correlate their characteristics to spray dried particles.

Responsibilities include using advanced particle sizing techniques, e.g. laser diffraction, to measure the size distribution of droplets produced by different atomization nozzles at different conditions e.g. air-to-liquid ratios. This will be accompanied by characterising spray dried powder properties using e.g. scanning electron microscope, in order to build the relationship between material properties, processing conditions and product characteristics. 

If it is of interest, student will also have the option to perform CFD simulations of the atomization process and validate the simulations with experimental data

The work is to be conducted from January to June 2022, or as agreed with the student.

Qualifications
Essential Requirements
Experience in working in the labs
Solid understanding in transport phenomena 
Pursuing a master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Excellent problem solving skills  

 
Desirable Requirements
Understanding of particle sizing, particle image velocimetry
Experience programming e.g. Python, Matlab
Experience in CFD


Application
Randstad Life Sciences is cooperating with AstraZeneca in this recruitment process. We only handle applications sent through Randstad’s website.

All chosen candidates need to pass a background check and an alcohol and drug test before starting the project.

Deadline for application: 2021-12-15

For more information: Veronika Knudsen veronika.knudsen@randstad.se or Kerstin Karlsson kerstin.karlsson@randstad.se

About the company
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.