Postdoctoral Scholar – Dr. Nicole Brogden Laboratory

We are seeking two highly motivated and independent postdoctoral scholars, with training and expertise in the field of pharmaceutics and drug formulation/delivery; experience in topical and transdermal drug delivery systems, skin biology, or similar is highly desirable. The positions are available to begin immediately. The initial duration of the two positions will be for one year with a possible renewal dependent upon funding and satisfactory performance.

The research projects provide opportunities to have major, positive impacts on human medicine by improving dermal drug delivery techniques for both acute and chronic conditions in diverse patient populations. Major therapeutic areas of focus in the lab include treatments for substance use disorders, chronic wounds, acute pain conditions, and dermal response to microneedles in individuals with skin of color.

The projects will, in particular, focus on determining significant in vitro and in vivo factors impacting absorption of small molecule drugs through microneedle-treated skin. The postdoctoral scholar will address key questions about how drug properties, formulation, and in vivo skin characteristics impact permeability and flux through microneedle-treated and intact skin. Various projects are available, depending on the specific needs and interests of both the Principal Investigator and the postdoctoral scholar.

This position will offer numerous opportunities for the right candidate to hone their experimental, project management, and scientific writing skills by working closely with the Principal Investigator on projects in the lab and working on grants, manuscripts, and study protocols. The position will also offer the candidate the opportunity to learn how to work with human research subjects in clinical microneedle studies. Last, the postdoctoral scholar's expertise will be strongly enhanced in the general areas of pharmaceutics, dermal drug formulation and delivery, translational and interdisciplinary sciences, skin biology, and mentoring of junior scientists.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Maintain a strong awareness of current scientific literature, particularly in the areas of microneedles, transdermal drug delivery, topical drug delivery, permeation enhancement, and other areas directly related to the assigned scientific projects. The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to actively apply new concepts as appropriate.
• Publish research outcomes in distinguished and high impact scientific journals and create abstracts and presentations for outside scientific meetings and conferences.
• Mentor junior scientists and students in the lab.
• Maintain multiple projects in the lab with a high level of independence and autonomy.
• Complete and maintain required training for animal and human research studies (as appropriate for the assigned projects) and maintain high quality research records.
• Maintain regular communication with the lab Principal Investigator.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Excellence in the field as evidenced by completed research projects, presentations, and publications.
• Strong, hands-on experience in some combination of the following areas: pharmaceutics, drug delivery, drug formulation.
• An ability to work independently while being an integral part of a cooperative, productive team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Curiosity and a passion for topical and transdermal drug delivery.
• Experience with dermatology research techniques including tape stripping, permeation studies, static and/or flow-through diffusion cells, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements, and use of a dermatome.
• In depth experience in animal studies and animal handling.
• Experience working on human subject research studies.
• Hands-on experience with some combination of the following: microneedle fabrication, drug release and permeation studies, drug quantification (HPLC, UPLC, UV, fluorescence, ECD, and/or LC-MS), formulation of dermal drug delivery vehicles, rheology, dynamic light scattering, and skin imaging.