MSCA PhD position: Design and phase diagram of eutectic and amorphous binary mixtures of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients for enhanced dissolution and stability Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Spain

PhD opportunity in MSCA Doctoral Network IDEAS at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC-BarcelonaTECH), Barcelona, Spain.

This 3-year, full-time doctoral position (DC2) is focused on the design and phase-diagram study of eutectic and amorphous binary mixtures of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients/coformers for improved dissolution and stability. The project sits at the intersection of pharmaceutical technology, chemical physics, computational chemistry, and computational physics, with a strong emphasis on solid-state behavior, phase equilibria, and data-driven molecular design.

The doctoral researcher will investigate equilibrium and non-equilibrium phase behavior of small-molecule binary mixtures, including API–API and API–coformer systems, to understand eutectic formation, amorphization, kinetic stability, and dissolution performance. The methodology combines machine learning and generative models with experimental characterization, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), hot-stage microscopy, thermal analysis, spectroscopy, melt-quenching, relaxation studies, and dissolution/release kinetics in biorelevant media.

The position is based at the EEBE-CDB campus of UPC in Barcelona, Spain, with two 3-month secondments: one at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, to study pressure effects on phase diagrams, and one at Janssen Pharmaceutica in Belgium for industrial R&D exposure and molecular-interaction studies. Expected outcomes include experimentally verified eutectic systems, a mechanistic framework for stable amorphous drug formulations, and trained graph neural networks for eutectic formulation design.

Funding is provided through Horizon Europe / MSCA under the IDEAS Doctoral Network (Grant Agreement 101312168). The gross monthly package includes a living allowance of 2805 EUR, mobility allowance of 520 EUR, and a family allowance of 360 EUR if applicable. The annual gross salary is stated as 39,902.14 EUR plus family allowance where relevant.

Eligibility and preferred profile: applicants must hold an MSc or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Technology, or a related field granting access to PhD studies; they should have experience in computational research and at least one relevant computational technique such as molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics, or machine learning. Knowledge of molecular materials of pharmaceutical interest and physical characterization methods is a strong advantage. English proficiency at CEFR B2 or higher is required, with C1/IELTS 6 or above preferred. Applicants must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule, not already hold a PhD, and meet the IDEAS conflict-of-interest conditions.

To apply, candidates must use the IDEAS recruitment portal and submit the required application form, research exposé, CV, academic records, proof of English if available, and two letters of reference. All documents must be emailed to [email protected]. The application deadline is 30 November 2026, although late applications may be considered until positions are filled. The doctoral candidates are expected to start between 1 March 2027 and 1 September 2027.