Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) Oral Drug Delivery
The BioMed X Institute in Heidelberg, Germany, is establishing a new, fully funded research group in the field of:
Translocation of Complex Macromolecules Across the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier
If you hold a PhD or Master’s degree and have an outstanding track record or strong interest in the field of drug delivery, we invite you to apply with a project proposal for this position in our new research group (1 group leader, 2 postdoctoral researchers, 2 research assistants).
Each BioMed X project team is sponsored by an industry partner. The sponsor of this call for application is Janssen.
Complex macromolecules, including biologics such as monoclonal antibodies, have transformed the treatment of immune-related diseases, but they need to be delivered by injection, which limits their use relative to oral delivery. Although there are several techniques available to shield these macromolecules from the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, little progress has been made to translocate complex macromolecules across the intestinal epithelial barrier into systemic circulation.
The aim of this project is to discover novel transport mechanisms in the human intestinal tract which could be utilized for oral systemic delivery of diverse therapeutic modalities (e.g. peptides, oligonucleotides, and antibodies). The resulting delivery platform should enable the development of a new generation of oral immunotherapies for the benefit of patients. The key objectives include:
To model and explore the induction mechanisms of transcytosis pathways in the human intestinal epithelium;
To systematically screen for the most efficient chemical or biological moieties that induce transcytosis of complex biomolecules across the intestinal epithelium;
To validate the efficiency of the resulting platform with a selection of diverse therapeutic modalities.
Proposals building on very original ideas supported by first experimental findings are particularly encouraged.
Candidates for postdoctoral positions are expected to have completed a PhD or equivalent within the last four years and a certain degree of specialization in one or more relevant cutting-edge technologies.
