Faculty of Engineering School of Chemical and Process Engineering Centre for the Digital Design of Drug Products

Research Fellow in Modelling of Separation and Drying Processes for Pharmaceutical Materials (Position Fixed Term for up to 36 months but up to no later than 28th February 2019)

A new industrial research Centre for the Digital Design of Drug Products is being set-up as part of the £20.4M Advanced Digital Design of Pharmaceutical Therapeutics (ADDoPT) project, which has been funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative. The project is industry-led and is being delivered by a consortium of companies and academic institutions.

The aim of the ADDoPT project is to accelerate the translation of molecules into medicinal products. This project will optimise the manufacturing processes of pharmaceutical products to effectively supply the current and next generation of medicines.

Your position at the University of Leeds is directed towards the development of constitutive models for manufacturing processes and product performance. In particular, the post involves the development of models to simulate filtration, washing and drying processes in agitated filter dryers in order to predict the impact of such unit operations on the product quality and optimise manufacturing processes. Our aim is to develop heat transfer model integrated with DEM and/or FEM and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict drying time and to quantify the effect of agitation on individual crystals. This research work is led by the University of Leeds and involves collaboration with AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, BRITEST, Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC), GlaxoSmithKline, Perceptive Engineering, Pfizer, Process Systems Enterprise (PSE) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (SFTC) Hartree Centre together with the Universities of Cambridge and Strathclyde.

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake internationally-leading research in the field of molecular-based process and product engineering, developing modelling approaches which are suitable for exploitation within the other work packages in the ADDoPT project. You will have, or expect to receive shortly, a relevant PhD in Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline. You will have experience in the development and/or use of CFD for transport processes (for example, heat and mass transfer). Knowledge and experience of discrete element method (DEM and/or FEM) and multi-zonal modelling would be highly desirable. Good knowledge of simultaneous heat and mass transfer is desirable. Good communication skills, an ability to work as part of a team, and a track record of contributing to publications in high-impact factor journals are also essential requirements.

The post is available from 1st April 2016 (start date to be negotiated), and represents an outstanding opportunity for an enthusiastic and dedicated researcher to join an established and internationally leading research team.

‘The University of Leeds’ commitment to women in science has been recognised with a national accolade. The University and the Faculty of Engineering have received the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of our success in recruiting, retaining and developing/promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).’

The University offers generous terms and conditions of employment, a wide range of benefits, services, facilities and family friendly policies. Full details are available on the Human Resources web pages accessible at www.leeds.ac.uk/hr/index.htm

University Grade 7 (£31,656 - £37,768 p.a.)

Informal enquires to Prof. Frans Muller, tel+44 (0)113 343 2933, email [email protected] or Prof. Kevin Roberts, tel+44 (0)113 343 2408, email [email protected] or Dr. CaiYun Ma, tel+44 (0)113 343 7809, email [email protected].

Job Reference: ENGPE1058

Click here for further information about working at the University of Leeds www.leeds.ac.uk/info/20025/university_jobs

Job Description

Responsible to: Head of School Reports to: Prof. Frans Muller

Job Summary

This position has the following research objectives:

 To produce fundamental models for simulating the filtration and drying processes in agitated filter dryers to support the design and optimisation of processes that isolate solids from slurries;  To develop a predictive integrated multiscale model covering: (i) crystal breakage during filtration, (ii) impurity removal efficiency of washing, (iii) heat and mass transfer during drying and (iv) crystal attrition during drying.

More specifically, you will be expected to contribute in the area of process modelling with the aim of analysing and developing multiscale models for agitated filtration and drying processes, based on detailed process balances, thermodynamics, and rate processes such as (i) filter bed formation due to pressure filtration of a slurry (ii) fluid flow through the filter bed to simulate washing (iii), evaporation, heat transfer and crystal nucleation & growth in filter beds during drying (iv) breakage and attrition of crystals due to fluid-particle, particle/particle and particle/agitator interactions. You will be also expected to integrate your models with those from other ADDoPT work packages. This would involve, e.g. integrating particle breakage and agglomeration processes.

You will be expected to adapt these models for use in the control of pharmaceutical filtration and drying processes and to implement them within commercial process system software platform, such as gPROMS. The latter will involve working closely with PSE to iteratively integrate models developed.

Background Context

The ADDoPT project will develop a top-down, knowledge-driven digital design and control approach for optimising the manufacturing process of solid-form drug products. This holistic approach involves bringing together a range of molecule-specific, multi-scale and multi-phase predictive models. These predictions will be linked to experimental data and big data approaches in order to help understand risk, along with enhancing the design of products, services and manufacturing processes. The scope of the work encompasses the design of the physical and chemical properties of solid-form drug product ingredients, together with the processes needed for manufacture. In the latter case, this spans unit operations ranging from the isolation of the target drug product ingredients through to their manufacture in practical dosage forms.

The project consists of eight integrated and inter-related work packages and the team at the University of Leeds will be enhanced by a number of new positions, of which your position will be one. All posts will be based in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering at Leeds to facilitate and deliver the University’s commitment to the ADDoPT project and the associated new Centre for the Digital Design of Drug Products. The new appointees will work collaboratively with other ADDoPT project researchers, both at Leeds and with the other research groups.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Work effectively to enhance the reputation of the Centre for the Digital Design of Drug Products and the University of Leeds in the field of process modelling of solid isolation from slurries and drying, relating to the digital design and control of drug products.

You will undertake the following duties:

Specific Duties

 Analyse and develop fundamental models and methods for the assessment of filtration, washing and drying processes with respect to product quality  Integrate the fundamental models developed within this work with those developed in the other work packages  Generate detailed process balances of the filtration and drying processes and use DEM and/or CFD to simulate the macroscale hydrodynamics, mixing and heat transfer so as to predict operability parameters like filtration & drying time, filter cake structure and permeability  Apply and couple where necessary DEM, FEM and/or CFD to understand the impact of processing on crystal particle size distribution changes  Deploy the models delivered through this work for the design and control of pharmaceutical isolation processes; e.g. use flow models to minimise particle breakage, or use heat transfer models to prevent over drying of the filter cake to minimise the possibility of product’s polymorphic form change  Work closely with PSE researchers in order to implement the models developed into the PSE’s gPROMS commercial software platform  Work positively and inclusively within the ethos of the collaborative ADDoPT project, including: . Prioritising attendance at project meetings together with preparing and delivering presentations and bespoke reports (including at other partner UK sites) . Interacting strongly and enthusiastically with other researchers, contributing to joint discussions, proactively setting up networks to share information and, where appropriate, making contacts for future collaboration . Supporting the development of new and existing national and international collaborations . Supporting and mentoring any associated Masters and Doctoral students, in the latter case associated with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Particulate Products and Processes . Engaging with and participating in project needs in terms of training and technology activities

General Duties

 Develop initiative, creativity and judgement in applying appropriate approaches to research activities to find solutions to meet the project aims  Analyse and interpret data and, through this, draw conclusions on the research outcomes in order to critically evaluate research results  Ensure good day-to-day progress of work, and maintain good records and laboratory notebooks  Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a larger team of researchers both across the School and University, together with relevant industrial and academic partners  Write up results of the research (e.g. reports, and research articles) for publication in leading international peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at consortium meetings and at international conferences and workshops, in order to maximise the external impact of the research  Input into the development of research objectives and proactively consider research outputs, suggesting revisions to the Principal Investigator where necessary, to ensure meeting the project objectives  Keep up-to-date with developments in the field going on elsewhere, take responsibility for furthering your personal knowledge of the specialised research area in which you work and share this knowledge  Ensure satisfactory compliance in one's work with respect to university policy in health, safety and wellbeing  Carry out any other reasonable duties associated with the post as may arise from time to time, consistent with the grade of the post

Key Working Relationships

You will report to Prof. Frans Muller and through him be responsible to the Principal Investigator at Leeds, Prof. Kevin Roberts, and ultimately to the Head of School. You will be supported by the ADDoPT project manager and Senior Research Fellow (Dr CaiYun Ma) as well as by the wider ADDoPT team both at Leeds and at the project’s other collaborating centres.

ADDoPT is a highly dynamic and interactive national industrial research project and you will be expected to work collaboratively with other members of the research team both at Leeds and with other academic and industrial partners. This may involve periods of collaborative research field- work away from Leeds, e.g. through participating in industrially-led case studies, carrying out studies using national high performance computing facilities, etc.

You will be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues at AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, BRITEST, Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, GlaxoSmithKline, Perceptive Engineering, Pfizer, Process Systems Enterprise and the STFC Hartree Centre together with the Universities of Cambridge, Leeds and Strathclyde.

Career Expectations

The University of Leeds is committed to developing its staff. All staff participate in the Staff Review and Development scheme and we continue to work with individuals, supporting them to maximise their potential.

Progression to a higher grade is dependent on an individual taking on an increased level of responsibility. Vacancies that arise within the area or across the wider University are advertised on the HR website - http://jobs.leeds.ac.uk - to allow staff to apply for wider career development opportunities.

University Values

All staff are expected to operate in line with the University’s values and standards, which work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together. More information about the University’s strategy and values is available at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/.

Person Specification

Essential

 A relevant PhD (or expected to receive shortly) in Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline  Knowledge and experience of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or related modelling methodologies such as Finite Element Modelling (FEM) and Discrete Element Modelling (DEM)  Experience in the analysis and development particle processing models in which transport phenomena, thermodynamic and rate processes are coupled  A track record of contributing to publications in high-impact factor journals  A commitment for delivering the main duties and responsibilities as listed  Good time management and organisational skills, with the proven ability to meet deadlines  Proven ability to work effectively on one’s own, showing initiative and creativity  Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team, showing good communication skills

Desirable

 Knowledge of DEM for estimating the effects of particle/particle and particle/surface attrition, and particle agglomeration  Experience in the coupling of DEM/FEM with CFD  Experience in the analysis of agitated drying processes of organic materials  Familiarity with packages like multi-physics COMSOL  Familiarity with the basic principles of heat and mass transfer modelling in processing units  Knowledge of zonal modelling techniques  Experience of working collaboratively with industry or experience of working in industry  Experience in project supervision at undergraduate, Masters and/or PhD levels

Additional Information

The Partnership

The Partnership has been developed by students and staff and describes the mutual expectations of us all as members of the University of Leeds community. More information about the Partnership is available at http://partnership.leeds.ac.uk

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for this position. However, applicants who have unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, including any pending criminal proceedings must indicate this in the ‘other personal details’ section of the application form and send details to the Recruitment Officer at [email protected].

Disabled Applicants

The post is located in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering. Disabled applicants wishing to review access to the building are invited to contact the department direct. Additional information may be sought from Recruitment Officer, e-mail [email protected] or tel + 44 (0)113 343 1723.

Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their disability but will still be covered by the Equality Act once their disability becomes known.

Further information for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health conditions is available in the applicant guidance.

Further information about the University, Faculty and School

The University of Leeds is a Top 100 university for Engineering and Technology - Times Higher World University Rankings 2014.

The Faculty of Engineering is one of the largest engineering groupings in the UK with over 700 staff, 3,000 students and an annual turnover of around £60m.

Our focus is on providing research based teaching and supervision, inspiring our students and through this helping our students to achieve their goals and ambitions.

The range and scope of our research is extensive and covers all of the major engineering disciplines, including cross cutting themes such as energy, materials, medical engineering and artificial intelligence, with theoretical, experimental and modelling work underpinning all areas. This provides an ideal platform for multidisciplinary research, enabling us to undertake high-impact research in areas recognised as providing critical global challenges. Much of our research is linked to industry, with major collaborators throughout the UK and Europe. We have also aligned our Faculty with industry sectors such as digital technologies, energy, high value chemicals and medical technologies, and undertake further interdisciplinary research in areas as diverse as functional materials, robotics and water.

Teaching and research is delivered through the following five schools:

 School of Chemical and Process Engineering  School of Civil Engineering  School of Computing  School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering  School of Mechanical Engineering

There is a friendly atmosphere and student-focused approach to undergraduate and postgraduate education. We pride ourselves on the professionalism of our staff and the quality of the research environment, promoting excellence by offering a range of cutting edge programmes, many in conjunction with industrial sponsors and collaborators. www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk

The School of Chemical and Process Engineering has a track record of high quality research delivered by world leading academics in three established research centres of excellence: Energy Research Institute; Institute for Materials Research; Institute of Particle Science and Engineering. With 100 academic and research staff and over 800 students (from 70 countries) the School is a major international player in the field of chemical, process, energy and materials engineering.

 Ranking: 4th in the UK for Chemical Engineering by The Complete University Guide; 11th in the Guardian league table; 6th in the Times Good University Guide; 8th in the Sunday Times league table.  Courses accredited by the relevant professional bodies (check website for full details).  Research feeds directly into teaching, which means students will learn about the latest developments within their subject from world-class academics.  Strong industrial focus and links ensure the topicality of the degree programmes and the impact of School’s research.  85% of recent graduates have successfully secured positions with organisations or have gone on to further study. (2010/11 DLHE survey).  Vibrant industrially-focussed graduate school of ca. 200 research students supported through three dedicated EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training (Bioenergy; Complex Particulate Products and Processes; Next Generation Nuclear)  Excellent research facilities which provide our students with a creative and stimulating learning environment including laboratories equipped with the latest technology for advanced particle science and engineering research together with computational modelling facilities for chemical product design. These span the areas of molecular synthesis, compound isolation/purification, separation and formulation together with in-process analysis and product characterisation.  Specialist facilities include X-ray diffraction and scattering, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, surface analysis, kilo-scale chemical process and formulation laboratories, access to national facilities such as high performance computing, synchrotron and neutron sources etc. http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/chemical/