Co-op Position 1 - Summer 2024

Mon, January 08, 2024

Summary

Research Assistant - Spray Drying Experimental Research

Solid State Pharma Inc. (SSPI) is a pharmaceutical research company focusing on crystallization engineering and solid-state science. SSPI is the partner to pharmaceutical and natural product companies to bring value through understanding the solid state of the drug candidates, extending the patent life of the drug and also developing crystallization processes that will lead to optimal physical properties, morphology and particle size distribution through crystallization engineering. This would result in consistent bioavailability and robust scale-up and manufacturing.

Certain drugs have poor solubility but high permeability through human tissues. Improving the rate of dissolution of these drugs is crucial to improve their bioavailability, when administered orally. Preparation of an amorphous spray dried dispersion (SDD) of an API with a water soluble polymer is growing in popularity with an increase in the number of drugs in this class, when a viable salt form or a cocrystal form which would potentially boost the rate of dissolution could not be made. This current work involves use of model APIs to investigate the impact of spray drying conditions on product attributes and potentially optimize the isolation process. In addition to working on amorphous SDDs, other aspects involving spray drying may be explored. The research is experimental, involving operation of a spray dryer and solid-state characterization with a possibility of publication.

Job Responsibility

• Performing experiments using a spray dryer and characterizing the resulting solids using applicable instruments, i.e. XRPD, DSC, HPLC, PLM etc.
• Performing solubility measurement of solids in solvents
• Record all the results in accordance with SSPI best practices
• Write high quality weekly and final reports in accordance with SSPI best practices
• Routinely present project results to supervisor
• Follow the safety rules and housekeeping principles to maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Skills

• Knowledge about Microsoft Office is a must (Excel)
• Be willing to work in a fast-paced lab environment and conduct experimental work
• Wet chemistry experience (weighing, pipetting, safe handling of common chemicals) is preferred
• Familiarity or experience with techniques such as XRPD, DSC, HPLC is a plus
• Must have completed at least 4 semesters in Experimental Science or Engineering
• Minimum cumulative GPA of B

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Contact information

Please submit resume and cover letter to career@solidstatepharma.com