PhD position (M/F) in the formulation of crystal-stabilized emulsions for pharmaceutical applications

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The objective of this PhD project is to optimize and explore the potential of emulsions stabilized by flavonoid crystals for pharmaceutical applications. The active substance itself, in crystalline form, stabilizes the emulsion by forming a solid barrier at the water/oil interface, thereby protecting droplets from destabilization phenomena such as coalescence. This type of system thus eliminates the need for an additional component solely dedicated to emulsion stabilization. The aim will be to optimize these emulsions for topical applications, particularly for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. The selected active substances will be poorly water-soluble flavonoids in order to efficiently stabilize water–oil interfaces. Submicron-sized crystals of the active substances will be prepared using different top-down and bottom-up approaches, enabling various morphologies and, consequently, different surface properties. They will be characterized by X-ray diffraction, DSC-TG, and TEM. Their solubility will be determined by UV-visible spectroscopy, and their wettability will be evaluated through contact angle measurements. Crystal size and zeta potential will then be characterized by dynamic light scattering. Pickering emulsions will subsequently be formulated and physicochemically characterized using a particle size analyzer and optical microscopy to study emulsion stability and the evolution of droplet size and size distribution. The localization and distribution of crystals at the water/oil interfaces will be determined by confocal microscopy and cryo-SEM. Rheological behavior (viscosity and viscoelasticity) will be analyzed and optimized, particularly by modifying the external phase (e.g., by adding polymers). For the treatment of skin diseases, one or more active substances will be encapsulated, which may lead to different release kinetics that will be investigated using dialysis membranes or Franz diffusion cells.

Keywords: Emulsions, Pickering, crystals, crystallization, co-encapsulation, co-delivery, pharmaceutical formulation, physicochemistry, pharmaceutics, topical applications, skin diseases.

The application must include a CV, a cover letter, at least one reference, and academic transcripts (university or engineering school).

Your Work Environment

The Institut Galien Paris-Saclay (UMR CNRS 8612) primarily aims to design new pharmaceutical systems and strategies for controlled drug delivery and targeted administration. It is located at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Université Paris-Saclay in Orsay. The PhD candidate will join the Physical Pharmacy team. The work will be carried out in collaboration with the SPMS laboratory at CentraleSupélec (Gif-sur-Yvette) and the Saint-Louis Research Institute (INSERM U1342), located at Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions