近日，英国纽卡斯尔大学发布了一项化工领域全额博士奖学金的申请通知。本奖学金将全额资助英国本土或国际学生的学费，并提供每年最低£18,622（2023/24 UKRI标准）的免税生活津贴。研究期间在合作企业的差旅和住宿费用也将全部涵盖在内。

基本概况

Research Field: Towards accelerating process development of the pharmaceutical agitated filter drying process

Application Closing Date: 7th July 2024

Number Of Awards: 1

Start Date: 16th September 2024

Award Duration: 4 Years

Sponsor: EPSRC/GlaxoSmithKline

项目简介

Most active pharmaceutical ingredients are produced by crystallisation from solution, following which they are filtered, washed, and dried. These steps are typically carried out in an agitated filter dryer (AFD), which heats the liquid through the vessel walls whilst the bed is agitated to improve heat and mass transfer. This agitation causes undesirable particle size changes due to breakage and agglomeration. The rates are dependent on process parameters (e.g., impeller speed and operation) and material properties (e.g., hardness and flowability).

This research aims to understand how process parameters and initial particle size distribution affect size distribution changes in AFDs, by developing and carrying out drying experiments in a small-scale jacketed vessel, which mimics the AFD process. A population balance model will be developed from the experiments and coupled with differential equations for moisture evaporation and temperature rise throughout the bed, to predict particle size distribution from a given drying operation. Such predictions will be compared to pilot or industrial scale results.

An approximately 3-month placement at the GSK will be offered at a suitable time of the project. A key outcome of the PhD will be development of a process workflow to apply the prediction method, to ensure the company can implement the developed approach to predict and improve the performance of their drying processes.

申请资格

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (e.g. chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. 

Both home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply, and applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.  

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme

申请方式

您必须通过纽卡斯尔大学的官方申请网站进行申请：

• Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.
• Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:
• search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8030F
• Research Area: Chemical Engineering
• select ‘PhD Chemical Engineering (full time) - Chemical Engineering' as the programme of study
• You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:
• a ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• the studentship code ENG123 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

联系人及导师

Colin Hare

colin.hare@newcastle.ac.uk

Colin Hare is a senior lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Newcastle University and a visiting senior lecturer at the University of Surrey. His research specialises in powder flow, particle breakage and the discrete element method. His research is focused on creating fundamental relationships between material properties, process conditions and product performance in powder-based manufacturing processes, utilising experimental and computational techniques. He graduated with MEng and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Leeds. He received the Young Researcher Award at the UK Particle Technology Forum 2012 and the IChemE Nicklin Medal 2015. He is a Young Professional Editorial Board member of Particuology. He is the vice-chair and former secretary and treasurer of the IChemE Particle Technology Special Interest Group (PTSIG) and was a member of the EPSRC Early Career Forum in Manufacturing Research from 2016–2020.