Ionic Innovations: Next-Generation Drug Delivery (Ref: CG-AC-2521)

About the Project

Ionic liquids (ILs) and Deep Eutectic solvents (DES) have recently been used as drug delivery vectors with formulations that can allow effective transdermal action, with high potency to enhance skin permeation and low tendency to induce skin irritation (doi: 10.1002/adfm.202004257), with the advantages of non-invasiveness, ease of application and termination, and avoidance of first-pass metabolism encountered by oral delivery.

Other formulations enable targeted delivery, through piggy-backing on existing biological systems (doi: 10.1002/advs.202305484). However, why some ionic solvents are appropriate for drug delivery and others are not is not yet fully understood.

As part of our team, you will use computational chemistry, including molecular dynamics and chemometrics techniques, to more broadly understand the structuring within medically-relevant ionic solvents, and how this structuring relates to macroscopic properties relating to medicines stability and efficacy. You will establish design rules for the next generation of drug-delivery agents, as part of a broader collaboration with the University of Mississippi. As the project is multidisciplinary, training will be provided as required.

You will also have a range of opportunities to gain valuable transferrable skills (including through our doctoral college), network with international and industry partners, and be well-set up for a role in either industry, data science or academia at the end of the programme.

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead:

Professor Anna K Croft a.k.croft@lboro.ac.uk

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/chemical/staff/anna-croft/

Name of secondary supervisor:

Professor Eden Tanner

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have at least, or expect to achieve, a 1st or good 2:1 MChem, MEng, or MSci or equivalent in an appropriate scientific discipline including chemistry, physics, computing, biology, or engineering, with a background in and passion for chemical sciences.

You will join a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive research team at Loughborough led by Prof Anna K Croft, with opportunities for collaboration with our project partners at the University of Mississippi and other internationally leading groups in academia and industry.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Closing date of advert: 3rd August 2026

Start date: July 2026, October 2027

Full-time/part-time availability: Full-time 3 years, 3.5 years or 4 years, Part-time 6 years, 7 years or 8 years

How to apply:

All applications should be made online. Under Campus, 'Loughborough' and select Programme 'Chemical Engineering'. Please quote CG-AC-2521 in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.

Email Address AACME: aacme.pgr@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk