Postdoctoral Research Associate in AI Accelerated Long Acting Therapeutics Design -Grade 7

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join a multidisciplinary team developing Long-Acting Therapeutics (LATs) at the University of Liverpool. You will work collaboratively across the groups of Dr Joe Forth, Dr Anthony Bradley, and Project Lead Professor Steve Rannard, applying your expertise in machine learning, cheminformatics, and soft materials to accelerate LAT design and manufacturing. The role sits within the £13M EPSRC Hub for Advanced Long-Acting Therapeutics (HALo) (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/celt-global-health/halo/), a nationally leading initiative spanning universities in Liverpool, Belfast, Manchester, and Nottingham, alongside industry partners.

The position is fixed-term for 24 months (with the potential for a 12-month extension) and available form 01 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Role

Drawing on over a decade of formulation data, you will develop machine learning models that link chemical composition and processing parameters to the physical and biological properties of LATs, including particle size, degradation rate, and drug release profiles. You will build representational methods for APIs and excipients, apply Bayesian optimisation to experimental design, and help predict failure mechanisms during LAT production. There is also scope to develop coarse-grained computer simulations (e.g. dissipative particle dynamics) to expand the chemical and mechanistic reach of the work.

This is a basic science role embedded in a rich collaborative environment, supported by experimentalists across four universities and industry partners, with access to world-class facilities including the Materials Innovation Factory and the Centre for Long-Acting Therapeutics (CELT Global Health).

You Should Have:

• A PhD in chemistry, physics, engineering, materials science, or a related field
• Research experience in machine learning or computational chemistry
• Interest in soft matter, biomaterials, or formulation science

Exceptional candidates from related disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you are still awaiting your PhD to be awarded you will be appointed at Grade 6, spine point 30. Upon written confirmation that you have been awarded your PhD, your salary will be increased to Grade 7, spine point 31.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to enhancing a workforce as diverse as our community and particularly encourage applicants who are of minoritised genders and ethnic backgrounds, living with a disability, and/or are members of the LGBTQIA+ community.