The Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH (RCPE) is a Research Center
in the field of Pharmaceutical Engineering. Our goal is to establish technology
to transform current product and processes development approaches in the
pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries into a science-based endeavor together
with our partners.


PAID DIPLOMA THESIS
Modelling pharmaceutical capsule filling processes
Ref.Nr. DA19

We offer students studying Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics,
Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, or similar disciplines the chance to work
on their master thesis within the scope of the following research project.

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT: Capsules are one of the main types of pharmaceutical
products. Capsule filling process involves several process parameters (i.e. size
of nozzles, speed of operation, piston displacement, etc) and is affected by
several powder properties (i.e. flowability, cohesion, compressibility, particle
size, mechanical properties of the particles, etc).
These parameters affect the weight variability among capsules, which poses a
challenge to pharmaceutical manufacturers because capsules must comply with
strict regulations (i.e. USP and EP). This project is about using the tools
available in commercial software (EDEM) to simulate the behavior of a collection
of particles in a capsule filling scenario. You will develop models that will
help understand the effect of selected process and powder variables. You will
work in close collaboration with experimentalists to validate the simulations.

YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Learn how to use EDEM software.
- Model and perform simulations for the different relevant phases in capsule
filling: nozzle lowering, compaction, load relieving, nozzle lifting, powder
plug ejection.
- Analyzing results
- Compare with literature and experimental data

START: may start work immediately

Ideal candidates will already have experience in the field of CAD/Matlab or
computer simulation.

WE OFFER:
- a multidisciplinary and dynamic research environment in the area of
pharmaceutical technology,
- Mentoring and on-the-job training by a our qualified staff, and
- an adequate payment as well as the chance for personal and technical
development in the area of pharmaceutical engineering.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH
Mag. Simone Klein
Inffeldgasse 13/II, A-8010 Graz
Tel.: +43 316 873-30904
simone.klein@rcpe.at