The Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) is an interdisciplinary
research institute in the area of pharmaceutical process- and
product-development in Graz, Austria. 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.

We are looking for an engaged, high qualified
PHD-RESEARCHER “DEM modelling of powder feeding during roll compaction” for
Pharmaceutical Processes (Ref.Nr. GS5) to work in a young and dynamic group

General Information:
- EU-Project IPROCOM: Marie Curie Initial Training Network
- Salary min. € 28,000 gross/year (equiv. app. € 20,071 net/year),
overpayment possible (depending on qualification)
- Additional monthly mobility allowance of app. € 700 / € 1.000 net per month
(without / with family)
- 3 years, to start latest by October 1st, 2013

The context and research field:
You will join the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (www.rcpe.at),
located in the south of Austria in Graz, close to the borders to Italy, Slovenia
and Hungary. The center was established in 2008 and has grown up to 100
employees. The research done at RCPE is in close cooperation with Graz
University of Technology and other well-known universities, research centers and
companies in the pharma field. RCPE is capable of doing material science,
formulation development and establishing (continuous) production processes
utilizing appropriate QbD and PAT tools.
The PhD position is funded by the European Community programme “Marie-Curie”,
and will be carried out in the framework of the Initial Training Networks (ITN)
project IPROCOM.

IPROCOM (The Development of in silico process models for roll compaction) is a
multidisciplinary and inter-sectorial consortium aiming at the development of
robust in silico process models that can be used to predict the properties of
intermediate ribbons/granules and final products tablets/pellets/components
based on the properties of individual particles, and to provide structured
training for 15 researchers within a collaborative research network involving 10
full partners and 4 associate partners from 8 EU countries.

The position:
DEM modelling of powder feeding during roll compaction
Objective: To predict powder feeding in roll compaction using DEM
After getting trained on our internal DEM tool (XPS) the researcher will analyze
the powder filling process using the available tool. The main objective is to
predict powder flow rate and uniformity and how particle properties and process
conditions will affect the properties of the powder and the bed in the
compaction zone prior to roll compaction. DEM Models will be further developed
to explore the effects of particle shape, cohesion, agglomeration and
electrostatic interactions. The PhD students in this project are closely
interlinked in their work and results and hence exchange information frequently
in direct meetings and special trainings during the program.

It is expected that the researcher will be hosted for short periods at project
partners (e.g. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique – FRANCE,
Heinrich-Heine-Universität – GERMANY) and work in close collaboration with
others PhD students of the network.
It is expected that the researcher will participate in a wide range of
networking activities including
inter-sectoral secondments, IPROCOM training schools, workshops, short courses,
dedicated sessions at international meetings, and network conference.

You should bring with you the following knowledge/experience/abilities: -
Technical or natural scientific background (MSc degree e.g. in mechanics,
material science, physics or a related area)
- Knowledge in continuum mechanics
- Knowledge in programming (i.e. C, Python, Fortran, MATLAB)
- Knowledge in numerical simulation, preferably in the Discrete Element Method
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Good English language skills

Conditions and eligibility:
This fellowship is offered in the context of a Marie Curie Initial Training
Network, and transnational mobility is a key element of eligibility. The
eligibility of the researcher is determined by Marie Curie terms and conditions.
Candidates may be either EU citizens or from outside the EU (subject to relevant
immigration formalities), but applications will only be accepted from candidates
who must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies,
etc) in Austria for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the
date of selection by the host institution (short stays such as holidays are not
taken into account).

Application documents:
If you are eligible and interested, please e-mail the following documents:
- a letter of application,
- a detailed CV,
- good level of English required (TOEFL or CAE level for example),
- two recommendation letters (from people/supervisors acquainted with your work
or education).

Although the position will remain open until filled, applicants are encouraged
to submit their
applications before July 1st, 2013.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH
Mag. Simone Klein
Inffeldgasse 13, A-8010 Graz
Tel.: +43 316 873-30 904
simone.klein@rcpe.at