Intelligent optimisation of inline purification – delivering automated product profiling for pharma

Purification is a critical part of pharmaceutical process chemistry, to a) quantify and optimise product purity and yield, and b) characterise impurities for robust safety testing and the impact on down-stream steps. However, method development for separation is laborious, creating a bottleneck and reducing efficiency and sustainability.

This project, co-funded by AstraZeneca, will develop & use autonomous optimisation of purification on programmable flow reactors, linking synthesis, separation, and characterisation in one automated system. Flow chemistry delivers benefits including improved safety, efficiency, scalability, production quality, and sustainability. Autonomous optimisation further drives efficiency while delivering invaluable datasets.

You will learn and use data-driven approaches to autonomously optimise work-up and chromatographic steps, building on recent advances, addressing key reactions relevant to pharma. You will have the opportunity to join a team using algorithmic optimisation for pharmaceutical processes (EP/Z531339/1, Universities of Leeds, Liverpool & Cambridge and industrial partners), benefiting from the exceptional training and networking opportunities from the CDT and beyond.

Suiting applicants with a background in organic synthesis/analytical chemistry and an interest in enabling technology, all required training will be provided (flow chemistry, optimisation methods, automation, coding).

This project will be supervised by Prof Anna Slater (Chemistry), Prof Prudence Wong (Computer Science) , Dr Adam Clayton (University of Leeds) and Prof Richard Bourne (University of Leeds). Any informal enquiries about the project can be directed to [email protected].

The global need for researchers with capabilities in materials chemistry, digital intelligence and automation is intensifying because of the growing challenge posed by Net Zero and the need for high-performance materials across multiple sectors. The disruptive nature of recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and emerging quantum computing offers timely and exciting opportunities for PhD graduates with these skills to make a transformative impact on both R&D and society more broadly.

The University of Liverpool EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital and Automated Materials Chemistry is therefore offering multiple studentships for students from backgrounds spanning the physical and computer sciences to start in October 2025. These students will develop core expertise in robotic, digital, chemical and physical thinking, which they will apply in their domain-specific research in materials design, discovery and processing. By working with each other and benefiting from a tailored training programme they will become both leaders and fully participating team players, aware of the best practices in inclusive and diverse R&D environments.

This training is based on our decade-long development of shared language and student supervision between the physical, engineering and computer sciences, and takes place in the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), the largest industry-academia colocation in UK physical science. The training content has been co-developed with 35 industrial partners and is designed to generate flexible, employable, enterprising researchers who can communicate across domains.

Applicant Eligibility

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent related to Physical Science, Engineering or Computational Science. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered.

Application Process

Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible no later than 13th April 2025. We will assess applications as we receive them. The position will be closed when a suitable candidate is identified. This may be before the indicated deadline.

To apply for this project, please review our guide on “How to Apply” carefully and select the correct pathway “MPHIL/PHD Chemistry” when completing the online postgraduate research application form.

We strongly encourage applicants to get in touch with the supervisory team to get a better idea of the project.

We want all our Staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, if you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result.

Please ensure you include the project title and reference number CCPR151 when applying.