PhD - Development of High Throughput Screening Methodologies to Determine the Physical Properties of Cosmetic Products and Their Effects on the Skin

3 months ago


Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

No7 Beauty Company have a need to develop lab suitable methods and techniques that allow the assessment of the performance of skin care formulations without needing to test on human volunteers.

Testing prototype formulations on human volunteers is the most accurate way to benchmark efficacy and in market performance but it is costly and time consuming and therefore not feasible to do for every promising prototype formulation. Currently we use historical product performance data and ingredient knowledge to predict which prototype formulations will be the most promising for further development, but this results in a bias towards formulation types that are known to work and risks the exclusion of prototypes where we have limited knowledge or experience which may result in unexpectedly beneficial formulations being excluded.

No7 Beauty company are interested in developing high throughput performance tests of skin care formulations which can demonstrate correlation to in-vivo skin performance and have the potential to be run in a GMP compliant formulation laboratory. Of interest are tests that are already available with validation data, proposals for developing new test methods with a clear hypothesis for their suitability, novel substrates and materials which can be combined with existing laboratory techniques. Ideally research would identify/develop substrates that can simulate the physical properties of skin and how they change when cosmetic products are applied. We are interested in researching screening tests for the following areas:

  • Moisturisation - to predict in-vivo moisturisation measures.
  • SPF performance - needs to be an improvement over existing thin film UV absorbance measures.
  • Instant improvements in skin appearance - texture or wrinkles, evenness of skin tone, firmness etc.
  • Film effects e.g. resistance to pollutants, assessment of long wear properties. Skin barrier performance - to predict TEWL measurements.
  • Sebum control effects - to predict shine reduction.
  • Sensory properties beyond rheology assessments - in particular stickiness/tack.

Ideally the resulting tests should be suitable to screen multiple formulations and have the potential to be integrated into high throughput robotic formulation systems.

To apply please email your cv to cdt-

To be eligible for EPSRC funding candidates must have at least a 2(1) in an Engineering or Scientific discipline or a 2(2) plus MSc.



  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Structural materials in nuclear power plants are commonly operating at elevated temperatures in aggressive local environments and complex mechanical stress conditions. The upper temperature limit for the safe operation of a given reactor material or component is dictated primarily by its resistance against thermal creep, i.e. the increasing material's...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Protonic ceramics represent an emergent class of materials that have potential utility in several intermediate-temperature electrochemical applications, including the production of "green" hydrogen. Renewable-derived electricity can be used to drive steam electrolysis to form H2 and O2 products in a proton-conducting ceramic electrolyser (PCCEL). However,...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Geotechnical, tunnelling and mining industries are constantly challenged by problematic soils with low strength, both high expansivity (swell shrink) and high collapsibility behaviours, and a suite of other challenging engineering behaviours. As such these soils continue to cause several infrastructure failures and geohazards globally, with associated human...

  • PhD Studentship

    3 months ago


    Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Quantum computing offers efficient implementation of an important class of algorithms for which their classical counterparts suffer from an exponential growth of computational costs with system size. In recent years, great strides have been made in building quantum computing platforms using arrays of ultracold neutral atoms where quantum states in individual...

  • PhD Studentship

    3 months ago


    Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    The terahertz band (100 GHz to 10 THz) lies in-between the frequency range of traditional electronics and optics. This band will form the basis for future 6G communications and is currently getting prominence in trace molecular sensing due to the existence of unique terahertz fingerprints of molecules and the non-invasive, non-ionising nature of terahertz...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    A funded 3.5-year UK PhD studentship is available at the University of Birmingham with a tax-free stipend. The project is collaborated with Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany, CEA-Cadarache in France, Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) in the Netherlands, Tokamak Energy and the UKAEA's Tritium Fuel Cycle division.Background: Fusion...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Are you an outstanding and ambitious engineering graduate or postgraduate looking for the next challenge? Do you want to become an expert in robotics and human-machine interaction in one of the UK's leading robotics research institutions?We are looking for a first-class PhD student who wants to push the boundaries of human-robot collaboration and help people...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom A637 DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited Full time

    Job Title: AFC Screening Methodologies Standards Testing LeadLocation: BirminghamCorporate Title: Vice PresidentWe are seeking an expert in AFC Screening Methodologies Standards to join our dedicated team. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in screening technologies, data analysis, and testing frameworks. You will play a pivotal role in...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom A637 DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited Full time

    Job Title: AFC Screening Methodologies Standards Testing LeadLocation: BirminghamCorporate Title: Vice PresidentWe are seeking an expert in AFC Screening Methodologies Standards to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in screening engines, data analysis, and testing protocols. Your primary responsibilities will include the...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom A637 DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited Full time

    Job Title: AFC Screening Methodologies Standards Testing LeadLocation: BirminghamCorporate Title: Vice PresidentWe are seeking an expert in AFC Screening Methodologies Standards to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience with screening systems and a robust background in data analysis and testing. Your primary responsibilities...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom A637 DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited Full time

    Job Title: AFC Screening Methodologies Standards Testing LeadLocation: BirminghamCorporate Title: Vice PresidentWe are seeking an expert in AFC Screening Methodologies Standards to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in screening engines, data analysis, and testing protocols. Your primary responsibilities will include the...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    A great opportunity has arisen at the University of Birmingham and Abbott DBC to undertake an industry-led PhD project in the area of continuous glucose monitoring systems durability. Background: Continuous glucose sensors have become a key component in Type 1 diabetes management. However, some reports have suggested their usability is limited by the impact...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Funding: £26,000 per annum (TAX free stipend) and tuition fee for 3.5 yearsSupervisors: Professor Stefan Dimov (Mechanical Engineering, UoB) and Dr Sundar Marimuthu (MTC)Eligibility: Funding requirements dictate only UK nationals can apply.Start Date: ASAP but not later than Oct 2024 This is a PhD Scholarship jointly funded by the MTC and the UoB. The...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom A637 DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited Full time

    Job Title: AFC Screening Methodologies Standards Testing LeadLocation: BirminghamCorporate Title: Vice PresidentThe AFC Screening Methodologies Standards team is in search of a specialist with a robust background in screening technologies and data analysis. This role entails the creation of testing frameworks, execution and verification of data loading...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Job SummaryThis is a research-focused position that involves working within a project team to deliver the aims of a Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant in the field of quantum materials research.Main ResponsibilitiesDevelop new intellectual understanding of correlated disorder in quantum materials through experimental research.Design and develop new...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    Applications are invited for a 3.5-year PhD studentship to evaluate the passenger experience for Advanced Air Mobility aircraft. This research will be carried out within the flight safety research group led by Dr Michael Bromfield whose research is focused on safe, sustainable and socially responsible future aviation. This PhD project is expected to start in...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom UKSKIN Full time

    Join UKSKIN as a Creative Short-Form Content SpecialistAre you a master of concise storytelling with a flair for creating impactful content in the healthcare domain? UKSKIN, a premier clinic in cosmetic and skin surgery, is looking for you to help illuminate our services and expertise across social media platforms.Position: Short-Form Content Specialist -...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom UKSKIN Full time

    Join UKSKIN as a Creative Short-Form Content SpecialistAre you an expert in crafting short-form videos with a flair for storytelling in the health and beauty industry? UKSKIN, a premier clinic in cosmetic and skin surgery, is looking for a talented individual to elevate our presence on social media platforms.Position: Short-Form Content Specialist -...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom UKSKIN Full time

    Join UKSKIN as a Creative Short-Form Content SpecialistAre you an expert in crafting compelling short-form content with a flair for storytelling in the health and beauty industry? UKSKIN, a premier clinic in cosmetic and skin surgery, is looking for you to help us highlight our services and expertise across social media platforms.Position: Short-Form Content...


  • Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Full time

    This is an interdisciplinary CENTRE-UB PhD Studentship hosted in the Department of Music at the University of Birmingham. Listening to rhythmic music, produces the urge to move your body to the beat. This phenomenon occurs in infants who are too young to be in complete control of their movements, and in adults with severe memory deficits caused by dementia....