Master Thesis Polymer Systems

Investigation of Solid-State Properties and Internal Structural Changes in Silicone-Based Drug Delivery Systems and Their Impact

on Drug Release Performance

Are you passionate about science, technology, and innovation? At QPharma, we offer exciting thesis opportunities for students who

want to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges within pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Whether your

interests lie in research, engineering, or process development, our thesis projects offer an opportunity to explore new ideas,

gain valuable industry experience, and contribute to the development of future pharmaceutical solutions.

QPharma, is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for pharmaceutical products. With a strong focus

on innovation and continuous development, we are always looking for new perspectives and ideas to help shape the future of

pharmaceutical development.

The objective of this thesis is to improve the understanding of factors influencing drug release performance from silicone-based

drug delivery systems. Particular focus will be placed on the solid-state properties, API crystallinity, and internal structural

changes that may occur during the manufacturing and storage of silicone-based matrices. The study aims to identify material

characteristics associated with drug release variability, including acceptable, elevated, and reduced release profiles, and to

establish potential links between matrix properties and release behavior.

Silicone-based matrices manufactured at different time points and using different API lots will be characterized using a range of

complementary analytical techniques to identify changes in API solid-state properties and matrix microstructure that may influence

drug release performance. Analytical results will be compared with available in vitro release (IVR) data to explore relationships

between solid-state characteristics, morphology, and release behavior. The findings are expected to improve the understanding of

the mechanisms driving drug release variability and help identify critical material attributes associated with drug release

performance.

• Thermogravimetric Analysis/Loss on Drying (TGA-LOD) to investigate volatile content, potential hydrate and anhydrous forms of

the API, and material stability.

• Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) to visualize the internal structure of the matrices and detect potential crystal formation

or structural changes.

A successful candidate should have an interest in pharmaceutical formulation development and a good understanding of solid-state

characterization techniques, such as thermal analysis, diffraction methods, and imaging methods. Experience with these methods is

considered an advantage.

Does this thesis project sound interesting to you? We would love to hear from you! If you are curious, motivated, and eager to put

your knowledge into practice, we encourage you to submit your application by December 20, 2026

Join us at SEVER Pharma Solutions and get the opportunity to explore real-world challenges within pharmaceutical development. We

offer an inspiring and collaborative environment where new ideas, knowledge, and innovation come together to shape the future of

pharmaceutical solutions.