About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious postgraduate with a background in mechanical or chemical engineering or other relevant disciplines to complete a project to develop a predictive model for manufacturability of pharmaceutical tablet formulations.

Although employed by the University and carrying out some of the work at the University, you will be based at I Hollands’s premises in Long Eaton - near Nottingham - with a pivotal role in driving this unique academic and industrial collaboration. This KTP aims to examine material properties and deliver a predictive model that will inform tablet producers the type of XDF (eXtended Dwell Flat) Form Head that will reduce sticking. This tool will be embedded across the business and its agents.

Ultimately, the project will support I Holland’s research and development team to embed new knowledge into the company that will increase competitiveness and profitability

About the Company partner

I Holland is the world's best-known manufacturer of tablet punches and dies. A true British manufacturing success, we have been established for 75 years. I Holland manufactures 350,000 tablet tools per year and delivering to over 500 customers worldwide. Approximately 90% of tooling produced is for export. All of I Holland's manufacturing is at one site in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire.

Science and service
Our experience, research and engineering know-how come together to provide precision tooling solutions for thousands of customers in over 100 countries. Our approach to design, development and delivery is unique and collaborative.

The company recognises the importance of research and collaboration with customers and scientific partners alike. This aids the development of innovative, robust and quality products that provide increased tooling lifetime and performance benefits for our customers. Their unique approach to the design, development & delivery sets them apart from other tablet tooling manufacturer.

Every single punch and die manufactured at I Holland are bespoke.

Problem solving and collaboration
We have been working to solve design and production problems with tablet manufacturers for many years. Our design engineers work closely with our clients during the entire process from research and development through to trial and scale up. With appropriate tablet design and correctsteel and coating specification, we help to increase their productivity and reduce their costs.

Working with I Holland
I Holland values their employees as their biggest asset and pride themselves on the diverse range of skills and expertise within the organisation. Many employees have spent their entire working lives in the tabletting industry and their knowledge is second to none. This bank of knowledge and experience is complemented by people with a range of skills and expertise developed in many diverse but closely related environments allowing new approaches and techniques to be employed within our company.

About Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

For 50 years, KTPs have been helping businesses innovate for growth. They do this by connecting businesses that have an innovation idea with the expertise to help deliver it.

A KTP could be the perfect launchpad for you, helping enhance your career by managing a challenging project central to a business’s strategic development and long-term growth.

You’ll ‘own’ your own project, linked to both a university and a business whose experienced teams will provide you with full support. Applying academic knowledge to a real-world challenge, this is a chance to deliver impact and shape your career, opening doors within both academia and industry.

As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:

• A budget for training and personal development of £2,000 per year (in addition to salary).
• Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK KTP Adviser.
• An interesting and challenging role, with exposure to a variety of stakeholders.
• Full access to university resources to complete the project
• Full access to I Holland’s resources.
• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated KTP Office.

About you

You should have a proven ability to deliver academic research, demonstrated by a PhD/MSc/MEng/BSc or equivalent in a science discipline, with knowledge of mechanics of materials.

Through previous research, you should also have demonstrable evidence of analytical problem-solving capability, and the ability to develop new approaches/models and analytical techniques where required. You should be a competent user of MATLAB and Python.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Prof Csaba Sinka at [email protected].

General enquiries on KTP to Paul Corazzo via [email protected]

We anticipate that first stage online interviews will take place on 14 April 2025.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.