Senior Radiochemist

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About Us

The School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences has attracted multi-million pound research funding and collaborates with other universities and Faculties within KCL, the NHS, charitable trusts and foundations, international Universities and industry.

The post holder will work as part of a recently-funded EPSRC Programme grant, undertaking production and purification of radioisotopes (52Mn, 44Sc, 89Zr, 124I, 211At, 64Cu), support academic and research staff and their academic collaborators in other institutions, hospitals and industry conducting this funded research and delivering outcomes that have real-world, life-improving impacts.

About The Role

We are seeking a talented, highly motivated and enthusiastic senior radiochemist as part of the EPSRC programme grant "Total Body Nuclear Imaging for the Development of Nanotheranostics", This Programme involves 15 co-investigators in a range of disciplines related to PET imaging strategies for the development of healthcare nanomaterials for therapeutic and diagnostic applications, including clinical translation to benefit patients. The Programme is mainly hosted by the Research Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology within the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences at King's College London (KCL), with major additional contributions from colleagues at Queen Mary University of London and University of Leeds, as well as other Departments within KCL.

Key responsibilities will include the position will produce and purify radioisotopes from a variety of production methods, and develop radiochemistry for nanomaterial translation in a GMP facility., This post holder will join with the radionuclide production team working across the CARL and PERL facilities. The primary focus will be the research production and supply of radionuclides such as 52Mn, 44Sc, 89Zr, 124I, 211At and others, as well as supporting the clinical translation of 64Cu production using the automated solid target system on the PETtrace cyclotron and associated hardware in the PERL facility. The post holder will also be expected to work collaboratively within the Programme and provide their expertise and support to a large multidisciplinary team of chemists, radiochemists, (radio)biologists, pharmacists, and clinicians

The successful candidate will have extensive experience in the radiochemistry, chemistry, production of radioisotopes and purification methods; be self-motivated; able to work independently, and will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They should be able to demonstrate a proven track record of scientific publications and presentation at international research meetings.

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for two years from the start date.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD awarded (or soon to be awarded*) in Radiochemistry, Nuclear Physics, Cyclotron Engineering or related chemistry, physics or engineering field.
2. Comprehensive knowledge of one or more aspects of molecular imaging (e.g. chemistry, radiochemistry, nuclear physics).
3. Advanced knowledge of the safe handling of radioactive materials, including gamma, alpha, beta and /or positron emitters.
4. Advanced skills in study/experimental design and analysis of complex research data.
5. Practical experience in processing and purification of cyclotron or reactor produced radionuclides.
6. Experience in use of radiochemical analytical methods, such as HPGe detector and ICP equipment, to assess radionuclide quality
7. Excellent inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting, working closely with biologists, chemists and radiochemists and GMP radiopharmaceutical production facility.
8. Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all findings, and to make these available to other members of the team.

Desirable criteria

1. Advanced knowledge in the use of analytical spectroscopy techniques.
2. Basic knowledge of one or more aspects of radiochemical synthesis (radiometal chelation, organic isotope labelling etc.) and/or photophysical molecular imaging properties.
3. Postdoctoral experience in radionuclide production

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click "Apply Now". This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ' How we Recruit' pages.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearances.