Postdoc in Radiochemistry

Applications are invited from enthusiastic and talented individuals for a postdoctoral position in radiochemistry at the Hevesy Laboratory at DTU Health Technology (Risø Campus).

Project description
As a postdoctoral scientist, you will enter the research program at the Hevesy Laboratory, where you will join the effort to develop sustainable cyclotron-based production of the positron emission tomography (PET) radionuclide gallium-68 and its clinical translation. This project is a collaboration between the Department of Health Technology at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Herning Regional Hospital, and is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. You will participate in all major stages of design, development and optimization of the cyclotron-based production and purification of medical-grade gallium-68 using cyclotron solution targets. You will get a chance to work closely with automated radiosynthesis modules, learn and use process analytical technology for design of experiments (DoE) and robustness testing, and communicate with cyclotron physicists, radiochemists, and clinical specialists. At the later stages of the project you will be involved in GMP compliant 68 Ga-PSMA production and clinical translation of the technology from lab to bedside.

Responsibilities
Within the project, your main tasks will be to:

• Develop and optimize liquid-liquid and solid-phase based extraction of gallium-68 from cyclotron-irradiated solutions
• Work with spectroscopy-based process analytical technology tools for quality control determination of the concentrations of key components in the target solutions
• Adapt the developed radiochemistry to the automated radiosynthesis modules built in-house
• Write documentation and scientific contributions to the academic journals
• Perform radiosynthesis and quality control of 68 Ga-PSMA
• Participate in translation of the developed technology to the Herning Regional Hospital setting

The candidate
Yoy must have a PhD degree in analytical, inorganic, radiometallic, physical chemistry or radiochemistry. To be successful you must:

• Have a solid foundation in inorganic chemistry, including metal ions in solutions, chelation, liquid-liquid and solid phase extraction, solution thermodynamics, and spectroscopy
• Have an excellent command of English, both spoken and written
• Have a track record of academic publications, including first author papers
• Be driven, enthusiastic and ambitious
• Have a positive and social mindset
• Enjoy team-work and frequent communication with colleagues and collaborators

The following criteria are considered advantages but not requirements:

• Practical experience with radiochemistry
• Practical experience with radiosynthesis modules
• Knowledge or experience with chemometrics

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union. The position is full-time, with a fixed term of one year. The employment period starts on October 1st, 2021 (or according to mutual agreement).  

The primary place of work is The Hevesy Laboratory at the DTU Risø Campus in Roskilde.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here . 

Further information
Do not hesitate to contact Senior Scientist Fedor Zhuravlev by e-mail or phone for questions and further details, [email protected], +45 93511646. Do not submit your application through e-mail.  

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english .  

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . 

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 July 2021(Danish time). Please open the link "Apply online" and fill in the application form and attach the following documents in one PDF file (all in English): 

• Motivated application letter (max 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae
• PhD degree certificate (if not yet completed, a statement from the main supervisor may suffice)
• List of publications, including a brief description of how you contributed.
• Copy of your academic grade transcripts (master’s and bachelor’s degrees), including an official description of how to convert the grades to the European Union (ECTS) or United States (ABC) grading systems

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, nationality, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

About the Hevesy Laboratory
The Hevesy Laboratory is a radiochemical and radiopharmaceutical division within the Department of Health Technology ( DTU Health Tech) , DTU, with about 25 employees. The laboratory has a 16.5 MeV cyclotron equipped with a beam line for in-house production of radionuclides, both for PET scans (18 F, 64 Cu, 89 Zr, 52 Mn) and targeted radionuclide therapy. These radionuclides are put to use in radioactive pharmaceuticals. The laboratory has chemistry and biology research laboratories and clean rooms, which feature state-of-the-art equipment for working with radionuclides. At present, the research group at the Hevesy laboratory consists of a young, international and dynamic multidisciplinary team, focusing on the development of new radioactive pharmaceuticals for diagnostics and therapy. Our research is heavily interdisciplinary and multi-site, featuring various collaboration partners both nationally and internationally. In addition, our in-house GMP team produces radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostics and therapy, which are delivered to local hospitals as well as external collaborators. All communication in the research group is done in English.

About DTU Health Tech
DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 130 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.