Research Associate in PET Radiochemistry

Job description

King’s College London and GSK have entered into a research collaboration to discover and develop PET radiopharmaceuticals useful to support GSK’s R&D pipeline as well as to enable the study of human diseases. Thus, in this project, literature and proprietary molecules will be selected for radiolabelling and subsequent in vitro and in vivo evaluation in appropriate models. PET radioligands will be characterised (pharmacology, metabolism, etc) using various in vitro and in vivo techniques with the ultimate aim for human translation.

The post would require experience of cyclotron-based radionuclide production, radiochemical synthesis, and an understanding of novel radiotracer implementation requirements for human use (e.g. GMP, radiotracer validation and approval).

KCL at St Thomas’ Hospital have state of the art cyclotron and radiochemistry facilities available. The successful candidate will work under the direction of Prof Tony Gee (KCL) and Dr Thomas Bonasera (GSK).

The post holder will work with the Chemistry team, KCL PET centre radiochemistry laboratories and Imaging Chemistry and Biology Department Labs.

Thus, suitable applicants will have an excellent track record in the synthesis, development and characterisation of novel PET radiotracers, experience of working in a PET research environment, and an understanding of what is required to develop and evaluate novel radiochemistry and radiotracers.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31 December 2023 in the first instance (anticipated to be extended subject to grant funding).

This is a full-time time post

Key responsibilities

•          To be responsible for conception and progression of novel radiosynthesis methods for new radiotracers

•          To manage preclinical testing where required.

•          To assist with the implementation of new radiochemistry and instrumentation for research and clinical use, including radiochemistry with fluorine-18, carbon-11 and other cyclotron-based radionuclides. This will include close interactions with the chemistry research teams, including student supervision where necessary.

•          To participate as a team member in the Imaging Chemistry and Biology Department and the KCL PET Chemistry research team

•          To work proactively with Dr Thomas Bonasera and GSK staff in the development of joint KCL-GSK research themes to be explored, including regular face to face visits to the GSK R&D team in Stevenage.

•          To be proactive and be responsible, to ensure that regulatory and technical problems can be solved and do not present barriers to clinical translation of new tracers

•          To take lead in drawing together the appropriate documentation for the laboratory, preclinical and clinical use of novel radiotracers and methods where applicable.

•          To proactively provide intellectual input to the local and external PET radiochemistry milieu.

•          To assist in the delivery of teaching and assessment activities as part of a teaching team, where applicable.

Communication & networking

•          Responsibly communicate with chemists, scientists and clinicians involved in new radiopharmaceutical implementation

•          Regular communication with appropriate GSK project teams

•          To be responsible to communicate with other scientific and technical staff to solve technical problems in a timely manner to ensure smooth conduct of research radiochemistry activities

Decision making, planning & problem solving

•         To ensure documentation of implemented processes and equipment are maintained to appropriate standards, where required.

•         Arrange visits and training of researchers and scientists to the lab when requested.

•         To work closely with the scientific and laboratory management teams in conducting radiochemistry work, its documentation generation and publication.

•         To assist in paperwork essential to production of radiopharmaceuticals and in the development of the new radiochemistry laboratories

Service delivery

•          To train scientists and researchers in radiochemistry techniques where required.

•          To assist the laboratory managers in documentation generation, review and control.

•          To assist laboratory managers in responding to audit finding and risk assessments

•          To assist in paperwork essential to production of radionuclides and radiotracers where required.

•          To assist in the development of the new radiochemistry laboratories

Analysis & research

•           Develop and apply novel methodologies for novel radiotracer development

•           Collect and analyse QC data/test results

•           Interface with radiochemistry researchers in the implementation of novel radiochemistry methods and radiotracers, including supervision and training where necessary.

Sensory/physical demands & work environment

•            To work in a radiochemistry laboratory, where there chemicals and radionuclides are stored and generated (need to be trained to work with radioactivity).

•            To work in compliance to rules and regulations set nationally and locally

•            To work under time constraints and pressure.

•            Will be required to wear protective clothing in certain areas and use both personal and radiation monitoring devices as appropriate

•            Proactive role in safety and radiation protection. Enforce and adhere to rules.  Joint responsibility with physics team on matters relating to radiation protection

•             Risk assessments: Involved and offer advice on risk assessments.  Normally done by a team of people.  Implement and enforce issues in risk assessment.  Ensure junior and senior staff are in compliance and understand.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1.      PhD and significant postdoctoral experience in chemistry or radiopharmacy*

2.      Excellent knowledge of PET and/or SPECT radiotracer synthesis

3.      Knowledge of Ionising Radiation protection regulations

4.      Knowledge of and proven record in research radiochemistry with 11C and 18F

5.      In vitro testing of novel radiotracers

6.      Excellent Radiochemistry/radiopharmacy research and development laboratory experience

7.      Experience in managing students and project management

8.      Practical experience of analytical chemistry techniques including HPLC, GC, MS, NMR

9.      Experience with automated synthesis equipment

10.   Excellent verbal & written communication skills

Desirable criteria

1.      RPS training/qualification

2.      Experience in solid state targetry for cyclotron based radionuclide production

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Further information

The position is planned to start from start of Jan 2023. Interviews are anticipated in Oct/Nov 2022. Interviews will take place via video link or in person.