PhD candidates - Novel Radiopharmaceuticals for Medical Applications (# of pos: 2)

NOMATEN Centre of Excellence,

NOMATEN Centre of Excellence (CoE) is formed through a scientific partnership between the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ-Poland), the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA-France) and the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT-Finland) with joint financial support from the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) and the European Commission. It is currently composed of 5 Research Groups and is directed by Mikko Alava. NOMATEN CoE focuses research on the development and assessment of innovative multifunctional materials for industrial and medical applications, and linked to the latter, is currently growing the “Radiopharmaceuticals” group.

Its ambition: to build a team composed of world-leading researchers and young, highly motivated people who are passionate about developing of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to defeat cancer disease.

More info about NOMATEN CoE and the detailed project descriptions at http://nomaten.ncbj.gov.pl

2 positions exist on the PhD student level in NOMATEN Research Group „Radiopharmaceuticals” (leader dr. hab. Marek Pruszyński) related to conducting studies in the field of development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, starting from the reactor and cyclotron production of theranostic radionuclides and their separation from irradiated targets; through radiolabelling of various biomolecules or nanostructures; up to preclinical in vitro and in vivo evaluation demonstrating their diagnostic potential or therapeutic efficacy.

PhD students will work on new approaches for stable coupling of medically useful radionuclides

to biomolecules (monoclonal antibodies or their fragments, peptides and organic small molecules) either through chelating agents, prosthetic groups or nanoparticles, e.g. micelles, liposomes

or inorganic/organic nanoparticles. Various diagnostic (18F, 89Zr, 68Ga, 99mTc, 44Sc etc) and therapeutic (90Y, 177Lu, 131I, 225Ac, 227Th etc) radionuclides will be used. The synthesized radiolabelled compounds will be purified with utilization of preparative analytical methods such as dialysis, size exclusion or reversed-phase high-performance chromatography (SEC or RP-HPLC) and others. Radiolabelled biomolecules will be tested in vitro for their biological properties, including immunoreactivity, receptor binding affinity and specificity assays on tumour cells, cytotoxicity tests (e.g. cell proliferation, clonogenic assay, DNA double-strand break analysis), 3D cell culture etc. Also in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies are planned.

Research studies will be done in close collaboration with the research team of Radioisotope Centre POLATOM at NCBJ, a worldwide known manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals, as well as with prominent scientists in the field of radiopharmaceutical sciences from CEA/JOLIOT partners in France and VTT in Finland.

During their employment, PhD candidates are required to timely fulfil all the obligations connected with the process of obtaining the Doctoral degree in the chosen scientific discipline

(such as evaluation, passing exams, participating in lectures and other activities).

Preferred background: chemistry, radiochemistry, biology, biotechnology, pharmacy or related.

Location: 

National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ), ul. Andrzeja Sołtana 7, 05-400 Otwock, Poland 

(Suburb of Warsaw, efficient and free daily bus transport service provided).

Gross Salary: 

7,000 PLN per month (at current exchange rate 1,450 € per month); the details in each case depend on qualifications and experience, and the compensation is composed of the base salary and seniority addition, project bonus).

Read more about contributions in Poland at https://www.ncbj.gov.pl/en/hrcareer/contributions-poland

We offer: 

One year initial employment with extension after a positive evaluation.

Work in international network with research institutes and industrial companies.

Access to the research potential of NOMATEN’s three partners between NCBJ (Poland), CEA (France) and VTT (Finland).

Some of the positions are for joint collaborative research with NOMATEN partners CEA (France) and VTT (Finland) and thus include extensive visits to the collaborating institution.

Travel funds for participation in conferences and collaboration, attractive working conditions, atmosphere of teamwork, family-friendly environment with flexible working hours, support of an experienced local team in legal, financial and organisational issues as well as logistic support and advice related to working in Poland - enabling smooth relocation and equal opportunities.

Required documents:

• cover letter that explains the motivating factors for considering the position (max. 1 pp),
• CV with complete publication list, 
• brief description of important scientific achievements and scientific outlook,
• a list of 2 reference persons including their positions and contact details (e-mail address), 
• MSc diploma copy/scan

The recruitment is open to candidates who, at the time of submitting their applications, do not have a diploma confirming MSc, but who have a fixed date for obtaining this title before the planned date of employment. In this case, it is necessary to provide documents that prove that.

• as an attachment to your application please sign and enclose the following declaration: I agree to the processing of my personal data included in this application for the needs necessary to carry out the recruitment.  

Applications in electronic form should be submitted in English to: [email protected]

Candidates may be asked to provide additional documents. We reserve the right to contact only selected candidates and the right to inform about the decision to fill the post only to the selected candidate.

Candidates may be asked to provide additional documents. In the selection process, short-listed candidates will be interviewed in person or remotely. 

Position starts on: October 1st, 2022 (at the earliest).