Job Description

Job id: 072305. Salary: Grade 6: \xc2\xa342,405 - \xc2\xa349,785 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 28 July 2023. Closing date: 01 August 2023.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Imaging Chemistry & Biology.

Contact details: Prof Phil Blower. Philip.blower@kcl.ac.uk

Location: St Thomas\' Hospital. Category: Research.

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Job description

The role is to provide specialist expertise in analytical methods to determine sub-cellular distribution pf elements and to apply them to enhance understanding of biological effects of radionuclides in tissues, within a multidisciplinary EPSRC-funded Programme: Next Generation Radiochemistry for Molecular Imaging with Radionuclides (MITHRAS), based at Imperial College London, King\'s College London and the University of Southampton. The team will include specialists in radionuclide production, nanodrug and cell therapy researchers, organic and inorganic chemists and radiochemists, and molecular imaging biologists. The aim of the programme is to develop new chemistry for fast, accessible synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, understand and validate their biology and translate this understanding into clinically translatable products for imaging and radionuclide therapy.

This post holder will have the specific role of developing analytical methods for mapping the cellular and subcellular distribution of radiometals, for use in their own research projects and those of others in the Programme.

We are looking for someone with specialist knowledge and experience of the cellular radiobiology of radionuclides (particularly Auger electron emitters), including survival assays (clonogenic assays etc.), ion beam and laser ablation mass spectrometry and electron microscope-based methods for determining the cellular localisation and quantification of trace elements. The incumbent will also be required to have experience with experimentation with radionuclides, radiolabelling, small animal radionuclide imaging and nanomaterial fabrication.

This role will encompass varied responsibilities, including work on a wide range of collaborative projects. This work will involve collaborations with research groups across King\'s and Imperial and to drive the development and translation of radionuclide-based molecular imaging and therapy agents.

The post holder will be expected not only to perform projects within their specific remit but also to provide training, assistance and advice to other workers and collaborators. In particular, he/she will advise, support and train internal staff and students in the design and execution of experiments relating to molecular imaging, including radiosynthesis of tracers, in vitro biological evaluation, and in vivo molecular imaging related to cancer. The role will be a basis for first-author publications on the development of innovative methodologies in this field as well as co-authoring user-led publications.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

• To play a key research and training role in a programme of molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy development in support of the objectives of the MITHRAS programme.
• To ensure the smooth running and successful execution of research relating to radiopharmaceutics and radiobiology.
• To use their own expertise in methodology for mapping trace elements at the cellular level, and apply this methodogy to understand radiobiology associated with radionuclides in biological material.
• To use synthetic chemistry and molecular imaging expertise to develop new radionuclide targeting approaches.
• To use molecular imaging expertise to evaluate new radiotracers in vitro (in cell studies) and in vivo (in small animal studies).
• To compile timely and high quality reports of these studies.
• To attend and help organise group meetings, using them for the dissemination of radiation protection, laboratory safety advice & instruction, advice on experimental design and reporting of research results.
• As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, to perform, coordinate and supervise others (undergraduate and postgraduate students and postdoctoral scientists) in the development and biological evaluation of molecular imaging agents for pre-clinical studies and potentially for clinical imaging and therapy.
• To provide the aforementioned expertise to the research team.
• To participate in further training and career development as appropriate to the stage in your career.
• To attend and, as appropriate, present research findings and papers at internal and external academic meetings, seminars and conferences and to contribute to the internal and external visibility of the Department and its collaborators.
• There will be opportunities to participate in teaching at undergraduate/masters level in areas in which the post-holder has specialist expertise.

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.

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.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. PhD in radiobiology and methods of cellular localization of radionuclides (at or near completion)*

2. Experience in radiochemistry and radiopharmaceutics research.

3. Experience of in vitro radiobiological experiments.

4. Experience of localization of trace metals at the cellular level using laser ablation, ion beam ablation, electron microscope and other related methods.

5. Experience of in vivo preclinical radionuclide imaging.

6. Practical experience within a research environment and publication in refereed journals in the field of radiobiology and radiopharmaceutics.

7. Computer literate with a good knowledge of different computer programs with experience in data presentation and statistical analyses.

8. Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature.

9. Ability to develop and apply new concepts.

10. Creative approach to problem-solving.

11. Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people.

12. Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in handling and safety of radionuclides including gamma, alpha, beta and positron emitters at medical diagnostic and therapeutic activities.

2. Experience of biomolecule labelling methods, use of bifunctional chelators, in vitro and in vivo testing of radiopharmaceuticals, cell labelling, using a variety of radionuclides.

3. Background and qualifications in pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences

King\'s College London