This role is part of a collaborative Cancer Research UK funded programme focussed on developing radiotracers that target receptors associated with hard-to-treat cancers. It is based in the multidisciplinary School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences at King’s College London, which is geographically located at St Thomas’ Hospital. In this role, a highly skilled and experienced chemist will apply their expertise to translational cancer imaging and therapeutic research. 

 

In this role, a chemist, with a strong track record of working in collaborative teams, will (i) lead research activities focussed on developing and applying chemistry for radiopharmaceuticals in cancer, (ii) support aligned research projects on molecular radiotracers for cancer, and (iii) play a central role in translation of promising research outcomes to clinical use with clinical collaborators and industry partners.

 

We are looking for someone with a range of synthetic, inorganic, bioconjugate and radio chemistry skills, and preclinical biological evaluation skills. This role will encompass varied responsibilities, including work on a wide range of collaborative projects. The researcher will develop new chelators for attachment to bioactive vectors that target cancer, radiolabel the resulting conjugates with medically relevant radioisotopes, and perform preclinical research on the resulting radiotracers to test their utility for diagnostic imaging or systemic radiotherapy. This will include preparation and labelling of small molecules and proteins, and in vitro and in vivo biological studies, including preclinical (mainly PET, SPECT, CT) imaging.

 

The post holder will also provide training, assistance and advice to other workers and collaborators: he/she will advise, support and train internal staff and students in the design and execution of experiments relating to cancer biology, including radiosynthesis of tracers, in vitro biological evaluation, and in vivo molecular imaging related to cancer. The role will be a basis for first- and senior author publications on the development of innovative methodologies in this field as well as co-authoring user-led publications.

 

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 3 years.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the  Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the  Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.