Postdoctoral Research Associate in Radiochemistry and PET Imaging

Location: St Thomas' Campus

Contact details: Dr Ran Yan. ran.yan@kcl.ac.uk

Job description

We are seeking a proactive and collaborative radiochemist to join Dr Yan’s group in the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London. We are a dynamic radiochemistry and biology team with access to cutting-edge instruments for preclinical nuclear imaging. You will develop novel bioconjugation reagents for native peptide and small protein radiolabelling. The resulting radiolabelled bioconjugates will be applied to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell PET imaging.

In collaboration with radiochemist, Prof Erik Årstad from UCL and CAR T-cell scientists, Dr John Maher and James Arnold from KCL, the successful candidate will develop novel radiolabelling strategies for the bioconjugation of native peptides and small proteins. You will also assist the evaluation of the radiolabelled bioconjugates for the detection of CAR T-cells in mouse cancer models with PET imaging. The project involves organic synthesis of radiolabelling precursors and non-radioactive references compounds, radiochemical preparation and characterisation of the bioconjugation reagents, radiolabelling and characterisation of peptides and small proteins, assist the in vitro biological evaluation of the bioconjugates for CAR T-cell uptake, and assist the PET imaging of CAR T-cells in tumour xenograft models with newly developed bioconjugates. The goal of this project is to develop a generic long-term CAR T-cell PET imaging reagent to enable clinicians to determine the real-time in vivo biodistribution of the CAR T-cells allowing prediction of therapeutic efficacy and potential off-target toxicity of therapeutic cells at earlier stages of their development.

We expect the successful candidate to hold a PhD degree in radiochemistry with a strong background in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. You will need to have a strong track record of research achievements. Experience in handling of radioactivity is desirable. Experience with small animal imaging is preferred.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for up to three years (latest end date 30 November 2026).

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent.

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