Ph.D. position available: Targeted Radiotheranostic Pharmaceuticals

Application deadline: 15 August 2024 at 23:59 hours local Danish time
Would you like to do research in the exciting and rapidly growing field of radiopharmaceutical development for cancer treatment? A Ph.D. position in chemistry is currently available at the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Pharmacy.

Project background
This Ph.D. project is one out of three Ph.D. projects funded by a Synergy grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (“Image and Destroy: New Radionuclides for Cancer Theranostics”). It is part of a collaboration with the Preclinical Research Group at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital (Dr Helge Thisgaard), and with a group at Dublin City University in Ireland specializing in medicinal inorganic chemistry (Prof. Andrew Kellett). The team is multidisciplinary with expertise in chemistry, radiochemistry, nuclear physics, biomedicine, and molecular biology. We are primarily focused on developing and evaluating new radiopharmaceuticals for PET-imaging and receptor-targeted precision radiotherapies of cancer using unconventional radionuclides. The work spans from chemical synthesis, radioactive isotope preparation and radiolabeling, to in vitro cell testing and ultimately small animal testing for any highly promising leads.

Key Responsibilities:

• Development of new radiopharmaceuticals for targeted radionuclide therapy of brain cancer.
• Synthesis and characterization (NMR, IR, MS, X-ray diffraction etc) of chelators suitable for binding radioactive theranostic isotope pairs of metal ions (Sb, Co, Cu, Ga) and their cold complexes.
• Synthesis and purification of peptides using solid support methods and linking them to the new chelators.
• Assist in designing strategies for radiolabelling.

Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in working on the boundary between inorganic chemistry, chemical biology and nuclear physics. The candidate will hold a M.Sc. in chemistry. Previous experience with one or more of the following is considered an advantage: molecular inorganic/organometallic synthesis and characterization, and peptide synthesis. We expect good interpersonal and communication skills (English) for effective teamwork across disciplines.
For further information about the position please contact Professor Christine J. McKenzie ([email protected]).

Starting date: 15th of September, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Application deadline: 15 August 2024 at 23:59 hours local Danish time.
The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science at SDU and is located in Odense. The department focusses on basic research and move beyond traditional disciplines to develop new technologies and sciences across physics, chemistry, pharmacy, mathematics, computer science and biology. The department’s research contributes to new knowledge and solutions with applications in the areas of climate, environment, energy, and health.
The Ph.D. candidate will be part of the Section for Chemistry and Pharmacy.

Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Application must be in English and made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:

• A research proposal/description of your approach to the above project (max one page excluding references).
• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) (please attach this under box “Application form”).
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information.
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades.
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them use e-mail: [email protected] mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before deadline.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.
Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

Applications should be sent electronically via the link "Apply now". The faculty expects applicants to read the information "How to apply" before applying. Please note that the application documents should be in pdf-format and attached as three documents: motivation letter, CV and the remaining documents.

We recommend that as an international applicant you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.

Placering: Odense, Denmark