Postdoctoral Research Associate in (Radionuclide) Biology

The School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences has attracted multi-million pound research funding and collaborates with other universities and Faculties within KCL, the NHS, charitable trusts and foundations, international Universities and industry. The post holder will work as part of a recently-funded EPSRC Programme grant, undertaking research into nanotheranostics, supporting academic and research staff and their academic collaborators in other institutions, hospitals and industry conducting this funded research and delivering outcomes that have real-world, life-improving impacts.

We are seeking a talented, highly motivated and enthusiastic Postdoctoral Research Associate as part of the EPSRC programme grant “Total Body Nuclear Imaging for the Development of Nanotheranostics”. This Programme involves 15 co-investigators in a range of disciplines related to PET imaging strategies for the development of healthcare nanomaterials for therapeutic and diagnostic applications, including clinical translation to benefit patients. The Programme is mainly hosted by the Research Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology within the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences at King’s College London (KCL), with major additional contributions from colleagues at Queen Mary University of London and University of Leeds, as well as other Departments within KCL.

This role will be working within work package 2 of the Programme (In vitro toxicology and radiobiological evaluation) and will involve the biological characterisation of new radioactive nanotherapies in vitro in cancer and healthy cells. Key responsibilities will include carrying out molecular and cell biology studies with radioactive nanotherapeutics. The post holder will also be expected to work collaboratively within the Programme and provide their expertise and support to a large multidisciplinary team of chemists, radiochemists, (radio)biologists, pharmacists, and clinicians.

The successful candidate will have extensive in vitro (cancer cell and/or healthy cell) experience; be self-motivated; able to work independently, and will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They should be able to demonstrate a proven track record of scientific publications and presentation at international research meetings. 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.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills & experience:

• Essential criteria:

• PhD level qualified in biology, radiobiology, or radionuclide imaging/chemistry at or near completion
• BSc (2:2 or above) biology
• Expertise in experimental cell biology & skills in cellular, molecular, and (radio)biological assays and methodologies
• Advanced skills in study/experimental design & analysis of complex research data
• Honesty and integrity
• The ability to take individual responsibility for planning & undertaking own work, according to clinical and scientific deadlines
• Excellent inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting, working closely with biologists, chemists and radiochemists & GMP radiopharmaceutical production facility
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills & maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all findings, and to make these available to other members of the team

• Postdoctoral experience in biology, radiobiology, or radiochemistry
• Radiation training & knowledge of handling & safety of biological and radioactive materials
• Basic knowledge of preclinical (in vivo) validation

£45,031 to £47,379 per annum inclusive of London Weighting Allowance.