At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative radiotracers for infection diagnosis and localisation in a collaborative research environment.
- Company: King’s College London, leading in medical research and innovation.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, access to cutting-edge technology, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by tackling antimicrobial resistance and improving patient outcomes.
- Qualifications: Strong MSc/MRes background in microbiology, biomedical science, chemistry, or related fields.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth potential and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Job Overview
People with conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, organ transplants, or immunodeficiencies face higher risks of infection, complications, and death. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is vital to improve outcomes in these vulnerable groups. However, clinical diagnosis of microbial infections is often challenging, and noninvasive methods tend to perform poorly. Existing lab techniques typically require invasive sample collection, followed by time-consuming culture and antibiotic resistance testing. These methods delay results and lack real‑time monitoring to assess disease burden or pinpoint the infection site. Imaging tools that specifically target pathogens are highly sought after to improve noninvasive infection diagnosis and localisation. Currently, no clinical imaging test can reliably distinguish infections from inflammation or malignancy or differentiate between bacterial and fungal infections. Emerging research is exploring radiometals conjugated with targeting molecules for in‑vivo imaging of infections via PET or SPECT. These agents can also be linked to therapeutics, enabling combined diagnosis and targeted antimicrobial treatment (theranostics) – offering a promising tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Research Opportunity
At King’s College London, in collaboration with clinicians and scientists from UKSHA, we have set up a unique facility to develop radiotracers (conjugating radiometals with different targeted molecules) and to evaluate them biologically in vitro and in vivo. We work closely with clinicians, the King’s translational team, and the IP & licensing team. Our team has expertise in working with industry to develop radiopharmaceutical kits. We are offering an exciting and ambitious PhD research opportunity to explore different molecules/targets to develop infection‑specific radiotracers and navigate their clinical translation.
PhD Training
- Synthetic chemistry and analytical techniques (HPLC, LC‑MS, NMR)
- Designing and synthesising compounds for bacterial or fungal new targets or developing theragnostic agents
- Radiation safety, regulation and handling radioisotopes
- Radiochemistry (radiolabelling of compounds, purity, stability and in‑vitro characterisation of radiolabelled compounds using radio‑iTLC and radio‑HPLC)
- Microbiological assays (microbial cell growth and maintenance, in‑vitro evaluation of radiolabelled compounds in different microbial pathogens) & tissue culture‑based ex‑vivo evaluation
- Ethical and regulatory compliance for animal study (Home Office licensing in the UK)
- Preclinical animal studies (in vivo studies in healthy and infection model), Imaging data acquisition and analysis (Positron Emission Tomography)
Complementary training includes research ethics, scientific communication, project management, and collaboration across clinical and scientific disciplines – equipping you to contribute to innovative diagnostics and targeted therapies in the fight against infectious diseases and AMR.
References
- Akter A, Lyons O, Mehra V, Isenman H, Abbate V. Radiometal chelators for infection diagnostics. Front Nucl Med. 2023 Jan 9;2:1058388. doi:10.3389/fnume.2022.1058388.
- Akter A, Firth G, Darwesh AMF, et al. [68Ga]Ga-Schizokinen, a Potential Radiotracer for Selective Bacterial Infection Imaging. ACS Infect Dis. 2024 Aug 9;10(8):2615-2622. doi:10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00067.
- Akter A, Cooper MS, Darwesh AMF, Hider RC, Blower PJ, Price NM, Lyons O, Schelenz S, Mehra V, Abbate V. Radiotracers for in situ infection imaging: Experimental considerations for in vitro microbial uptake of gallium-68-labeled siderophores. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Dec;110(4):116522. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116522.
- Young JD, Abbate V, Imberti C, Meszaros LK, Ma MT, Terry SYA, Hider RC, Mullen GE, Blower PJ. 68Ga-THP-PSMA: A PET Imaging Agent for Prostate Cancer Offering Rapid, Room‑Temperature, 1‑Step Kit‑Based Radiolabeling. J Nucl Med. 2017 Aug;58(8):1270-1277. doi:10.2967/jnumed.117.191882.
- Failla M, Floresta G, Abbate V. Peptide‑based positron emission tomography probes: Current strategies for synthesis and radiolabelling. RSC Med Chem. 2023 Jan 6;14(4):592-623. doi:10.1039/d2md00397j.
- Floresta G, Keeling GP, Memdouh S, Meszaros LK, de Rosales RTM, Abbate V. NHS‑Functionalized THP Derivative for Efficient Synthesis of Kit‑Based Precursors for 68Ga Labeled PET Probes. Biomedicines. 2021 Apr 1;9(4):367. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9040367.
Candidate Profile
We prioritise candidates with a strong MSc/MRes background who have demonstrated research skills through their dissertation in microbiology, biomedical science, chemistry, biology or relevant subjects. However, a 1st or 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in the above‑stated subjects with lab‑based project experience is also welcomed. For more information on the entry requirements and fees, please visit our website.
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Job offer PHD Studentship, Analytics, Environmental & Forensics employer: King's College London
Contact Detail:
King's College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Job offer PHD Studentship, Analytics, Environmental & Forensics
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of analytics, environmental science, and forensics. Attend conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential employers and fellow researchers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in microbial infection diagnostics and imaging tools. Show your passion and knowledge during interviews, and don’t hesitate to discuss how your skills can contribute to innovative solutions in this area.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your research experience and how it aligns with the goals of the PhD programme.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the PhD opportunity and what we’re looking for in candidates right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Job offer PHD Studentship, Analytics, Environmental & Forensics
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the PhD position. Highlight relevant research experience, especially in microbiology or chemistry, and don’t forget to mention any lab-based projects you've worked on. We want to see how your background fits with our exciting research opportunity!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this research area and how your skills align with the project. Be genuine and let us know what excites you about working with our team at King’s College London.
Showcase Your Research Skills: Since we’re looking for candidates with strong research skills, make sure to detail your dissertation work or any relevant projects. Discuss the methodologies you used and any significant findings. This will help us see your potential as a researcher in our field.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about entry requirements and fees there!
How to prepare for a job interview at King's College London
✨Know Your Research
Dive deep into the specifics of the research opportunity. Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in radiotracers and theranostics, as well as the challenges in non-invasive infection diagnosis. Being able to discuss recent studies or breakthroughs will show your genuine interest and understanding of the field.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your MSc/MRes background and any relevant lab experience. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving microbiology, chemistry, or analytical techniques. Use examples to demonstrate how your skills align with the requirements of the PhD position.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the research facility, the team you'll be working with, and the potential for collaboration across disciplines. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
✨Understand Ethical Considerations
Familiarise yourself with ethical and regulatory compliance, especially regarding animal studies and handling radioisotopes. Being knowledgeable about these aspects will reflect your readiness to engage in responsible research practices.