Radiochemist for Radioisotope Production Development
Headline
Will you join us in the fight against cancer?
Highlights
- Unique opportunity to join a highly dedicated radioisotope R&D and production team
- Direct contribution to the development and implementation of next-generation therapeutic radioisotopes for cancer treatment
- Key role in establishing and supporting GMP-compliant radioisotope production processes, from development to operation
- Work at the interface of radiochemistry, engineering, automation, and quality systems
- Position for a PhD-level radiochemist with strong hands-on experience in radioactive material handling
Job description
SCK CEN has a strong strategic focus on radiopharmaceutical research and manufacturing of therapeutic radioisotopes for cancer treatment. Within the NMA institute (Nuclear Medical Applications) multidisciplinary teams work closely with clinical, academic, and industrial partners to develop, scale up, and implement radioisotope production processes that meet the highest quality and safety standards.
As a Radiochemist for Process Development towards radioisotope production, you will play a central role in supporting the development, implementation, and operation of GMP-compliant radioisotope production processes. The position has a broad scope, covering multiple radioisotopes and all relevant aspects of production, including radiochemical separations, automation, recycling of materials, quality systems, safety, and waste management.
You will work closely with other radiochemists, engineers, GMP experts, radiation protection specialists, and operations teams to ensure that radiochemical processes are robust, scalable, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
More specifically your responsibilities will be:
- Develop, optimize, and support radiochemical separation and purification processes for therapeutic radioisotopes
- Contribute to the implementation and operationalization of GMP-compliant radioisotope production processes, from R&D through technology transfer
- Design and execute experimental plans to de-risk, verify, and validate critical process steps
- Perform hands-on laboratory and hot cell work, including handling of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides
- Support and contribute to process automation, remote handling, and equipment integration
- Collaborate with GMP and quality experts to ensure pharmaceutical development principles are applied throughout process development
- Provide expert input for the selection and qualification of equipment, hot cells, and nuclear installations
- Perform theoretical calculations and assessments to support radiation safety, licensing, and shielding concepts
- Define radioactive waste streams and develop strategies for safe and compliant waste handling
- Document experimental work and process development in reports in line with GMP and quality requirements
- Support technology transfer and knowledge exchange between R&D and production environments internally and/or with external partners
Job requirements
- PhD in a relevant field (chemistry, engineering sciences, physics, or related discipline)
- Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in (radio)chemistry/radioisotope production or similar field
- Strong expertise in (radio)chemical separation process development
- Proven hands-on experience with handling radioactive materials, preferably including alpha-emitters, in laboratory or hot cell environments
- Solid understanding of radiation safety principles and associated regulatory requirements
- Willingness to perform hands-on experimental work in controlled radioactive environments
- Experience with process automation, remote handling, or equipment integration is a plus
- Knowledge of licensing processes for nuclear facilities or radioactive laboratories is an advantage
- Creative, solution-oriented, and result-driven mindset
- Strong team player with good organizational and interpersonal skills