Scientist in Preclinical Radiopharmaceutical Research
Headline
Help shape the future of cancer treatment with targeted radionuclide therapies
Highlights
- Design and perform preclinical studies with therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals
- Evaluate radiobiological responses to radionuclide therapies
- Collaborate across teams
Job description
The Radiobiology Unit, at the Nuclear Medical Applications Institute, at SCK CEN offers a dynamic and collaborative setting at the forefront of cancer therapy research.
Our team of scientists, technicians and PhD students investigates how ionizing radiation from therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals interacts with cancer, aiming to optimize the efficacy and safety of targeted radionuclide therapies.
Research spans preclinical cancer models, therapeutic efficacy, and radiobiological assessments.
The unit closely collaborates with other SCK CEN units specializing in radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, dosimetry, and ligand development, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach. Partnerships with academia and industry further accelerate the translation of our findings into clinical applications.
Responsibilities
- Independently design, conduct, analyze, interpret, and report preclinical studies on biodistribution, therapeutic efficacy, and radiobiological endpoints of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals in cancer models
- Operate and analyze experiments using specialized radiopharmaceutical platforms, including dose calibrators, gamma counters, autoradiography, and µSPECT/CT systems
- Troubleshoot, validate, and deliver high-quality experimental data in line with project milestones and timelines
- Contribute to funding applications, project proposals and budget planning, ethical dossiers, publications, and scientific presentations
- Support daily laboratory operations, including shared responsibility for facilities, equipment, and consumables
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to advance translational radiopharmaceutical research
- Ensure strict compliance with animal welfare legislation, biosafety protocols, radiation protection rules, and ethical standards
Job requirements
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related fields
- Strong track record in therapeutic radiopharmaceutical evaluation using in vivo cancer models
- Hands-on experience in biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy studies of radionuclide therapies
- Background in radiobiology, cancer biology, or tumor microenvironment research is a strong asset
- FELASA certification (or equivalent) with extensive in vivo experimentation skills
- Practical experience in handling therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, including quality control and radioactive waste management
- Understanding of the (pre)clinical and industrial landscape of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals
- Solid scientific record in therapeutic radiopharmaceutical research, evidenced by publications or translational outputs
- Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary collaborations across academia and industry
- Strong awareness of biosafety, radiation protection, ethical standards, and translational requirements
- Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail
- Proactive, independent, and reliable, with strong team spirit
- Effective communication, reporting, and scientific writing skills
- Commitment to advancing therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals with the highest standards of quality and safety