PhD position in Radiopharmaceutical Sciences

radionuclide therapy is that radioactivity doses are delivered in the tumor very accurately. During this treatment, a radiopharmaceutical is administered to the cancer patient. This radiopharmaceutical is combining a radionuclide and a tumor-targeting vector, that selectively binds to a target protein aberrantly upregulated at the surface of the cancer cells. Emissions of beta and/or alpha particles by the radionuclide cause lethal damage to tumor cells. Prior to the treatment, a diagnostic scan is made to assess the localization of the tumor lesions, as well as proper staging and stratification of the patients that can undergo radionuclide therapy. Currently, the diagnostic imaging drug is chemically different from the therapeutic, which can lead to inadequate treatment. Differences between these diagnostic and therapeutic drugs are eliminated by developing theranostic twins. Molecular twins are chemically identical, and therefore they have identical in vivo behavior and can serve for both imaging and therapy. In fact, the molecular twins contain the diagnostic and the therapeutic nuclide, and depending on the application one nuclide is radioactive, whereas the other one is still present but under its non-radioactive form. This innovative approach is based on easily available fluorine-18 for PET-diagnostics combined with b- or a-emitters for therapy. With these twins the right cancer patients are selected for treatment with optimal therapy. In this project funded by NWO-TTW, UMCG and Erasmus MC will develop theranostic twins for treating cancer. The best twin will be prepared for a first-in-man clinical trial.

Applications are invited from enthusiastic and talented young researchers with an active interest in tracer development and translational radiopharmaceutical research. Qualifications and skills:

• You have a Master’s degree in organic chemistry, (radio)pharmaceutical chemistry or similar.
• You have already experience in organic chemistry or medicine chemistry.
• You are at ease operating analytical and preparative HPLC systems.
• You have excellent command of English, both spoken and written.
• You have a positive, interactive and agile mindset, and enjoy continuously expanding your experimental and therotical competences.

These criteria are considered advantages, but not requirements:

• Previous experience in handling radioactivity and performing radiolabeling procedures.
• Practical experience with cell culture and in vitro assays.
• Theoretical knowledge of pharmacology and tumor biology.

A healthy population and excellence in healthcare through research and education. This is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way in research, education, and healthcare. We are practical people with a high level of expertise, working hard to improve and renew the healthcare of today and the public health of tomorrow.

The candidate will be positioned at the department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. Our department is known for its forefront research and its state-of-the-art facilities. The concept of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) was introduced in our department and several theranostic agents were developed and tested from bench-to-bedside. The candidate will be a member of the RadioPharmaceutical Chemistry group and will work in collaboration with other research groups specialized in molecular imaging and targeted radiotherapy.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Yann Seimbille, 010 703 89 61.

If you are excited by the thought of this position and would like to apply, please do so by using the application form on our website.