The Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Pharmacy at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a PhD position in Targeted Radiotheranostic Pharmaceuticals. This position is part of a multidisciplinary project in collaboration with the Preclinical Research Group at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, focusing on the development of innovative radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging and precision radiotherapy.

Project Overview

This PhD project will contribute to advancing the field of targeted radionuclide therapies, particularly for brain cancer. The work involves:

• Chemical synthesis and characterization of chelators designed for binding theranostic metal isotopes (e.g., Sb, Co, Cu, Ga).
• Development and purification of peptide-chelator conjugates using solid-phase methods.
• Radiolabeling and evaluation of these compounds through in vitro cell testing and small animal studies.

The research spans multiple disciplines, including synthetic chemistry, radiochemistry, molecular biology, and nuclear medicine.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize new chelators and their metal ion complexes.
• Synthesize peptides and conjugate them with chelators using solid-phase peptide synthesis.
• Assist in radiolabeling experiments and optimize methods for theranostic isotope pairs.
• Perform spectroscopic and analytical characterization using techniques such as NMR, IR, UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, HPLC, and X-ray diffraction.
• Collaborate on in vitro cell testing and small animal studies for lead compounds.

Eligibility Requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who meets the following criteria:

• Educational Background:
  • MSc in Chemistry or a related field.
• Skills and Experience:
  • Extensive experience in synthetic chemistry, chelator design, and solid-phase peptide synthesis.
  • Proficiency in analytical techniques such as NMR, HPLC, UV-vis, IR, and X-ray diffraction.
  • Hands-on experience with radiolabeling, confocal microscopy, and cell culture techniques is advantageous.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines.

What We Offer

• Duration: A fully funded PhD position for three years.
• Start Date: 15 March 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.
• Salary and Benefits: Competitive salary under the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations, including holiday allowances and pension contributions.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research with applications in health and precision medicine.

How to Apply

Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 16 January 2025, 23:59 local Danish time.

Required Documents:

1. A cover letter detailing your motivation for the position.
2. A detailed CV.
3. Copies of academic transcripts and diplomas.
4. Contact information for two referees.

Application Process:
Applications must be submitted via the official SDU application portal at www.sdu.dk. Ensure that all documents are in PDF format and submitted before the deadline.

For further information, please contact Professor Christine J. McKenzie.