Radiopharmaceuticals are indispensable for health care professionals to diagnose numerous diseases, including many types of cancer. In about 80% of these applications the radionuclide Tc-99m is used, which has ideal imaging characteristics and can easily be extracted on-site from a Mo-99/Tc-99m generator. However, current production methods are based on just a few (aging) nuclear reactors worldwide, and produce considerable amounts of long-lived radioactive waste. To be able to continue using these essential isotopes in the future, we propose to use new, clean production routes via the irradiation of stable molybdenum isotopes. However, this direct production route results in very low specific activity Mo-99, rendering existing generators with low adsorption capacity unable to adsorb a sufficient quantity of Mo-99 for use in the clinic.

Our innovative approach is to develop a nanomaterial-based Mo-99/Tc-99m radionuclide generator, which will enable local Mo-99 production by overcoming the inherent capacity problems of the current generator material. In this project, you will combine concepts from different fields including nanotechnology (synthesizing molybdenum-based nanomaterials) and radiochemistry (radiochemical separation to selectively extract Tc-99m) to create the new generator, demonstrate production site versatility in both research reactors and accelerators, and assess whether the produced Tc-99m conforms to the European pharmacopeia standards for use in the clinic. The research will be highly multidisciplinary, including all aspects of designing, synthesizing, characterizing, and fabricating the novel radionuclide generator in close collaboration with industry leaders and university hospitals. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student who

• has an MSc in a relevant field, such as chemical engineering, physical chemistry, inorganic or coordination chemistry, radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry or similar
• combines creativity with a sound academic attitude;
• has excellent experimental skills;
• has excellent communication skills in English, both in writing and speaking;
• is motivated to work in a multidisciplinary team;
• is a good team-player and able to work in a collaborative environment.

Fixed-term contract: 4 jaar.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Department

Faculty of Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1800 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The department of Radiation Science and Technology (www.rst.tudelft.nl) focuses on research and education in materials, energy and health with radiation as the common denominator. Fields of interest are medical radioisotopes, materials for energy storage, technologies for diagnosis and treatment of diseases, advanced instrument development and sustainable nuclear energy. The section Applied Radiation & Isotopes (ARI), where this project will be based, runs projects on the production of radionuclides, chemical separation and radiolabeling, targeting approaches for radionuclide therapy,  chemical speciation, application of radiotracers in life science, and the combination of radiation therapy with different treatment modalities.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/faculty-of-applied-sciences