The department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (NGMB) uses medical imaging techniques to make abnormalities in humans visible. These imaging techniques ("scans") use radioactively labeled tracers (radiopharmaceuticals). These scans are used, among other things, for the diagnosis of a large number of diseases, assessing the effectiveness of a treatment, drug research, and fundamental research into the processes that play a role in various diseases. In addition, substituting the diagnostic radionuclide with a therapeutical radionuclide enables the use of these radiopharmaceuticals in the treatment of patients. The NGMB department is part of the Medical Imaging Center (MIC) and subsequently, part of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). The department plays an important role in high-quality patient care within the UMCG, in education, and research. In addition, the department participates in various partnerships with universities and industries at home and abroad.

Research topic: New radionuclide therapy agents against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients correspond to 10-25% of BC patients who do not benefit from alternative treatments when standard treatment fails. The aim of this project is to investigate whether target radionuclide therapy (TRT) can be used as an efficient alternative treatment for TNBC. The successful applicant will synthesize new novel radionuclide therapy agents including multi-step synthesis of the precursors and non-radioactive standards; perform the radiolabeling of the newly synthesized compounds and investigate the effectiveness of each new radiopharmaceutical using different models in vitro, such as different tumor cell lines and in vivo models. We are looking for an excellent, highly motivated, resilient, and independent PhD candidate with a background in Chemistry and with high knowledge of organic chemistry.

- You have followed a course radiation hygiene, or are willing to follow this.
- You will receive a master's degree in a chemistry or pharmacy field.
- You have experience in organic chemistry.
- You are willing to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, with a high degree of cross-training.
- You are willing to work with radionuclides.
- You have excellent organizational skills.
- You have excellent communication skills in English (written and oral).
- You have experience with open source ionizing radiation, radiochemistry, and/or radionuclide therapy is a plus.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.
In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

You will recieve a contract for 4 years fulltime (36 hours). Your salary will be a minimum of € 2.631,- gross per month in the first year and a maximum of € 3.336,- gross per month (scale PRO) in the final (fourth) year, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Nucleaire Geneeskunde & Moleculaire Beeldvorming