Research Assistant in Radiopharmaceutical Development

The research group of Helge Thisgaard at the Department of Nuclear Medicine (Odense University Hospital) and the Research Unit of Clinical Physiology & Nuclear Medicine (University of Southern Denmark, SDU) invites applications for a research assistant position within the field of targeted brain cancer radiotherapy. The position is available from 1st of July 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter, initially for 9 months, with the possibility of extension. Application deadline: 23rd of May 2021.

Background

The research project forms part a larger consortium that investigates new classes of radiolabeled drugs for receptor-targeted radiotherapy of glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain cancer. Currently, no efficient or curative treatments exist, resulting in extremely poor prognosis and short survival times. We invite you to join us in our efforts to treat this disease. We have obtained very promising initial results with new compounds and are currently expanding their biological investigation to prepare for first use in humans. The particular project will focus on biological evaluation and characterization of such new radiolabeled drugs in glioblastoma cells in vitro followed by in vivo studies in glioblastoma-bearing research animals. The knowledge obtained will be essential for future translation of this new therapeutic strategy to brain cancer patients, which is planned in the coming 2-3 years.
The applicant will be an integral part of a highly multidisciplinary and established team of scientists, ranging from synthetic chemists to neurosurgeons, from the Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Neurosurgery and the Hevesy Laboratory at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

The position is directly funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark, while our extended effort on glioblastoma is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, The Danish Cancer Society, DTU and SDU.

For further information please contact Assoc. Prof., Head of Preclinical Research, Helge Thisgaard at Odense University Hospital (helge.thisgaard@rsyd.dk).

Key Responsibilities:
-Biological characterization of new radiopharmaceuticals in glioblastoma cells in vitro
-Demonstration of in vitro therapeutic efficacy
-In vivo investigation in orthotopic glioblastoma-bearing rats

Qualifications
We are looking for highly motivated, dedicated and ambitious scientists with:

-A Master's degree in cell biology, biomedicine, pharmacology, or another related discipline
-Laboratory experience
-Experience with in vitro cell assays (required)
-Good communication and collaborative skills and an interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment
-Full proficiency in spoken and written English.

Experience with the following will be an advantage:
-Handling of radioisotopes
-Viability assays, fluorescence microscopy
-Laboratory animal handling
-FELASA, ABD certified
-Rodent surgery, especially intracranial injections of compounds
-In vivo imaging, PET or SPECT, and image analysis

Research environment

The group of Helge Thisgaard is a preclinical research group at Odense University Hospital - Department of Nuclear Medicine and the University of Southern Denmark - Department of Clinical Research.

The main focus of the group is development of new radiopharmaceuticals for PET-imaging and Auger-electron radiotherapy of cancer with special emphasis on glioblastoma treatment. Our ultimate goal is to diagnose and cure cancer in a one-off treatment that could save patients' lives, reduce healthcare costs and completely change the landscape of current cancer therapies. We do this by developing a ground-breaking type of theranostic cancer treatment, comprising a targeting diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical that addresses one and the same target. Hence, diagnostic molecular imaging using the same host molecule will guide delivery of the targeting therapy. Our network comprises partners across the full spectrum of radiopharmaceutical development in several countries in the EU and abroad.

We offer a unique and stimulating work environment, scientifically and socially, with close collaboration with other research groups at University of Southern Denmark, the Department of Neurosurgery at Odense University Hospital as well as with the Targeted Radionuclides research group at the Hevesy Laboratory of DTU. We provide great guidance and knowledge of radiopharmaceutical development and biological evaluation of novel compounds for cancer treatment.

Application

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The application must contain (as pdf.- or docx.-files):

-A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages)
-A detailed CV
-A complete and numbered list of publications and conference abstracts (if available)
-Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master's degree, including transcript of notes/grades

Incomplete applications with regard to the above-mentioned requirements and applications received after the deadline will not be assessed. Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

The hospital wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.