Postdoctoral Research Associate - Radiochemistry

at  Oak Ridge National Laboratory

OVERVIEW:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.
We are seeking a seeking passionate Postdoctoral Fellow to contribute to groundbreaking research at the intersection of radiochemistry, chemistry, nuclear medicine, and biomedical engineering. This position will support a collaboration with the University of Tennessee (UT) Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (ORII) Convergent Research Initiative as we pioneer the future of radiopharmaceutical therapies. This initiative aims to revolutionize the development and translation of radiopharmaceutical therapies for clinical applications through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge innovation.

The research will focus on the advancement of radiopharmaceutical therapy. This position will have opportunities to perform R&D in:

• The enhancement of reactor-based radionuclide production using advanced targetry and cross-section analysis.
• The development of separations chemistry and advanced automation for radionuclide processing.
• The design of chelators for radionuclide coordination and their attachment to targeting vectors.
• The exploration of nanotechnology approaches for radionuclide encapsulation and targeted delivery.
• The advancement of radiobiology and dosimetry, with a focus on therapeutic efficacy.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD degree in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering, radiation oncology, or a related field completed within the last five years.
• Expertise in one or more of the following fields: radiochemistry, radiobiology, molecular imaging, therapeutic radionuclide production, and/or targeted drug delivery, optimizing radiopharmaceutical therapies.
• Experience in collecting and interpreting radioanalytical data.
• Strong computer and organizational skills with the ability to multitask.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of conveying complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, mentorship, and professional activities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary research teams and foster collaborations.
• Strong record of research accomplishments evidenced by publications and impactful contributions to the field.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.
Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.

• Collaborate with researchers from diverse disciplines within ORNL, UT, and external partners to leverage expertise in chemistry, nuclear medicine, radiobiology, medical physics, and clinical oncology for the advancement of radiopharmaceutical therapy development.
• Conduct innovative research within the field of radiopharmaceutical development (e.g., radionuclide production, radiopharmaceutical design and synthesis, and radiobiology) to improve therapeutic efficacy and minimize off-target effects.
• Work closely with university and clinical partners to aid in the translation of promising radiopharmaceutical therapies from preclinical studies to clinical trials, ensuring regulatory compliance, safety, and efficacy assessments.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, present at scientific conferences, and engage in outreach activities to disseminate research outcomes and improve the visibility of ORNL, UT, and ORII in the field of radiopharmaceutical therapy.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.