About the project
The project focusses on development of new metal complexes for radiofluorination for potential applications as next generation medical imaging agents via positron emission tomography (PET) – an important and widely used medical imaging technique used in hospitals and clinics for detection of diseases such as cancers.
Developing new chelate scaffolds for binding radiofluorine and radiometals – towards combined theragnostic agents for imaging and therapy in medicine.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified and motivated candidates for an EPSRC CASE PhD studentship based in School of Chemistry, in collaboration with partners at GE Healthcare.
This project is at the coordination chemistry/radiochemistry interface and the successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop skills in the synthesis and characterisation of metal fluoride complexes with macrocyclic co-ligands as possible PET tracer candidates, as well as to use GE Healthcare’s facilities at St Thomas’ Hospital (London) to develop efficient methods for their radiofluorination (with the fluorine-18 isotope), purification and stability testing.
The potential of the compounds for incorporating radiometals will also be explored.
The successful candidate will join a well-established research activity in Chemistry at Southampton and will have access to state-of-the art facilities for the synthesis and characterisation of inorganic coordination complexes.
Applicants should hold or be about to hold a 1st class or 2:1 degree in Chemistry or a closely related subject and have a keen interest in both the synthetic and radiochemical aspects of the project.
Research experience in molecular inorganic chemistry/coordination chemistry and inert atmosphere techniques would be advantageous.
Full funding for this project is available for 42 months, sponsored by EPSRC and GE Healthcare.
Please note that due to funding restrictions this position is open to UK candidates only.
