Posted on : Wednesday 6 September 2017

Job title : Research assistant with an opportunity to do a PhD

Organization : The ICMI lab in Brussels (In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Lab - http://www.icmibrussels.be) is urgently seeking for one highly motivated chemist/radiochemist who is aiming to start as a Research assistant but with the opportunity to do a PhD. This is a position for 2 years from an EU-funding training network, (Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN-ETN PET3D-programme in “PET imaging in Drug Design and Development”).
PET3D-programme in “PET imaging in Drug Design and Development” comprises a total of 15 cutting edge research projects in three main therapeutic areas of oncology, cardiovascular and central nervous system at eight beneKciary institutions, providing research and training in the Keld of drug design and health. Leading experts in medicinal and organic chemistry, peptide and protein chemistry, radio-chemistry, pharmacology, cell and pre-clinical biology, molecular imaging, image analysis, and radiology are involved in PET3D. This expertise will be combined to train the next generation of molecular imaging experts. 6 academic and 2 nonacademic beneKciaries will provide this unique training opportunity that will transfer key multidisciplinary and industry-relevant skills to 15 ESRs. BeneKciaries: UK - University of Aberdeen UK - Coordinating University- (Graduate School in Life Sciences and Medicine); The Netherlands - Stichting VU-VUMC; Belgium - Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Spain - Asociación – CIC biomaGUNE; Germany - Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster; UK – Imanova Limited; Sweden - AstraZeneca plc.
PET3D AIM: PET imaging will be used to revolutionize drug design and development by providing reliable answers at a much earlier stage of drug development to key questions emerging during the disease care cycle, thus facilitating effective transition from pre-clinical to clinical phase in drug development.
http://www.pet3d.eu

Mission : Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments – the recombinantly produced antigen-binding domains of heavy chain-only antibodies, also called nanobodies – are proKcient probes for molecular imaging due to their small size (15 kDa), high stability and speciKcity towards in vivo targets of disease. In this project we aim at the development of a method for radiolabeling of nanobodies with the prosthetic group FFDR ([ F]-5-Fluoro-5-deoxyribose), evaluation of in vitro functionality, in vivo biodistribution and tumor targeting of the resulting nanobody tracers. This project aims are: (1) Nanobody generation and puriKcation (2) Radiolabeling with F-18 using FDR ([ F]-5-Fluoro-5-deoxyribose) prosthetic group; (3) Development of quality control procedures; (4) Preclinical validation in vitro (acnity measurements, cell binding assays, etc) and in vivo (biodistribution with pre-clinical PET/CT imaging techniques in animal models of disease); (5) Selection of a lead compound for GMP production; (6) learn about GMP production; (7) learn about Clinical translation: including IMPD writing, deKnition of patients population.

The main responsibilities of the candidate will be:
- To manage and carry out an independent research project in close collaboration with partners in PET3D
- To actively participate in research and training activities within the PET3D network
- To contribute to writing articles for scientiKc journals
- To disseminate research results in the scientiKc community (via international conferences) and in the non-scientiKc community (via outreach and public engagement)
Questions about content? Contact Vicky Caveliers on Vicky.Caveliers@vub.ac.be or Catarina Xavier on cxavier@vub.ac.be

There are strict eligibility requirements for the ESR positions in Marie Sklowdoska-Curie Innovative Training Networks. Please ensure that you are eligible before applying, as ineligible candidates cannot be considered.
Applicants should not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.
Secondments: (i) 4 months at University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom (month 7); (ii) 6 months at Imanova, UK (month 24).

More information is available at www.vub.ac.be (http://www.vub.ac.be) under the heading ‘future employees’.

Locality : Brussels

Remuneration :

Degrees required : Master Degree or equivalent - Degree Field: Chemistry/ Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmaceutical Chemistry/ Organic Chemistry - Career Stage: Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate) - Research ProKles: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Skills required : Career proKle and potential for excellence Ability and motivation to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team - Excellent oral and written communicative and intercultural skills - Willingness for signiKcant mobility throughout Europe and stakeholder interactions - Laboratory experience in chemistry and radiochemistry is an advantage - Excellent attitude and commitment to work - Required Languages ENGLISH

Contact : cxavier@vub.ac.be or Vicky.Caveliers@vub.ac.be. For more information: Call Hilde Willems at the number: 02/4749312