Description:
McMaster University is seeking talented, self motivated scientist for a research position in radioisotope production. You will join a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary department of radiochemists, engineers, and nuclear physicists at McMaster Nuclear.
McMaster Nuclear comprises a world class suite of nuclear facilities, including the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, the McMaster University Cyclotron Facility, the McMaster Accelerator Laboratory, the McMaster High Level Laboratory Facility, the Centre for Advanced Nuclear Systems, and the Taylor Radiobiology Source. This suite of nuclear facilities is key to our identity as “Canada’s Nuclear University” and a major effort is underway to increase the research and educational impact of these facilities in this priority strategic area of the University.
The McMaster 5 MW nuclear research reactor and 16 MeV cyclotron are complementary in production of medical isotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, supporting preclinical and clinical research locally, nationally, and globally. You will join McMaster Nuclear's radioisotope research program lead by Dr. Karin Nielsen (Manager of Radioisotope R&D & Class II Facilities and Adjunct Assist Prof at Dept Chemistry & Physics) to develop and optimize production routes for novel and established radioisotopes, including Ho-166, Cu-67, Au-199, Sc-44, Mn-52, Br-76, and collaboratively working with Faculty and external collaborators to expand the breadth of the research program.
Alongside project execution, you will be expected to provide training, assistance and advice to students, coworkers, and research collaborators. The position will be a basis for authoring publications on the development of innovative methodologies in this field.
Job Summary:
Responsible for developing new processes for the production of reactor-generated radioisotopes for both research and commercial applications. This is a research-focused position that encompasses the selection of radioisotope candidates, development of chemical processing strategies to prepare the candidates, and scale-up of these processes to commercially relevant quantities, as well as the training and supervision of junior researchers, and the training of technicians to carry out routine radioisotope production according to prescribed methods.
Purpose and Key Functions:
- Develop methodologies for the preparation and purification of reactor-produced radioisotopes.
- Develop pilot scale production methodologies for commercially viable radioisotope candidates and scale them to realize commercial outcomes meeting yield and quantity demands.
- Develop and validate formulae to predict theoretical production yields that can be compared to experimental data.
- Provide technical and commercial input into new product sales and marketing.
- Select radioisotopes of interest and define the scope of new research projects aimed at producing those radioisotopes.
- Develop and review production methodologies and assess the practicality of deploying them for commercial purposes taking into consideration the reactor’s production capacity for each radioisotope and current radioisotope market demand.
- Conduct database, literature, and web searches to identify relevant scientific documents and articles.
- Obtain and critically review scientific literature to formulate new research avenues.
- Conduct necessary scientific experiments to create optimized radioisotope production processes.
- Repeat small and medium scale production runs of certain radioisotope on-demand for researchers and customers.
- Scrutinize and interpret experimental data.
- Document experimental results in laboratory notebooks.
- Author scientific documents for publication.
- Write grant proposals for submission to funding agencies.
- Write standard operating procedures for radioisotope production processes.
- Design and deliver poster and oral presentations about radioisotope research at conferences and workshops.
- Provide advice and consultation to others in the specialized field of radioisotope applications and production.
- Exchange technical and scientific information with colleagues.
- Characterize chemical compounds by methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), neutron activation analysis (NAA), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and magnetic sensors (MS).
- Characterize radioisotopes by gamma spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC).
- Recruit and hire student researchers.
- Create, define and manage their research projects.
- Operate various pieces of scientific equipment including set up, calibration, and routine maintenance .
- Determine cause of equipment malfunction and system disruptions.
- Perform standard chemical and radiochemical labotatory duties such as calculating ratios for preparing chemical solutions, weighing samples, preparing and handling samples for analysis, pipetting and injecting various solutions.
- Conduct research at the leading edge of current knowledge where change is ongoing and continuous.
Supervision:
- Ongoing responsibility for supervising up to 9 casual employees at any one time.
- Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff.
Assets:
- PhD awarded in Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Nuclear Physics, Cyclotron Engineering or related chemistry, physics, or engineering fields
- Previous experience with radioisotope production and/or processing is required
The following experience will be an asset for the candidates:
- Comprehensive knowledge of radioisotope production, including cyclotron and/or reactor production routes, targetry design and production yield calculations
- Advanced knowledge of the safe handling of radioactive materials, including gamma, beta, and alpha emitters
- Advanced skills in study/experimental design and analysis of complex research data
- Practical experience with chemical separation techniques, such as solid phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, dry distillation
- Experience in use of radiochemical analytical methods, such as HPGe detector, radio-HPLC/TLC and ICP equipment, to assess radionuclide quality
- Experience with GLP/GMP
- The Nuclear Radioisotope Research & Development group work as an integrated team, the ability to function both independently and as part of a group is an important asset.
Additional Information:
Nuclear Operations Security Provisions:
Security clearances and background checks are necessary due to the sensitive nature of the nuclear facility’s operations and regulatory licensing (Nuclear Safety Control Act) requirements. As a condition of employment for this Appointment, you must successfully complete the appropriate and necessary security screenings / clearances (documentation will follow in a separate email). You will be advised in writing by the University whether this condition has been met upon the University's receipt of the results. If you are unsuccessful in these processes, you will not be able to meet the job requirements and therefore any offer of employment will be rescinded or will result in your employment with the University will be terminated.
Nuclear Energy Worker:
As part of the employment for this appointment, you will be declared a Nuclear Energy Worker. Given the nature of the work environment where you will be performing your duties, which includes entering and working in radiological hazardous environments, the University requires the use of protective equipment such as respirators, protective clothing, and gloves, as necessary to enter these areas. The University is committed to fostering a safe and healthy work environment
