About Us

The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine is one of the largest and most successful centres for research and education in the UK. The Faculty was created as a result of the merger of elements of the School of Biomedical Sciences with the School of Medicine. The merger brings together basic, translational and clinical scientists to provide new cross-School research collaborations while optimising the deployment of teaching expertise across the Faculty. The Faculty has unparalleled expertise in basic, translational and clinical research in: analytical and forensic science; asthma and allergy; biophysics and cell biology; cancer; cardiovascular; nutrition and diabetes; genetics; infection and immunology; imaging and biomedical engineering; transplantation immunology; pharmaceutical science; physiology and women's health. We also have thriving research programmes in global health, and health and social care. Further information about the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine may be found at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/index.aspx 

Within FoLSM, the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences is a cutting-edge research and teaching School dedicated to development, translation and clinical application within medical imaging and computational modelling technologies. Our objective is to facilitate research and teaching guided by clinical questions and is aimed at novelty, understanding of physiology and pathophysiology as well as development of new diagnostic tools and therapies. In this way, basic science can be rapidly translated into clinical applications (and vice versa). The School consists of eight research departments: Cardiovascular Imaging, Cancer Imaging, Early Life Imaging, Imaging Chemistry & Biology, Biomedical Computing, Surgical & Interventional Engineering, Imaging Physics & Engineering and Digital Twins for Healthcare. 

The Research Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology comprises a group of ca. 50 scientific and clinical researchers who drive translational radiopharmaceutical development, theragnostics, nanotechnology, metallomics, immuno-imaging, metabolic imaging, functional cardiac imaging, radiobiology, and engineering solutions for GMP radiopharmaceutical production. Embedding highly innovative scientists alongside clinical staff in a hospital environment has offered an unparalleled opportunity for translational impact that is being realised across the world-leading research infrastructure.

About The Role

The role is to synthesise and assess novel radiopharmaceuticals and multi-modal probes and provide expertise as a lead chemist in a multi-disciplinary team of chemists, radiochemists, (radio)biologists, preclinical molecular imaging scientists. Particular expertise is required in synthetic chemistry to design novel target structures suitable for labelling procedures.

The post holder will join the department of Imaging Chemistry & Biology and the CARL (Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Laboratory) facility with the specific role of designing and synthesising novel radiopharmaceuticals/multi-modal probes and perform radiolabelling research with established and novel radionuclides, including 18F, 124I, 68Ga, 161Tb, 64/67Cu, 203/212Pb, 211At.

Hence, we are looking for a talented and self-motivated scientist with a strong expertise in organic/organometallic chemistry and probe design to perform imaging probe development for future clinical translation. The post holder will work collaboratively with research groups externally, including industrial partners. 

The post holder will be expected not only to perform projects within their specified remit but also to provide training, assistance and advice to other workers and collaborators. 

The role may be a basis for first-author publications on the development of preclinical imaging methodology in this field as well as co-authoring user-led publications. 

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) and you will be offered a fixed term contract of 24 months from start date.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience: 

Essential criteria 

1. PhD level qualified in chemistry, radiochemistry (or relevant chemistry field) at or near completion 
2. Advanced knowledge in targeted (multi-modal) probe development. 
3. Expertise in development and optimisation of organic/organometallic synthesis methodology. 
4. Advanced skills in study/experimental design and analysis of complex research data. 
5. Basic knowledge of preclinical (in vitro and/or in vivo) validation. 
6. Expertise in bioconjugation techniques (peptides, antibodies) 
7. Excellent inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting, working closely with biologists, chemists, radiochemists and GMP radiopharmaceutical production facility. 
8. Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all findings, and to make these available to other members of the team.

Desirable criteria 

1. Advanced knowledge in the use of analytical spectroscopy techniques. 
2. Basic knowledge of one or more aspects of radiochemical synthesis (radiometal chelation, organic isotope labelling etc.) and/or photophysical molecular imaging properties. 
3. Knowledge in the design of imaging probe validation experiments using a combination of in vivo, in vitro and analytical methods.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible. 

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages. Interviews are due to be held on 6th June 2025.

Grade and Salary: £44,355 - £51,735 per annum including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 115625
Close Date: 04-Jun-2025
Contact Person: Stephen Archibald
Contact Details: stephen.archibald@kcl.ac.uk