2024001862 - Radiopharmaceutical Scientist

Job Summary

NL Health Services are seeking a senior Radiopharmaceutical Scientist with specialization in the validation of clinical processes, analytical equipment, and the use of radioactive materials in clinical applications. Reporting to the Manager of Radiopharmaceutical Sciences and Cyclotron Operations, the Scientist will work in a multidisciplinary team to validate various clinical and development programs linked to the synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals. The Radiopharmaceutical Scientist must be capable of providing operational support to technical and production staff and will be responsible for the process optimization and validation of ongoing radiopharmaceutical production activities, as well as the introduction and establishment of new radiopharmaceuticals.

The Scientist will spend a significant amount of time planning and executing equipment validations and planning and executing clinical experiments. The Scientist must keep up to date with advances in technology and innovation in the radiochemistry field, as well as maintain knowledge of safety regulations and procedures related to working with radioactive materials to identify new technologies and methods that can improve current implemented processes in Radiopharmaceutical Sciences at NL Health Services.

Radiopharmaceutical Sciences holds a CNSC Class-II licence to operate and service an isotope production accelerator facility. The Scientist will be required to successfully obtain and maintain the CNSC Class-II RSO designation and be involved in the day-to-day radiation safety program of the facility. The Scientist will be responsible for the development and execution of validation protocols in accordance with GMP guidelines for the analytical quantification of all produced radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals, which include process development for equipment such as radio-TLC, radio-HPLC, radio-GC, automated synthesis units and RP dispensing systems. The Scientist will also be responsible for the analysis and interpretation of the complex data obtained from the experiments and validation procedures.

The Radiopharmaceutical Scientist will use knowledge of chemistry and nuclear medicine to study the properties of radioactive materials to help the multidisciplinary team establish procedures for the production of new radiotracers for clinical use, as well as work collaboratively with other professionals, including radiochemists, engineers and technologists, to achieve common goals and project objectives.

The Scientist will be responsible for developing all documentation related to the experimental and validation of equipment activities and translating the documentation into Standard Operating Procedures and Recording Forms to be used by the production team. The Scientist must ensure that all activities are carried out by following established Quality Assurance / Quality Control procedures, applicable environmental and safety regulations, and other requirements. The Scientist will be required to maintain a database of all equipment used in the clinical and research environment and ensure proper calibrations, preventive maintenance and validations have been performed on the respective devices. When activities are performed in-house, the Scientist is responsible for performing such activities or ensure the equipment is sent out to a certified 3rd party.

Job Demands

By applying for this job, you acknowledge an understanding that regular requirements and demands of this job include (but are not limited to) :

Regularly moves or lifts objects between 10-50+ lbs. such as shielded radioactive sources and lead bricks.

Constantly sits to perform paper / computer work and operation of remote equipment; regularly walks or stands to perform radiopharmaceutical production, cyclotron and equipment maintenance.

Regularly performs fine finger / precision computer work; handling of open source radioactivity and radioactive equipment / components requiring steadiness and accurate movement / control.

Regularly works in confined / awkward spaces where reaching, bending and crouching are required to complete maintenance work.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are a regular requirement, including gloves and gowns.

Job Qualifications

Master's degree in radiochemistry, organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry, or a science related field is required.

Doctorate level degree is preferred.

A minimum of five years of experience within the last seven years working with analytical equipment such as HPLC, GC, TLC, Automated Chemistry Modules is required, including a minimum of two years of experience involved in developing, testing, and validating equipment.

A minimum of three years of experience within the last seven years working with Radiopharmaceuticals / Radionuclides is required.

Experience working in a Health Canada GMP facility is an asset.

Experience in Microbiology (sterility and pyrogen testing or working with microbials) is an asset.

Strong knowledge of analytical equipment and validation of clinical processes in the use and production of radiopharmaceuticals.

Demonstrated strong teamwork skills.

Demonstrated strong leadership skills.

Proven analytical, critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making and organizational skills.

A satisfactory record of attendance and work performance and attendance is required.

• This position may require extensive, additional on-the-job training. The successful applicant must be willing to complete any education / training that is required by the department.
• The successful applicant must be eligible for Nuclear Energy Worker (NEW) status.
• This is a reposted position. If you have already applied your application is on file for consideration.

Employees, to review your attendance record please refer to your employee portal on the Intranet for details. The attendance record is only available to employees who are currently in positions that accumulate sick time.

If this is an internal posting only, only applicants of the Eastern Health NAPE LX Regional Bargaining Unit will be considered. If this is an internal and external posting, all applications will be accepted and preference will be given to those qualified candidates who are internal to the Eastern Health NAPE LX Regional Bargaining Unit.