Postdoctoral Research Associate - Radiopharmaceutical Chelator Development

Requisition Id 17038 

Overview:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a strong background in organic synthesis and coordination chemistry to develop novel chelation platforms for s-, p- and f-block radioactive ions of interest in nuclear medicine. This position resides in the Chemical Separations Group in the Chemical Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), under the mentorship of Dr. Nikki Thiele.

As part of the Chemical Separations Group, you will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists in organic and inorganic synthesis, coordination chemistry, thermodynamics, laser spectroscopy, materials characterization, chemical separations, computational chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Our cold labs house state-of-the-art instruments including a triple-quad ICP mass spectrometer, single-crystal X-ray diffractometer, potentiometric titrators, and ultrafast laser systems. Our radiochemistry facility includes six hoods and two gloveboxes equipped for radiological work, as well as a suite of radioanalytical instrumentation for detection of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-emitting isotopes and quantification of radioactive complexes.

As a member of our research team, you will take a leading role in the design, synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of novel chelation platforms for medically relevant radionuclides. You will be expected to independently drive research projects forward, troubleshoot challenging synthetic and coordination chemistry problems, and generate high-quality, publishable research. Your work will focus on developing selective chelation strategies and applying these systems to targeted radionuclide therapy and cancer imaging. Research accomplishments will be disseminated through high-impact peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific meetings.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Design, synthesize, and evaluate novel chelators for radioactive s-, p-, and f-block metal ions.
• Independently execute and troubleshoot complex, multi-step organic syntheses on the multi-gram scale, including reaction optimization, scale-up, purification, and preparation of well-characterized target compounds.
• Apply a range of analytical and characterization techniques to evaluate chelator structure, affinity, selectivity, and metal complexation, including radio-TLC, radio-HPLC, potentiometric titrimetry, UV-vis spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
• Take ownership of research projects, including experimental planning, prioritization of tasks, interpretation of results, troubleshooting, and development of next-step strategies.
• Collaborate effectively with scientists across disciplines while independently advancing assigned research objectives.
• Present research results at group meetings, scientific conferences, and other professional forums.
• Prepare manuscripts and publish research results in high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate and thorough experimental records and ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in chemistry, nuclear chemistry, or a related discipline, completed within the last five years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates should have a demonstrated record of independently completing complex synthetic procedures and producing well-characterized target compounds, rather than primarily supporting synthesis efforts led by others.
• Strong record of taking projects from initial design through synthesis, purification, characterization, and delivery of target compounds.
• Extensive hands-on experience with multi-step organic synthesis, particularly synthesis of chelators or other complex organic molecules at gram scale, including reaction optimization, troubleshooting, scale-up, and isolation/purification using techniques such as column chromatography, recrystallization, and preparative HPLC.
• Strong expertise in chemical characterization and analytical methods, including NMR, UV-vis, FT-IR, mass spectrometry, HPLC, and related techniques, with the ability to independently interpret data and assess compound identity and purity.
• Proven ability to work independently and drive research forward, including identifying problems, developing solutions, and making sound decisions without requiring extensive day-to-day supervision.
• Radiochemistry and/or nuclear chemistry experience is preferred but not required; willingness and ability to learn radiochemical techniques is essential.
• Exceptional scientific communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate experimental results, prepare high-quality manuscripts, and present research effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple technically demanding projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain high-quality work in a fast-paced research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work creatively and effectively in multidisciplinary collaborative teams, while maintaining ownership and accountability for individual research responsibilities.
• Strong scientific judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to producing high-quality, reproducible experimental results.

Special Requirements:

• Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Letters of Recommendation: 

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.