Description
Director of Radiochemistry Research
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA invites applications and nominations for an internationally recognized leader and scholar to join the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics as the inaugural Director of Radiochemistry Research to help build a world class academic radiochemistry program at one of the world’s leading universities. This position would be a tenured faculty appointment in the Regular Professor Series at UCLA, with rank commensurate with academic credentials and accomplishments.
UCLA is proud to be ranked the #2 public university in the nation, with UCLA Health recognized as the #1 hospital in both California and Los Angeles by U.S. News & World Report. The David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA is home to 36 members of the National Academy of Medicine and 20 members of the National Academy of Sciences, reflecting a legacy of excellence in research, education and patience care.
Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics, the Director of Radiochemistry Research (Director) will have the opportunity to expand and strengthen UCLA’s rapidly growing theranostics program through innovation, collaboration, and successful clinical translation. The Director will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of chemists, radiochemists, physicists, biologists, and clinicians to develop and translate next-generation small-molecule, peptide, and radiometal-based imaging and therapeutic agents labeled with positron-, beta-, gamma-, and alpha-emitting radionuclides.
The Director of Radiochemistry Research will primarily provide scientific leadership to create a world class academic radiochemistry program. In addition, the Director will serve in an operational capacity for UCLA’s cyclotron and PET radiochemistry facilities, providing guidance for the production of clinical and preclinical imaging biomarkers and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals in compliance with institutional procedures, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), FDA regulations, United States Pharmacopeia standards, and ALARA radiation safety principles. In addition, the Director will contribute to the educational mission of the Department by teaching and mentoring residents, fellows, faculty, research associates, and students in radiopharmaceutical production, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and translational radiochemistry.
The ideal candidate will be a highly accomplished scholar and innovative scientist with a PhD (preferably in Chemistry), or an equivalent degree, and a demonstrated record of excellence in radiochemistry, theranostics, molecular imaging, and translational research. The successful candidate will have extensive expertise in radiochemical synthesis, organic chemistry, analytical methods, and the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals, together with an outstanding publication record in leading journals and a proven track record of extramural funding.
Candidates should also possess outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, a demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, and bring a vision for building and advancing a world-class radiochemistry and theranostics program.
Required Qualifications
- PhD or equivalent degree (preferably in Chemistry or a related field)
- Appropriate academic credentials for a Regular Professor Series faculty appointment within the DGSOM at UCLA, with rank commensurate to academic credentials and accomplishments.
- Strong academic record of peer-reviewed publications
- Consistent track record of extramural funding
- Demonstrated success with clinical translation
- Expertise in radiochemical synthesis, radiopharmaceutical development, and associated analytical techniques
- Knowledge of cGMP-compliant PET radiopharmaceutical production and ALARA radiation safety procedures
- Evidence of multidisciplinary collaborations
- Proven leadership, organizational, and collaborative skills
- Documented program building capability
Confidential inquiries, nominations or submissions of interest (candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, informative personal statement and response to UCLA’s mission statement) are invited and will be considered until an appointment is made.
Christine Mona, PhD (committee chair)
c/o Executive Search Team
Email: [email protected]
Apply: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11137
The posted UC (University of California) salary scales Academic Personnel Programs Compensation Plan Table 5 set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 5 accordance with AB 168 and SB 1162, the initial/base salary range for this position is $200,000-350,000. This position includes membership in the health sciences compensation plan, which provides for eligibility for additional compensation. Academic Personnel Programs Health Sciences Compensation Plan
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
