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PhD position on Development of PET Ligands Targeting Transmembrane Proteins

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong background in organic chemistry to join our multidisciplinary research program dedicated to the development of novel PET ligands for imaging voltage-gated ion channels. The successful candidate will develop their PhD project under the supervision of Dr Ermal Ismalaj at the Molecular and Functional Imaging Unit at CICbiomaGUNE

Job Description

The successful candidate is expected to design, synthesise, and characterise small-molecule ligands, as well as develop radiolabeling routes with short-lived radioisotopes, including carbon-11 and/or fluorine-18, for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Beyond applying established methods, the candidate is expected to develop novel synthetic routes, explore new reactivity concepts, and implement innovative strategies in ligand design.

Our research program covers:

The development of imaging agents for fluorescence and PET
Novel methodologies in organofluorine chemistry
Greener and more sustainable synthetic routes for radiopharmaceutical development

The specific focus of this PhD project is the development of high-affinity small molecules for targeting voltage-gated ion channels. Building on our previous work on fluorescent ligands for L-type calcium channels, our current focus is on the development of PET ligands for in vivo imaging of L-type calcium channel isoforms. The novel ligands will be evaluated in-house in tissue, cell and in vivo models to assess selectivity, binding properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics.

Benefits

Comment/web site for additional job details

https://www.cicbiomagune.es/job-offer-detail?id=43030