Cyclotron Manager

Kings College London

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

This post provides an exciting opportunity for an experienced cyclotron engineer to take on a senior role within our PET Centre and the Research Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology (ICAB).

The post holder will be responsible for managing both the GE880 GE PETtrace and RDS112cyclotrons and associated equipment to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of the PERL and CARL radiochemistry laboratories and the wider PET and ICAB user groups. They will work closely with the Chemistry Operations Manager and will be a key point of contact and expertise for industry partners involved in radionuclide production. They will provide highly specialist mechanical and electrical engineering support for the cyclotrons and associated equipment in PERL and CARL. They will oversee the maintenance and development of all cyclotron-related activities and performance (e.g. radionuclide yields, targetry, ancillary equipment and infrastructure) to support routine radionuclide production in parallel with a range of research activities. They will also oversee maintenance and support of other specialist equipment within the facility (e.g. hot cells, automated platforms, dispensers, other equipment associated with the production of radiopharmaceuticals), including supporting validation of equipment according to GMP guidelines.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for planning preventative and corrective maintenance programmes, as well as ordering spare parts and dealing with faults and breakdowns. They will lead staff training in cyclotron operation and the reliable delivery of radionuclide production. They will also play a lead role in the investigation and communication of operational updates and issues to appropriate staff members including Kings College London Engineers, and Estates and Facilities staff.The post holder will work closely with the operations, technical, research and administrative PET laboratory managers to optimise the day-to-day activities of the role and will have a key role in ensuring safety of all staff within the facilities.

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered anindefinitecontract

About us

The Kings College London and Guys & St Thomas PET Centre is part of both King's College London's (KCLs) Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT). It is responsible for providing services to >8,000 patients and research participants per year from across South-East London and the wider UK. The PET Centres scanning suites are critically dependent on radionuclides generated by a GE880 GE PETtrace cyclotron to supply the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Positron Emitting Radiopharmaceutical Laboratory (PERL) facility to produce a range of radiopharmaceuticals for human use. In parallel, the Research Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology (ICAB), part of the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, relies on both the GE PETtrace and a Siemens RDS112 cyclotron to provide radionuclides to its Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Laboratory (CARL) that produces a range of novel radiopharmaceuticals underpinning research programmes.

Date posted

26 September 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£51,974 to £61,021 a year includes London Weighting allowance (KCL Grade 7)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

N0067-24-0015

Job locations

St. Thomas's Hospital

249 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

  • Operate GE880 GE PETtrace and RDS112 cyclotrons in compliance with applicable regulatory governance e.g. MHRA, Health and Safety, Environmental Safety, Radiation Protection Regulations, and actively monitor and document compliance with these
  • Support the continuing validation, optimal use, and day-to-day smooth running of the cyclotrons, including developing and implementing efficient production schedules in conjunction with key stakeholders in PERL, CARL, PET and ICAB
  • Manage radionuclide production and staff training to schedules agreed with Management and within financial and human resource constraints
  • Be accountable for reliable and safe production of radionuclides from cyclotrons in line with priorities agreed with PERL, CARL, PET and ICAB
  • Provide expert mechanical and electrical engineering support for both the GE880 GE PETtrace and RDS112 cyclotrons and associated equipment in PERL and CARL.
  • Responsible for the maintenance and development of cyclotron-related activities and performance to support routine and research related activities including, but not limited to: radionuclidic yields, targetry (including solid targets and associated equipment), ancillary equipment and infrastructure.
  • Responsible for day-to-day support, including preventative and corrective maintenance, ordering spare parts, staff training in cyclotron operation (including research staff and trainees) to enable smooth running of the cyclotron and associated equipment for production of radionuclides in a GMP facility.
  • Responsible for investigation and effective communication of operational issues relating to the cyclotrons, PERL equipment and the PERL facility itself (e.g. HVAC, chillers etc.) with appropriate staff member both within KCL and externally (e.g. with KCL engineers, contractors, suppliers etc.).
  • Responsible for overseeing the maintenance and day to day support of equipment within PERL, including hot cells, automated synthesis equipment, dispensers and other equipment associated with the production of radiopharmaceuticals within the facility; this includes supporting validation, qualification and requalification of PERL equipment, liaising with external suppliers, investigating operations issues and communicating effectively with the PERL team and to other staff members.
  • Provide support to research staff relating to use of the cyclotrons and associated equipment and actively participate in research activities relating the use of cyclotron produced radionuclides as required.
  • Take an active role in the calibration of radiation detectors, working closely with the Medical Physics team.
  • Comply with local rules for working in a controlled area - includes being a classified radiation worker.
  • Scheduling their own priorities to ensure that tasks relating to the smooth running of the cyclotron and the facility are carried out as required in a timely manner.
  • Comply with GMP guidelines within PERL, including writing/updating SOPs, logs, records, deviation reports, change controls, CAPAs and other associated GMP documentation.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

  • Operate GE880 GE PETtrace and RDS112 cyclotrons in compliance with applicable regulatory governance e.g. MHRA, Health and Safety, Environmental Safety, Radiation Protection Regulations, and actively monitor and document compliance with these
  • Support the continuing validation, optimal use, and day-to-day smooth running of the cyclotrons, including developing and implementing efficient production schedules in conjunction with key stakeholders in PERL, CARL, PET and ICAB
  • Manage radionuclide production and staff training to schedules agreed with Management and within financial and human resource constraints
  • Be accountable for reliable and safe production of radionuclides from cyclotrons in line with priorities agreed with PERL, CARL, PET and ICAB
  • Provide expert mechanical and electrical engineering support for both the GE880 GE PETtrace and RDS112 cyclotrons and associated equipment in PERL and CARL.
  • Responsible for the maintenance and development of cyclotron-related activities and performance to support routine and research related activities including, but not limited to: radionuclidic yields, targetry (including solid targets and associated equipment), ancillary equipment and infrastructure.
  • Responsible for day-to-day support, including preventative and corrective maintenance, ordering spare parts, staff training in cyclotron operation (including research staff and trainees) to enable smooth running of the cyclotron and associated equipment for production of radionuclides in a GMP facility.
  • Responsible for investigation and effective communication of operational issues relating to the cyclotrons, PERL equipment and the PERL facility itself (e.g. HVAC, chillers etc.) with appropriate staff member both within KCL and externally (e.g. with KCL engineers, contractors, suppliers etc.).
  • Responsible for overseeing the maintenance and day to day support of equipment within PERL, including hot cells, automated synthesis equipment, dispensers and other equipment associated with the production of radiopharmaceuticals within the facility; this includes supporting validation, qualification and requalification of PERL equipment, liaising with external suppliers, investigating operations issues and communicating effectively with the PERL team and to other staff members.
  • Provide support to research staff relating to use of the cyclotrons and associated equipment and actively participate in research activities relating the use of cyclotron produced radionuclides as required.
  • Take an active role in the calibration of radiation detectors, working closely with the Medical Physics team.
  • Comply with local rules for working in a controlled area - includes being a classified radiation worker.
  • Scheduling their own priorities to ensure that tasks relating to the smooth running of the cyclotron and the facility are carried out as required in a timely manner.
  • Comply with GMP guidelines within PERL, including writing/updating SOPs, logs, records, deviation reports, change controls, CAPAs and other associated GMP documentation.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of PET radionuclide production
  • Knowledge and experience of maintenance and operation of cyclotrons
  • Knowledge and experience of targetry
  • Knowledge and experience of working with automated systems such as synthesis platforms and dispensers
  • Knowledge and Experience of working in an EU GMP environment

Desirable

  • Experience with radiopharmaceutical production to EU GMP standards
  • Experience with a range of radionuclides and delivery systems

Qualifications

Essential

  • Either a Degree in engineering, physics or another allied subject OR Broad vocational experience, acquired through a combination of job-related vocational training and considerable on the job experience, demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively more demanding relevant work/roles.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills (written and spoken - including report writing, research presentation, team interaction etc.)
  • Knowledge of up to date Ionising Radiation Regulations and Radiation Protection

Desirable

  • Ability to organise own time and in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Flexible approach to hours and duties including early morning start when required
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of PET radionuclide production
  • Knowledge and experience of maintenance and operation of cyclotrons
  • Knowledge and experience of targetry
  • Knowledge and experience of working with automated systems such as synthesis platforms and dispensers
  • Knowledge and Experience of working in an EU GMP environment

Desirable

  • Experience with radiopharmaceutical production to EU GMP standards
  • Experience with a range of radionuclides and delivery systems

Qualifications

Essential

  • Either a Degree in engineering, physics or another allied subject OR Broad vocational experience, acquired through a combination of job-related vocational training and considerable on the job experience, demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively more demanding relevant work/roles.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills (written and spoken - including report writing, research presentation, team interaction etc.)
  • Knowledge of up to date Ionising Radiation Regulations and Radiation Protection

Desirable

  • Ability to organise own time and in a multi-disciplinary team
  • Flexible approach to hours and duties including early morning start when required

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Kings College London

Address

St. Thomas's Hospital

249 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH


Employer's website

https://www.kcl.ac.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Kings College London

Address

St. Thomas's Hospital

249 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH


Employer's website

https://www.kcl.ac.uk (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Margaret Cooper

margaret.cooper@kcl.ac.uk

Date posted

26 September 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£51,974 to £61,021 a year includes London Weighting allowance (KCL Grade 7)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

N0067-24-0015

Job locations

St. Thomas's Hospital

249 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH


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