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.
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.
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.
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).