Specialist - Radio Chemist

Alberta Health Services; Calgary; On-site; CAD 53,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Alberta Health Services seeks a Radiochemist to lead the Radiopharmacy program at Foothills Medical Centre. This role balances R&D and routine manufacturing, driving synthesis, QC development, and regulatory submissions for clinical translation.

The successful candidate will supervise GMP operations, validate analytical methods, and mentor staff in handling hazardous radiochemical workflows in a compliant environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Radiochemistry or related field with 3–5 years radiochemistry/radiopharmacy experience, or M.S. with 5–7 years experience.
• Hands-on with automated synthesis units, cleanroom/aseptic techniques, and QC instrumentation (HPLC, TLC, GC, gamma spectroscopy, LAL testing).
• Ability to troubleshoot instrument malfunctions and ensure regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and validation of synthesis, purification and QC methods for PET/SPECT radiopharmaceuticals.
• Oversee GMP manufacturing to meet clinical and commercial demand; operate synthesis units and validate equipment.
• Drive regulatory compliance under cGMP, Health Canada and CNSC; support licensing and submissions.
• Train and mentor Radiopharmacy staff on production workflows, safety, and QC procedures.

Skills

Radiochemistry

Quality control

Project management

Safety

Education

Ph.D. in Radiochemistry

M.S. or related discipline

Tools

Automated synthesis units

HPLC

TLC

Gas chromatography

Gamma spectroscopy

LAL endotoxin testing

Job description

Within the provincial Tracer HUB Team and serving in a multi-disciplinary leadership role, the Radiochemist oversees the end-to-end lifecycle of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to establish a self-sufficient Radiopharmacy program in collaboration with the University of Calgary. This position bridges clinical R&D and routine manufacturing by driving the research, translation, and validation of novel agents while ensuring strict, high-volume production compliance under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Health Canada, and CNSC regulatory frameworks.

Description:

Program & R&D Leadership:Spearhead the development of the Radiopharmacy program. Supervise the development, optimization, and validation of synthesis, purification and Quality Control methods for novel PET/SPECT radiopharmaceuticals.Manufacturing & Operations:Supervise and support GMP manufacturing to meet clinical and commercial demand. Operate automated synthesis units, lead equipment selection and validation, write SOPs, and serve as an operational cyclotron operator as needed for clinical translation work.Radiochemistry and Quality Control (QC) Expertise:Formulate doses and execute a broad range of isotope labeling chemistries, including F-18, Tc-99m, radioiodination, and radiometal chelation (e.g., Ga-68, Cu-64, Zr-89). Develop and validate analytical methods to evaluate release criteria and ensure every batch meets safety, purity, and regulatory standards.Regulatory & Quality Compliance:Direct compliance under cGMP, Health Canada, and CNSC guidelines. Drive licensing processes for CNSC construction and validation, Health Canada Drug Establishment Licenses (DEL), New Drug Submissions (NDS), and Clinical Trial Applications (CTA).Team Training & Mentorship:Train and mentor Radiopharmacy Specialists and Technologists on production workflows, equipment operation, safety protocols, and QC procedures.

• Classification: Specialist
• Union: Exempt
• Unit and Program: TracerHUB/Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre
• Primary Location: Foothills Medical Centre
• Employee Class: Regular Full Time
• FTE: 1.00
• Posting End Date: 20-NOV-2026
• Date Available: 11-JAN-2027
• Length of Shift in weeks: 1
• Shifts per cycle: 5
• Shift Pattern: Days, On Call
• Days Off: Saturday/Sunday
• Minimum Salary: $38.73
• Maximum Salary: $66.42
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

• Classification: Specialist
• Union: Exempt
• Unit and Program: TracerHUB/Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre
• Primary Location: Foothills Medical Centre
• Location Details: As Per Location
• Employee Class: Regular Full Time
• FTE: 1.00
• Posting End Date: 20-NOV-2026
• Date Available: 11-JAN-2027
• Hours per Shift: 7.75
• Length of Shift in weeks: 1
• Shifts per cycle: 5
• Shift Pattern: Days, On Call
• Days Off: Saturday/Sunday
• Minimum Salary: $38.73
• Maximum Salary: $66.42
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience: Ph.D. in Radiochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline with 3–5 years of laboratory (radiochemistry or radopharmacy) experience, or an M.S. with 5–7 years of relevant experience.

Additional Required Qualifications:

Technical Proficiency: Extensive hands-on experience with automated synthesis units, cleanroom/aseptic techniques, and analytical QC instrumentation (HPLC, TLC, gas chromatography, gamma spectroscopy, and LAL endotoxin testing). Proven ability to troubleshoot instrument malfunctions

Preferred Qualifications:

Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of cGMP requirements, Health Canada/CNSC regulatory frameworks, and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) documentation.Core Competencies: Priority will be given to candidates with direct experience producing radiopharmaceuticals for human use. Strong safety record in hazardous/radioactive environments, excellent project management skills, adaptability, and clear communication abilities.Prior supervisory experience is preferred.

Please note:

All postings close at 23:59 MT of the postingend date indicated.

Security Screening:

A satisfactory criminal record check and/or Vulnerable Sector Search is required prior to your first day of work. Additionally, all employees have an ongoing duty to disclose any charges or convictions that may occur during their employment with AHS.

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Communities. Together.

We’re passionate about what we do. Our team of skilled and dedicated health care professionals, support staff, and physicians promote wellness and provide health care all across Alberta.

Everything we do at AHS reflects a patient and family centred approach; it’s about putting patients’ and families’ experiences, priorities and trust first.

We are an equal opportunity employer. AHS values the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is committed to attracting, engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.

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