EG204949 - Healthcare Science Radio Chemist PET Production

NHS National Services Scotland; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare service provider in Scotland is seeking a Healthcare Scientist Specialist – Radio Chemist to lead the production and quality control of PET radiopharmaceuticals. This role involves managing staff and ensuring compliance in a dynamic healthcare setting. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant degree and possess strong skills in synthetic chemistry and quality control. This position offers a unique opportunity to innovate and grow in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in synthetic chemistry and SOP development.
• Familiarity with GMP environments and radiochemistry labs is desirable.
• Ability to work as a classified person under ionising radiation regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production and quality control of PET radiopharmaceuticals.
• Provide expert advice to ensure scientific and clinical rigour.
• Manage production staff and budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance.

Skills

Synthetic chemistry

Quality control

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Chemistry or related discipline

Tools

HPLC

GC

Spectroscopy

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Healthcare Scientist Specialist – Radio Chemist (PET Production)

Band 8a | Permanent | 36 hours/week
Location: John Mallard PET Centre, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

Are you ready to for a cutting-edge radiochemistry services in a dynamic healthcare setting? NHS Grampian is seeking a skilled and motivated Healthcare Scientist Specialist – Radio Chemist to join our team at the John Mallard PET Centre. This is a unique opportunity to take on a strategic and operational role in the production of PET radiopharmaceuticals.

About the Role

This specialist post involves a wide range of clinical and scientific responsibilities, including:

• Leading the production and quality control of PET radiopharmaceuticals (e.g., F-18, C-11, Ga-68) in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Providing expert advice to ensure scientific and clinical rigour in ligand production.
• Managing production staff, budgets, and regulatory compliance.
• Overseeing teaching and training commitments within the radiochemistry section.

Key Responsibilities

• Radiopharmaceutical Production: Supervise routine GMP-compliant synthesis of tracers such as 18F-FDG.
• Quality Control: Conduct and oversee QC analyses using HPLC, GC, and spectroscopy.
• Method Development: Innovate and validate new synthesis and QC procedures.
• Documentation & Compliance: Author and review SOPs and ensure regulatory adherence.
• Team Collaboration: Work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality services.

Qualifications & Experience

• A good honours degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s) in Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacy, or a related discipline.
• Experience in synthetic chemistry and SOP development.
• Familiarity with GMP environments and radiochemistry labs is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Ability to work as a classified person under ionising radiation regulations.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a nationally recognised PET centre, with scope for innovation, leadership, and professional development in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Informal enquiries are warmly welcomed.
Contact: Dr Lutz Schweiger, Production Lead [e-mail]

Additional Information for Candidates

As a disability confident employer we are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible to all. If you need us to make any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting our recruitment team at the earliest opportunity. Email us at [e-mail].

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend the interview in person. Alternative arrangements or adjustments will be considered in the event there are circumstances that may prevent candidates attending in person to ensure it is inclusive and accessible to all.

You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain. DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for short listing purposes. Posts close at midnight on the indicated date unless the advert states otherwise. Post may close early due to volume of applications. For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/. To view our accessibility statement, please follow this link: https://www.eess.nhs.scot/jobtrain-accessibility-statement/. Please note that our correspondence method is by e‑mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately.

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Please note - If this post operates within Aberdeen City Low Emission Zone, you will be responsible for all costs associated with entering.

About NHS Grampian

NHS Grampian forms one of the fourteen regional health boards of NHS Scotland and is responsible for providing health and social care services to a population of over 500,000 people living in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.

As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and Social Care values.