Lead Radiochemist

StandardX; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Health Cover

Life Assurance (4x salary)

Salary sacrifice pension (4% employer)

Cycle to Work Scheme

EMI Share Options

Job summary

StandardX, based in the UK, is seeking a Lead Radiochemist to drive the development, validation and scale-up of radiochemistry methods for isotope production. You will lead bench-to-manufacturing initiatives, acting as the company SME on radiochemistry while collaborating with engineers, scientists and business development.

The role requires an advanced degree in radiochemistry with hands-on lab leadership and a track record of fast, pragmatic execution in a dynamic, growing environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with substantial radiochemistry experience.
• Deep expertise in radiochemical design and translation.
• Experience leading complex technical programmes across development stages.
• Strong written and verbal communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Responsible Scientist owning radiochemistry projects from concept to validation and integration.
• Develop radiochemistry technologies aligned with business objectives and isotope production needs.
• Serve as SME in radiochemistry for internal and regulatory discussions.
• Advise teams on practical applications to optimise processes and workflows.
• Pursue strategic partnerships and ensure compliance with regulatory standards (e.g. cGMP, ICH, ONR).
• Move quickly and operate as a generalist across the radiochemistry function.

Skills

Radiochemistry

Leadership

Technical development

Communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Radiochemistry

Tools

cGMP knowledge

Tech transfer

Job description

About You

As Lead Radiochemist you will develop the separation and purification chemistry for the isotopes we produce, and you will take each method the whole way: bench concept, development, validation, scale-up.

We are after an experienced scientist who knows the chemical fundamentals and has optimised real processes rather than only designing them. Plenty of the early work happens at the bench, so you should want to be in the lab.

You will be the person the rest of the company comes to on radiochemistry, working closely with scientists, engineers, operations and business development as we widen the range of isotopes we handle.

About StandardX

There is infrastructure that defines eras. The steam engine made the industrial world possible. The internet created an economy. StandardX is building the next one.

Some of the most essential materials on Earth are also the rarest. Isotopes are the invisible backbone of modern life - curing cancer, keeping industrial systems resilient and fuelling the fusion reactors that will power the next century. Yet the infrastructure that produces them is ageing, fragmented and increasingly unable to keep up with demand.

We're a world-class team of nuclear engineers, deep tech operators and doctoral‑level scientists building the UK's first isotope refinery: a single proprietary platform, deployable anywhere, producing the full portfolio of critical isotopes at scale - turning chronic scarcity into abundance.

Exceptional team. Massive problem. If you want to work on something that matters, really matters, this is it.

Key Objectives

• Provide technical leadership for radiochemistry R&D projects, driving innovation across a multidisciplinary team.

• Evaluate, develop and integrate radiochemistry innovations into StandardX's product pipeline, ensuring scientific rigour and readiness for scalable manufacturing and tech transfer.

• Serve as the organisation's subject matter expert in radiochemistry, representing StandardX in high-level scientific and regulatory forums.

• Move quickly and pragmatically, avoiding analysis paralysis and unnecessary process gates.

Your Responsibilities

Technology Development & Pipeline Innovation

Act as the Responsible Scientist with ownership of radiochemistry projects from concept through development, validation and integration

Contribute to the development of radiochemistry technologies that align with business objectives and support StandardX's competitive advantage in isotope production, including:

• Radiochemical transformation processes

• Radioisotope purification and formulation methods

• Process scale-up and tech transfer protocols

• Analytical and quality control methods

Scientific & Technological Expertise

• Serve as a subject matter expert in radiochemistry, designing and implementing solutions to support research, development and manufacturing

• Advise internal teams on the practical application of radiochemistry innovations, optimising process outcomes and operational workflows

Partnerships, Compliance & Risk

• Pursue strategic partnerships with technology vendors, research institutions and industry partners to leverage external expertise

• Ensure radiochemistry development activities comply with relevant regulatory standards (e.g. cGMP, ICH, ONR), engaging proactively with regulatory bodies and external agencies

• Anticipate and mitigate scientific, technical and regulatory risks, escalating to the corporate risk register as appropriate

Speed & Pragmatism

• Move fast without waiting for formal readiness gates or excess process

• Operate as a generalist across the full radiochemistry function rather than staying narrowly specialised

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in Chemistry, Radiochemistry or a related field, with substantial experience in the discipline

• Deep expertise in one or more areas relevant to radiochemical design and translation

• Experience leading complex technical programmes across development stages

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels

• Comfortable working hands‑on and moving fast in a dynamic, fast‑growing environment

Ideal Experience

• Experience with innovation and technology development in a healthcare, life sciences or nuclear industry setting

• Experience engaging with regulatory bodies on investigational or licensing applications

• Track record of representing an organisation in international scientific forums

• Experience in isotope production, fusion energy or adjacent deep tech sectors

We know great candidates rarely match every point on a list like this.

Benefits

Private Health Cover, with the option to add dependants.

Life Assurance (Death in Service) at 4x salary.

Salary sacrifice pension, with 4% employer contribution.

Cycle to Work Scheme.

EMI Share Options.