Production Radiochemist

Alliance Medical; Carshalton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Medical is seeking a Production Radiochemist to join our Radiopharmacy team in the UK. The role involves daily production of PET radiopharmaceuticals such as 18F-FDG, ensuring strict GMP compliance and regulator standards.

You will handle routine synthesis, equipment maintenance, quality records, SOPs, and training of rota colleagues, with some night shifts on a rotational basis. A scientific degree and radiochemistry experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Degree level in a related scientific discipline.
• Experience in radiochemistry or related disciplines preferred.
• Knowledge of GMP, validation and regulations advantageous.
• Experience in a GMP grade cleanroom and related equipment is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Daily production of PET radiopharmaceuticals (incl. 18F-FDG) in GMP-compliant manner.
• Operate routine protocols for customer orders and distribution.
• Arrange maintenance and troubleshoot production equipment and hot cells.
• Maintain fault records and liaise with engineers; ensure safety and environmental controls.
• Prepare and review SOPs; provide training to rota/backup staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Teamwork

Scientific degree

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline

Radiochemistry-related qualification

Tools

GMP knowledge

Radiochemistry equipment operation

Quality systems

Job description

We have a new opportunity for a Production Radiochemist to join our Radiopharmacy team.

This is a full time position working 40 hours a week. Our site's operational hours Site open 24/6 with operational hours 00:00 to 20:00 so shift work is required.

You should be aScientific graduate with a scientific background, ideally with experience of (radio) pharmaceutical manufacture in a GMP environment.

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate

• excellent verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, a logical approach to problem solving and good attention to detail. As an effective team member, you will have great organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure.


• Be educated to a degree level in a related scientific discipline or able to demonstrate relevant experience.


• Ideally be able to demonstrate experience in Radiochemistry or related disciplines.


• Ideally be able to demonstrate knowledge of GMP, validation and relevant regulations.


• Validation experience (including laboratory equipment and process validation) would be advantageous.


• Previous experience of operating in a GMP grade C cleanroom, operation of a GMP grade A isolator and/or distribution of radiopharmaceuticals would be advantageous.

Production

Daily, routine production of PET radiopharmaceuticals, including 18F-FDG, for Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy in strict adherence to GMP and relevant EU pharmacopoeia standards.

Operate routine protocols for customer orders and distribution of 18FDG and other PET and tracers to scanning sites.

Maintenance

Arrange first-line scheduled and emergency maintenance for production equipment and associated plant, in collaboration with Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy engineers.

Ensure efficient performance of, and undertake first-line maintenance and any required troubleshooting of the FDG Synthesisers, Dispensing Equipment, Hot Cells, including dose calibration, monitoring and sterility checks within the context of strict application of environmental and ‘clean room’ protocols.

Faults

Maintain records of faults on any dysfunction – operational, equipment or environment integrity. Interpret and rectify operational faults where possible and liaising with engineers and suppliers as necessary.

Quality Systems

Operating to approved quality standards by recording Production quality related actions (e.g., deviations and change controls) in a timely manner, to comply with AMR policies and regulatory requirements.

Principal Operator/Timetable

On a rota basis, act as production radiochemist for radio-synthesis of PET tracers in accordance with a pre-determined daily timetable.

The role will include some night work on a rotational shift rota.

Chemical Preparation

Monitoring and maintaining lab stocks of chemicals, consumables, and spare parts as well as the safe disposal of waste chemicals and materials.

Standard Operating Procedures

Prepare and review SOPs in accordance with the relevant guidelines for approval by the QP and adoption by the unit.

Training Others

Provide training and support for others selected as rota/backup in production of Radiopharmaceuticals.

Safety and Control

Assume responsibility for the safe and efficient handling of all radioactive substances (solid, gas, liquid) received from the Centre’s cyclotron including their synthesis, transmission, dispensing, storage, containerisation, packing, despatch, transport, decay control, and release. In accordance with local rules for emergency or serious incident procedure record such events in accordance with SOPs.

Responsible for following agreed safety procedures to ensure safety of yourself and others.

Regulatory

Strictly adhere to GMP, GLP and safety protocols laid down by the MHRA, EA and HSE in accordance with issued licenses as determined from time to time. Corresponding adherence to local rules developed by Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy in conformity to such licensing requirement.

Alliance Medical are Europe’s leading independent provider of imaging services.

We combine service excellence and innovative imaging technologies to improve patient care and support NHS and independentorganisationswith their ongoing imaging requirements. Our approach has delivered consistent company growth for more than 30 years.

We live by our company values to ensure the highest level of patient care:

Our Values

Leaders, managers, and supervisors have a particular responsibility to be role models in terms of how they demonstrate these values themselves and how they engage their teams to work in this way.

Collaboration:

We work together and in partnership for all our patients. We respect expertise and combine it to achieve more.

Excellence:

We never compromise. We strive to deliver the very best in everything we do to ensure the highest quality of care. We treat our patients and each other with compassion, dignity and respect.

Learning:

Knowledge and understanding comes from learning. At Alliance Medical we are committed to ensuring that each and every one of us keeps on learning and that we continuously look for improved ways of working.

Efficiency:

Efficiency in healthcare means more patients get better care. We constantly seek new ways to use the scarce resource of healthcare more intelligently so that more people can live longer, fuller lives.

Openness:

We act with transparency and honesty in everything we do, where staff are encouraged to speak up to ensure a safe and secure environment for our patients.