Director of Biochemistry Research

About the role

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA invites applications and nominations for an internationally recognized leader and scholar to join the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics as the inaugural Director of Radiochemistry Research. This position would be a tenured faculty appointment in the Regular Professor Series at UCLA, with rank commensurate with academic credentials and accomplishments.

Responsibilities

• Expand and strengthen UCLA’s rapidly growing theranostics program through innovation, collaboration, and successful clinical translation.
• Provide scientific leadership to create a world class academic radiochemistry program.
• Serve in an operational capacity for UCLA’s cyclotron and PET radiochemistry facilities, providing guidance for the production of clinical and preclinical imaging biomarkers and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals in compliance with institutional procedures, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), FDA regulations, United States Pharmacopeia standards, and ALARA radiation safety principles.
• Contribute to the educational mission of the Department by teaching and mentoring residents, fellows, faculty, research associates, and students in radiopharmaceutical production, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and translational radiochemistry.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent degree (preferably in Chemistry or a related field).
• Strong academic record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Consistent track record of extramural funding.
• Demonstrated success with clinical translation.
• Expertise in radiochemical synthesis, radiopharmaceutical development, and associated analytical techniques.
• Knowledge of cGMP-compliant PET radiopharmaceutical production and ALARA radiation safety procedures.
• Demonstrated success with multidisciplinary collaborations.
• Proven leadership, organizational, and collaborative skills.
• Documented program building capability.

Qualifications

• Highly accomplished scholar and innovative scientist.
• Outstanding publication record in leading journals.
• Prominent track record of extramural funding.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Vision for building and advancing a world-class radiochemistry and theranostics program.

Skills

• Radiochemical synthesis.
• Radiopharmaceutical development.
• Associated analytical techniques.

Benefits

The University of California offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Pay

The posted UC salary scales Academic Personnel Programs Compensation Plan Table 5 set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. The initial/base salary range for this position is $200,000-350,000. This position includes membership in the health sciences compensation plan, which provides for eligibility for additional compensation.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is full-time.