The KU Leuven Institute for Nuclear and Radiation Physics (IKS) specialises in the production and use of radioactive ion beams for the study of nuclear structure and nuclear reactions, as well as the use of radioisotopes and radiation as probes for the study of fundamental symmetries at the low-energy particle level. Within IKS, the Interdisciplinary Research Group performs research on the production of novel medical radioisotopes with the isotope separation online (ISOL) technique. Research is performed at the CERN ISOLDE and MEDICIS facilities, as well as at the Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK CEN located in Mol.
The research outputs are part of larger collaborations including radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, and research hospital partners locally (UZ Leuven, UZ Brussel, UZ Ghent) and at the European and international levels (PRISMAP). The Interdisciplinary Research Group also features a fundamental research programme into the shape of radioisotopes by means of resonance ionisation laser spectroscopy (RILIS, CRIS), as well as with muonic x-ray spectroscopy at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Villigen, CH).
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the science and knowledge service of the European Commission. Its mission is to support EU policies with independent evidence in the areas of nuclear safety and security throughout the policy cycle. The JRC is located in 5 Member States (Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). The successful candidate will be attached to the Nuclear Science & Applications Unit in Karlsruhe (Germany), where the operational scientific research will take place. The unit’s mission is to build and retain expertise, promote the integration of basic nuclear research at the European level, support the beneficial use of radioisotopes for non-power applications and build the scientific reputation of the JRC as a trustworthy body for policy advice.
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Project
Within this project, you will investigate methods for securing the supply of radionuclides for the development of novel, more effective methods for treating widespread diseases. Those radionuclides are necessary components for the development of radiopharmaceuticals, their widespread clinical application, and equal patient access throughout the European Union. In particular, alpha-emitting radionuclides have been gaining interest in the recent years thanks to the potency of their therapeutic action. However, the supply of these radionuclides remains a bottleneck for today's research and tomorrow's clinical application. These positions are meant to develop new opportunities for the reliable supply of alpha-emitting therapeutic radionuclides relevant for medical applications.
In practice the two positions will cover the following activities:
- Development of a 223Ra/227Th Generator System via 227Ac Separation from 231Pa
This project aims to develop innovative chemical systems for the production of 223Ra and 227Th. The purification of radiochemically pure 227Ac from 231Pa is a crucial step, as 231Pa exhibits notoriously difficult chemical behavior and is a poorly investigated element due to its limited supply. Leveraging JRC Karlsruhe's possession of large quantities of old 231Pa, this project will develop and set up an optimised, dose-shielded separation system to purify 231Pa and recover 227Ac.
- Thorium Carbide Target Production for Radionuclide Synthesis
ThC2 and UC2 are materials regularly used for the production of radionuclides at the CERN MEDICIS facility, supplying 225Ra/Ac generators for medical research. The objective of this proposal is to optimize the synthesis of ThC2 and UC2, expand the production of monoliths to ThC2, and explore alternative routes to these materials.
More details on either project is available on request.
Profile
Successful candidates should hold a Master's degree in Physics, Engineering or Chemistry at the time of start of their PhD study, with an established knowledge of nuclear science, e.g. nuclear physics, nuclear engineering or radiochemistry.
A keen interest in the medical applications of radioisotopes and in experimental physics, and an independent and diligent work ethic are relevant aspects.
This PhD project is part of the European Commission-funded Collaborative Doctoral Program between KU Leuven and the Joint Research Centre in Karlsruhe. The candidate will thus share their time between both institutions and should thus show willingness to be mobile and open to different working environments and research techniques.
Offer
We offer 2 fully-funded, 4-year PhD scholarships, to be spent between KU Leuven and the Joint Research Centre in Karlsruhe.
The successful candidates will spend the first 9 months of her/his project at KU Leuven followed by up to 24 months at the JRC, and the rest at KU Leuven.
They will be fully integrated in both experimental groups to benefit from the strengths and knowledge from both institutions, with the added value from working for a European organisation.
Candidates will be part of the Arenberg Doctoral School, which monitors and supports the progress of PhD candidates, and be given opportunities to study at international summer schools and present their work at topical workshops and international conferences.
KU Leuven and the JRC are part of many international collaborations such as PRISMAP, which also provide additional opportunities for networking and exchange.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Thomas Elias Cocolios, tel.: +32 16 32 31 16, mail: [email protected], and Dr Olaf Walter, mail: [email protected].
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