PhD Organic Chemistry UAntwerp - Development of CAIX-targeting radioligands to improv

Organisation/Company

University of Antwerp Department Chemistry Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Pharmacological sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 31 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

We are looking for a skilled organic chemist with a strong interest in medicinal chemistry, motivated to contribute to the fight against cancer and interested in pursuing a PhD in a collaboration between the University of Antwerp (BEL), the research center SCK CEN (BEL), and the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (ARG). The experimental work will be performed at the University of Antwerp and at SCK CEN.

Theranostics is transforming precision oncology by integrating diagnosis and therapy in one molecular platform. While compounds such as [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DOTATATE and [¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 have proven the potential of targeted radionuclide therapy, novel ligand scaffolds are needed to expand its reach across cancer types. Hence, this PhD project focuses on developing innovative small molecules targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), a protein highly expressed in hypoxic tumors but largely absent from healthy tissues.

The candidate will design and synthesize a library of CAIX-binding ligands guided by molecular modeling, optimize their structures for selectivity and tumor retention, and conjugate the most promising candidates to chelators for radiolabeling with ¹⁷⁷Lu or ¹⁶¹Tb. This chemistry-driven project offers an exciting opportunity to apply advanced organic synthesis and molecular design to the development of next‑generation radiotheranostics.

We are looking for a skilled organic chemist with a strong interest in medicinal chemistry.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry

You need to have a master degree (or equivalent) in the field of Chemistry with experience in organic chemistry.

Interested candidates are invited to contact Prof. Dr. Robby Vroemans (promotor, UAntwerp) or Dr. Tomas Opsomer (mentor, SCK CEN). Next, applications should be submitted via the following link: ‑… ). After an initial selection, shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with the (co‑promotors) and (co‑mentors). One candidate will then be selected to proceed to a final panel interview at SCK CEN.