PhD position Shaping and surface modification of stationary phases radionuclide separation

Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is a promising cancer treatment that relies on alpha-radiation-emitting radioisotope, such as 213

Bi, to target cancer cells directly. By delivering radiation directly to the tumor cells, TAT minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Despite its potential, the clinical implementation of TAT is limited by the difficulties in the separation of the radioactive element from the parent isotope. Effective stationary phases must provide high separation performance, while withstanding the harsh conditions of the separation, including exposure to (very) low pH and a high radiation dosage. While various materials like polymeric resins and functionalised ceramics have been explored, many suffer from poor acid stability and are prone to hydrolysis and/or radiolysis.

Furthermore, most of research focuses on the sorption characteristics of the material as a powder, hindering a realistic assessment of their dynamic performance.

This PhD project aims to develop advanced shaping and surface modification strategies to create a 3-dimensional porous structure with specific surface functional groups. These materials are designed to ensure fast and uniform separation of the radionuclides. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will integrate expertise in radiochemistry, material design and surface functionalisation to develop and test these stationary phases under realistic conditions.

The research will be conducted primarily at VITO in close collaboration with an academic partner and a company.

• Master in (in) organic chemistry or materials science
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills
• Creative, critical and hands-on mentality
• Good oral and written communication skills in English