Preclinical Senior Technical Officer

The department is looking to recruit a Preclinical Technical Officer in the field of small animal imaging, working mainly in the fields of nanoSPECT/CT and nanoPET/CT with opportunities to also work with PET/MR, MRI, optical imaging and focussed external beam irradiation therapy. The purpose of this role is to support, train and advise multidisciplinary scientists and students using and developing novel medical imaging methodology.

The incumbent will be expected to support the Pre-clinical Imaging Operations Manager to manage and maintain the preclinical imaging facilities (e.g. calibration, quality control, testing imaging scanners; trouble-shooting); ensure compliance of facilities and users with the relevant regulations and government bodies, with control over stocks, equipment and supplies.

Responsibilities include providing: teaching, advice and training on techniques/procedures, operation of the scanners and data and image analysis; facilitating the efficient and ethical operation of animal experiments involving imaging to achieve the aims of various research programmes. In addition, the post holder will be expected to extract maximum value and capability from the imaging facilities, by developing and implementing novel quantitative imaging protocols and flexible data analysis pipelines in response to the needs of colleagues.

Duties also include good communication, critical evaluation and problem-solving skills, use and monitoring of safe working practices to maintain and improve health & safety compliance. Included are completing risk assessments, SOPS, adjusting protocols and facilities to reduce levels of risk including negative environmental impacts. When required, reporting accidents/ incidents and participating in accident investigations.

Independent decisions will be expected, in a timely manner to solve problems which impact the facilities and contribute to collaborative decisions. This role requires the postholder to work independently based on an agreed work plan, setting own priorities and working cooperatively with stakeholders to achieve the service objectives.

The post holder will keep informed about developments in relevant technical/scientific fields and adopt and adapt new approaches/ methodologies to meet local needs.

The School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences is an interdisciplinary School dedicated to the development, clinical translation and clinical application of medical imaging technologies and devices. Staff and students comprise physicists, chemists, biologists, engineers, mathematicians and clinicians working together in a highly cross-disciplinary way.

The Department of Imaging Chemistry & Biology is one of eight within the School and its remit is to develop contrast agents and radiopharmaceuticals for both imaging and therapy and take them through the translational process from initial synthesis and characterisation, radio chemical synthesis, in vitro biology and preclinical in vivo biology and imaging, to the point of readiness for clinical evaluation.

• Contribution to the operational management of imaging facilities (e.g. bookings, finance, radionuclide deliveries/waste management, equipment servicing).
• Undertaking routine maintenance, calibration, quality control checks, inspections and running of equipment related to imaging of small animals.
• Designing, developing and executing experiments to test imaging equipment limitations and properties.
• Showing initiative in developing novel imaging and quantification methods in response to the needs of colleagues and under own initiative leading to collaboration and authorship in publications.
• Ensuring compliance with all Home Office…