Research Analyst - Brain Health Imaging Centre

Job Description

The Brain Health Imaging Centre (BHIC) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is a leading research centre focused on advanced brain imaging methods for mental health and neuroscience research. The Zheng Research Group at BHIC develops and applies innovative PET radiotracers for translational neuroimaging, spanning radiochemistry, preclinical imaging, and related laboratory studies.

Reporting to Principal Investigator (PI) and working in coordination with BHIC radiochemistry personnel and laboratory trainees, the full-time, contract (12 months) will play a central technical role in radiotracer preparation, training, and broader preclinical research support within the lab. The primary focus of the position is carbon-11 and fluorine-18 radiochemistry and radio synthesis of PET tracers and probes. At the same time, the role is expected to contribute to the lab’s related preclinical research activities, including experimental coordination, support for imaging studies, and assistance with other ongoing projects as needed.

Depending on project needs and experience, the successful candidate may also contribute to manuscript, abstract, poster, and presentation preparation arising from lab projects.

• Perform radio synthesis,radio chemical production, and analytical evaluation of carbon-11 and fluorine-18 PET radiotracers, including cyclotron operation, tracer preparation for research studies, reaction setup, purification, formulation, quality control, radiotracer characterization and documentation of production records.
• Support development, optimization, troubleshooting, and scale-up of radiolabeling methods for new or existing radiotracers used in the lab research program.
• Operate, maintain, and help coordinate radiochemistry equipment and infrastructure, including automated synthesis modules, HPLC systems, analytical instruments, dose calibrators, and related laboratory equipment.
• Help train graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other trainees in radiochemistry and radio synthesis procedures and analytical evaluation, instrument use, radiation safety practices, record keeping, and good laboratory procedures.
• Contribute, as appropriate, to the organization of experimental data and to preparation of methods summaries, figures, abstracts, posters, presentations, and manuscripts arising from laboratory projects; conference participation may be supported where relevant to the role, project needs, and available funding.
• Coordinate radiochemistry-related experiments with students, collaborators, BHIC staff, and other ongoing projects to ensure efficient scheduling, communication, and execution of laboratory work.
• Assist with preparation and organization of precursors, reference standards, reagents, consumables, and experimental materials required for routine radio synthesis and method development.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, SOPs, inventories, radiation-use documentation, and other laboratory records in accordance with institutional requirements and good laboratory practice.
• Contribute to general laboratory operations related to radiochemistry and associated preclinical research activities, including reagent ordering, workflow organization, equipment upkeep, and support for a safe, compliant, and collaborative research environment.
• Provide meaningful support, where needed, for related preclinical research activities such as tracer studies, animal experiment coordination, sample handling, imaging-study preparation, or coordination of imaging experiments.

• A Bachelor’s in chemistry, radiochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical biology, or a related field is required; more advanced training and directly relevant experience are strong assets.
• At least 1 year of directly relevant hands‑on experience in radiochemistry, radio synthesis, PET radiotracer preparation, or closely related synthetic/analytical laboratory work is strongly preferred; an equivalent combination of advanced training and experience may also be considered.
• Experience with HPLC, purification methods, analytical characterization, and safe handling of radioactive materials is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to follow and optimize technical protocols, troubleshoot experiments, and maintain careful experimental documentation is essential.
• Experience training or supervising students or junior trainees in laboratory techniques is a strong asset, as this role will help support trainee development in…