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Institute Research Investigator, Radiotherapeutics Chemistry
UT MD Anderson is home to the Therapeutics Discovery Division, a dynamic engine advancing the future of cancer therapies. This division removes traditional bottlenecks in drug discovery through a multidisciplinary approach that brings together researchers, clinicians, drug developers, and scientific experts to rapidly move novel therapeutics from concept to clinical use. Within this collaborative ecosystem, the Institute Research Investigator in Radiotherapeutics Chemistry plays a critical role in translating innovative scientific discoveries into life-saving treatments.
UT MD Anderson is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Institute Research Investigator in Radiotherapeutics Chemistry contributes directly to the RADIATE platform, an industrialized translational research unit dedicated to radiopharmaceutical drug discovery and development. Through integrated platforms, advanced data science, and patient-centered research, the Institute Research Investigator in Radiotherapeutics Chemistry helps accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge therapeutics to patients.
The ideal candidate will possess strong educational preparation in chemistry or a related scientific field, with demonstrated experience in medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry, or drug discovery research. Experience collaborating in interdisciplinary scientific environments and familiarity with radiopharmaceutical development, computational modeling, and laboratory safety practices are highly valued.
Why Us?
This role offers the opportunity to be part of a pioneering research environment at UT MD Anderson, where science is rapidly translated into meaningful patient outcomes. Working within a highly collaborative and innovation-driven platform, team members gain exposure to advanced technologies, impactful research initiatives, and career growth opportunities, all while contributing to a mission that prioritizes patient care and scientific excellence.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
This role offers the opportunity to be part of a pioneering research environment at UT MD Anderson, where science is rapidly translated into meaningful patient outcomes. Working within a highly collaborative and innovation-driven platform, team members gain exposure to advanced technologies, impactful research initiatives, and career growth opportunities, all while contributing to a mission that prioritizes patient care and scientific excellence.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Research & Scientific Collaboration
• Apply multidisciplinary tools and methodologies to advance RADIATE projects through leadership and experimentation
• Integrate with cross-functional teams to present findings, interpret data, and make data-driven program decisions
• Collaborate with computational chemists to develop predictive radiopharmaceutical models
• Work with medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry, and pharmacology teams to validate targets and develop therapeutics
• Collaborate on biology efforts to pair synthesized lead molecules and advance clinical development
• Apply multidisciplinary tools and methodologies to advance RADIATE projects through leadership and experimentation
• Integrate with cross-functional teams to present findings, interpret data, and make data-driven program decisions
• Collaborate with computational chemists to develop predictive radiopharmaceutical models
• Work with medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry, and pharmacology teams to validate targets and develop therapeutics
• Collaborate on biology efforts to pair synthesized lead molecules and advance clinical development
Radiochemistry & Drug Development
• Execute chemical and radiochemical production of radionuclide therapeutic candidates
• Develop innovative radiopharmaceutical precursors using organic and medicinal chemistry techniques
• Design new radiopharmaceutical procedures and automated methods
• Expand knowledge of cGMP radiochemistry, synthesis modules, and quality control processes
• Advance new radio-chemistries leveraging asymmetric catalysis expertise
• Execute chemical and radiochemical production of radionuclide therapeutic candidates
• Develop innovative radiopharmaceutical precursors using organic and medicinal chemistry techniques
• Design new radiopharmaceutical procedures and automated methods
• Expand knowledge of cGMP radiochemistry, synthesis modules, and quality control processes
• Advance new radio-chemistries leveraging asymmetric catalysis expertise
Data Analysis & Experimental Design
• Design, execute, and interpret chemical and radiochemical experiments
• Partner with translational biologists on in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo studies
• Analyze chemical and analytical data to inform future study design
• Integrate data to identify and refine new therapeutic strategies
• Adapt to emerging technologies and solve complex program challenges
• Design, execute, and interpret chemical and radiochemical experiments
• Partner with translational biologists on in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo studies
• Analyze chemical and analytical data to inform future study design
• Integrate data to identify and refine new therapeutic strategies
• Adapt to emerging technologies and solve complex program challenges
Program & Regulatory Coordination
• Draft and maintain regulatory protocols for animal studies
• Coordinate logistics for animal studies with internal teams
• Develop toxicity studies for IND-enabling objectives
• Support program prioritization, adjudication, and development processes
• Draft and maintain regulatory protocols for animal studies
• Coordinate logistics for animal studies with internal teams
• Develop toxicity studies for IND-enabling objectives
• Support program prioritization, adjudication, and development processes
Compliance & Communication
• Maintain high laboratory standards for quality and safety
• Employ safe laboratory practices consistently
• Maintain accurate research records and laboratory notes
• Interpret and present research findings internally and at scientific conferences
• Perform additional duties as assigned
• Maintain high laboratory standards for quality and safety
• Employ safe laboratory practices consistently
• Maintain accurate research records and laboratory notes
• Interpret and present research findings internally and at scientific conferences
• Perform additional duties as assigned
EDUCATION:
- Required: Bachelor's Degree Biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, enzymology, pharmacology, chemistry or related field.
Preferred: PhD in one of the natural sciences or related field or Medical degree.
EXPERIENCE:
- Required: Six years relevant research experience in a laboratory. Four years experience with Master's degree. No experience required with a PhD in a natural science.
- Preferred: Evidence of utilization of cancer genetics to inform on target discovery, validation or on clinical development of drug candidates.
Experience with genetic (i.e. RNAi and cDNAs) and pharmacological (i.e. small molecule inhibitors or antibodies) approaches to study target biology utilizing state of the art molecular biology and biochemistry methods and assays essential to drive projects.
Experience working with chemists, in vitro and in vivo pharmacologists to develop and utilize assays in support of the development of small molecules for target validation and as part of compound lead optimization for the development of novel therapeutics is highly desirable.
A demonstrated track record in the development and implementation of functional genomics strategies to enable systematic investigation into mechanisms of tumorigenesis and drug resistance.
Broad knowledge of cell culture techniques is required and knowledge of how to utilize in vivo oncology models is desirable. Hands-on experience working in the theranostics field is preferred.
Extensive knowledge and experience in key areas of tumor biology including, but not limited to oncogenic signaling, tumor microenvironment, tumor immunology, metabolism, epigenetic deregulation, or anti-apoptosis as evidenced by publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Strong data analysis skills, ability to interpret results and contribute to the design of follow-up experiments, troubleshoot issues with assay performance, and effectively present results and conclusions to co-workers, collaborators and senior leadership.
Ability to work well under pressure and drive project tasks that impact critical timelines is essential.
Flexibility to accommodate to rapidly changing priorities and deadlines is required
Collaborative attitude and ability to work in a team-based environment is crucial for this position
Excellent oral and written communication skills
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
