As one of the nation’s leading pediatric health care systems, Nemours is committed to providing all children with their best chance to grow up healthy. We offer integrated, family-centered care to more than 300,000 children each year in our pediatric hospitals, specialty clinics and primary care practices in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nemours strives to ensure a healthier tomorrow for all children – even those who may never enter our doors – through our world-changing research, education and advocacy efforts. At Nemours, our Associates help us deliver on the promise we make to every family we have the privilege of serving: to treat their child as if they were our own. 

As one of the nation’s leading pediatric healthcare systems, Nemours is committed to providing all children with their best chance to grow up healthy. We offer integrated, family-centered care to more than 280,000 children each year in our pediatric hospitals, specialty clinics and primary care practices in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nemours strives to ensure a healthier tomorrow for all children – even those who may never enter our doors – through our world-changing research, education and advocacy efforts. At Nemours, our Associates help us deliver on the promise we make to every family we have the privilege of serving: to treat their child as if they were our own.

As the birthplace of the Nemours healthcare system, the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del. honors our legacy of delivering exceptional care to the children of the Delaware Valley and beyond. Ranked among the nation’s best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and honored with the ANCC’s Magnet Designation for excellence in nursing practice, we offer intensive and acute inpatient and outpatient services covering more than 30 pediatric specialties. We recently completed a multi-phase hospital expansion that includes new inpatient rooms, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department. Additionally, Nemours duPont Pediatrics allows us to reach more children across the region through community-based physician services and collaborative partnerships with health and hospital systems.

Nemours is looking for a full time Radiochemist - Assistant Research Scientist at our location in Wilmington, DE.

REQUIRED DEGREE: PhD degree in Radiochemistry or Pharmacy from an accredited college required

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: At least two years of experience as a Radiochemist

The Radiochemist-Assistant Research Scientist - performs research aimed at provision of new positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals or development of new labeling techniques for potential PET radiopharmaceuticals for clinical and research PET scanning. Participates in production of PET radiopharmaceuticals; manages the dispensing, compounding and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals; assist the Laboratory Head in formulating and conducting various research projects that fall within the scope of approved protocols; ensures safe and reliable unit dose dispensing of both investigational radiotracer imaging agents and pre-clinical research radiotracers in compliance with Food and Drug Administration, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, United States Pharmacopeia, and local state rules and regulations.

1) Radioisotope Handling and Dispensing  

• Synthesizes non-radioactive chemical precursors from which radiopharmaceuticals are to be manufactured.
• Develops and implements quality control procedures for new PET radiopharmaceuticals for increased efficiency and accuracy.
• Prepares documentation of new PET radiopharmaceuticals in compliance with department procedures and regulatory agencies’ requirements.
• Develop procedures for in vitro binding assay of new radiotracers; works on animal injection and biodistribution involving radioactive agents.
• Applies principles and practices of pharmacy and radiochemistry to prepare and dispenses unit doses of radioactive pharmaceuticals used for patient study.
• Works collaboratively with the physician-sponsor, various researchers and head radiochemist to produce and provide cGMP-grade novel PET tracers for clinical and research studies.

2) Documentation and Record Keeping

• Maintains compliance with the established regulations for radioactive and other hazardous operation, including, but not limited to daily check, weekly, and monthly quality assurance, radiation safety, procedures, US Pharmacopeia, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
• Documents and participates in chemical inventory and waste disposal, Corrective Action Preventive Action (CAPA); assists with Out of Specification (OOS) event investigations and proposes subsequent plan of action.

3) Radiochemistry Safety

• Monitors assigned area for radiation safety such as wipe test, dose exposure survey; ensures that radiopharmaceutical personnel wear appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE) when working in hazardous controlled areas.
• Ensures that the cGMP room, radiochemistry room, and PET imaging room are clean, organized, and safe for personnel; limits access only to those by qualified/required personnel.
• Works to ensure minimal radiation exposure and compliance with the "As Low as Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) principle.
• Responsible for ensuring radiation detection equipment is worn by personnel working in the reactive material involved areas.
• Performs/documents daily dosimeter checks; ensures radioactive/biohazard waste segregation and disposal and completion of related documentation; ensures appropriate storage and handling of radiation detecting equipment.

Our dedication to professionals who are dedicated to children frequently earns Nemours a spot on the list of top workplaces in the communities we serve. Our Associates enjoy comprehensive benefits, including our unique “Bridge to a Healthy Future” pediatric health plan, an integrated wellness program, opportunities for professional growth, and much more. As an equal opportunity employer, Nemours focuses on the best-qualified applicants for our openings.