Producing Ac-225 from Ra-226 for applications in nuclear medicine

☞ KU Leuven

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Update day: 16-11-2025

Location: Leuven Flemish Brabant

Category: Production / Operation

Industry: Onderwijs

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Job content

The KU Leuven Institute for Nuclear and Radiation Physics (IKS) specializes in the production and use of radioactive ion beams for the study of nuclear structure and nuclear reactions, as well as the use of radioisotopes and radiation as probes for the study of fundamental symmetries at the low-energy particle level. The Interdisciplinary Research Group is expanding this research into new domains, including the production of novel medical radioisotopes with the isotope separation online (ISOL) technique. Research is performed at the CERN ISOLDE and MEDICIS facilities, as well as at the Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK CEN located in Mol. The research outputs are part of larger collaborations including radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, and research hospital partners locally (UZ Leuven, UZ Brussel, UZ Ghent) and at the European and international levels (PRISMAP, LISA ITN). The Interdisciplinary Research Group also features a fundamental research program into the shape of radioisotopes by means of resonance ionization spectroscopy in the ion-source (RILIS) and in collinear geometry (CRIS), as well as with muonic x-ray spectroscopy at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Villigen, CH). The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the science and knowledge service of the European Commission. Its mission is to support EU policies with independent evidence in the areas of nuclear safety and security throughout the policy cycle. The JRC is located in 5 Member States (Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). The successful candidate will be attached to the Nuclear Science & Applications Unit in Karlsruhe (Germany), where the operational scientific research will take place. The unit’s mission is to build and retain expertise, promote the integration of basic nuclear research at the European level, support the beneficial use of radioisotopes for non-power applications and build the scientific reputation of the JRC as a trustworthy body for policy advice.

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Project
Within this project, you will investigate methods for securing the supply of radionuclides for the development of novel, more effective methods for treating widespread diseases. Those radionuclides are necessary components for the development of radiopharmaceuticals, their widespread clinical application, and equal patient access throughout the European Union. In this framework, you will develop high-performance targets and characterize them before use at irradiation experiments.

In particular, you shall investigate the production of Ac-225 using the Ra-226(p,2n) reaction, namely the proton irradiation of Ra-226. This work will start with the development of solid-state and/or liquid Ra-226 targets, with particular attention to the management of Rn-222 emissions. You will also investigate the Ra-226(p,2n)Ac-225 excitation function in the energy range 5-25 MeV towards proposing a realistic solution for the sustainable production of Ac-225.
Profile
Successful candidates should hold a Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering or Chemistry at the time of start of their PhD study, with an established knowledge of nuclear science, e.g. nuclear physics, nuclear engineering or radiochemistry. A keen interest in the medical applications of radioisotopes and in experimental physics, and an independent and diligent work ethic are relevant aspects.

This PhD project is part of the European Commission-funded Collaborative Doctoral Programme between KU Leuven and the Joint Research Centre. The candidate will thus share her/his time between both institutions and should thus show willingness to be mobile and open to different working environments and research techniques.
Offer

We offer afully-funded, 4-year PhD scholarship, to be spent between KU Leuven and theJoint Research Centre in Karlsruhe. The successful candidate will spend thefirst 9 months of her/his project at KU Leuven followed by 24 months at theJRC, and then 15 months at KU Leuven.


She/he will be fully integrated in bothexperimental groups to benefit from the strengths and knowledge from bothinstitutions, with the added value from working for a European organization.She/he will be part of the Arenberg Doctoral School, which monitors andsupports the progress of PhD candidates, and be given opportunities to study atinternational summer schools and present their work at topical workshops andinternational conferences. KU Leuven and the JRC are part of many internationalcollaborations such as PRISMAP, which also provide additional opportunities fornetworking and exchange.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Thomas Elias Cocolios, tel.: +32 16 32 31 16, mail: thomas.cocolios@kuleuven.be, or dr. Alban Kellerbauer (JRC) mail: alban.kellerbauer@ec.europa.eu.

You can apply for this job no later than November 30, 2021 via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
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Deadline: 31-12-2025

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