C230101
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan McConathy, Dr. Anna Sorace, Department of Radiology
Postdoctoral Scholar opening for radiochemist
The Department of Radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is seeking a qualified postdoctoral scholar for the synthesis of PET and SPECT agents for translational oncologic and metabolic imaging with a focus on small molecule-based agents including radiolabeled amino acids. The successful candidate will gain experience in the synthesis and radiolabeling of small molecules using a range of radionuclides including C-11, F-18, Br-76 and I-123 as well as the use of these tracers in preclinical studies and first-in-human imaging. This position will be directly supervised by Jonathan McConathy, MD, PhD, Director of the Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, and Anna Sorace, PhD, Director of the Small Animal Imaging Facility. Their research programs are set in a multi-disciplinary research environment that includes faculty and staff radiochemists, physicists, biologists, and clinical researchers.
Qualifications: Recent Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field with a strong organic synthesis background. Experience in radiochemistry is desirable but not required. Applicants who have completed their Ph.D. training within the past 3 years are strongly preferred.
UAB has outstanding PET and radiochemistry capabilities, providing an outstanding and dynamic environment for training in this field. Preclinical imaging capabilities at UAB include small animal PET/CT, SPECT/CT, optical, ultrasound, CT and MRI instruments. The UAB Advanced Imaging Facility has a state-of-the-art Advanced Cyclotron Systems Inc. TR-24 cyclotron, a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) area for human radiopharmaceutical production, hot cells for radiochemistry research, two time-of-flight (TOF) PET/CT scanners, and a newly installed TOF simultaneous PET/MRI for clinical and research studies, all in close proximity. Additional hot cells for preclinical radiolabeling and space for non-radioactive organic synthesis are located in nearby Lister Hill and Volker Hall laboratories.
Please send your CV, the names and contact information of 3 references who can evaluate your scientific potential, and a 1-page letter summarizing your qualifications and research interests to Jonathan McConathy (
About our Postdoc Office
UAB is committed to the development and success of outstanding postdoctoral scientists. Here at UAB, nearly 300 postdoctoral fellows are training currently in a variety of disciplines. Competitive postdoc awards are available including internships, grant incentives, funds to enhance education and collaboration outside UAB, and teaching opportunities at local universities. There is also a Postdoc Research Day with monetary awards. The Office of Postdoctoral Education strongly encourages UAB research mentors to follow the National Research Service Award stipend level guidelines, and postdoctoral scholars qualify for health, life, and other insurances. They also have the right to participate in the university’s 403(b) program and enjoy vacation, sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and other benefits.
About the University
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB is internationally renowned for its intensely collaborative culture that has — for more than five decades — produced breakthroughs in education, health care, research, and service. UAB was ranked #1 in the United States, and in the top 10 worldwide, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2018 Young University Rankings.
Spanning more than 100 city blocks, UAB is the state of Alabama’s largest single employer with nearly 28,000 employees and has an annual, state-wide economic impact of $12.1 billion. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” ranks 16 UAB graduate programs among the nation’s top 25 and eight UAB specialties were ranked among the nation’s top 50 in the magazine’s 2022-2023 Best Hospitals report. UAB research grants and awards are at a record high, totaling $715 million in FY22 — a 50% increase over the past five years. UAB ranks 33rd among all universities in federal research funding and 17th among public universities. UAB's NIH funding continues to grow among peer institutions in the Southeast and beyond, with the university ranking 25th among all universities in NIH funding and 11th among public universities.
UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity, and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.
For more information on Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at UAB, visit the UAB Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion opens a new website, call (205) 934-8762, or contact the office at 701 20th Street South, AB 336, Birmingham, AL 35294-0103.
