A full time post-doctoral research position is available for a period of one year (renewable for another year) at the Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, Alessandria (Italy), on "NMR relaxometric characterization of Gd-based systems for the development of dual imaging probes".

Our lab is part of the European COST Action D38, ”Metal-based Systems for Molecular Imaging Application” and our research activities are aimed at developing efficient Imaging Probes based on Gd(III) complexes. Within the frame of a Regional Project on Innovative Platform for Medical Imaging and in collaboration with academic and industrial partners (University of Turin, Bracco Imaging, Advanced Accelerator Applications, Fluody), we are committed at the synthesis and characterization of innovative dual PET-MRI, SPECT-MRI and MRI-optical probes with the aim at the synergistic exploitation of the peculiar properties of the two diagnostic techniques. After full physico-chemical characterization, these Imaging probes will be tested in vitro and in vivo with Magnetic Resonance Imaging on tumors and other cardiovascular or neurological pathologies.

Candidates are expected to have a PhD degree in Chemistry with a background in coordination chemistry, NMR spectroscopy and some experience in the area of the physical chemistry of Gd-based contrast agents.

Start date: December 2010 or February 2011
Untaxed stipend: 22,000 €
Contact: Professor Mauro Botta (mauro.botta@mfn.unipmn.it).