Inorganic approaches to 18F-based positron emission tomography (PET) imaging applications

This is an experimentally based PhD studentship focused on the synthesis and radiofluorination of molecular inorganic complexes, typically involving d- or p-block Lewis acids with high fluoride affinity, bound to functionalised macrocyclic ligands for potential applications in medical imaging via Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The studentship is associated with a collaborative EPSRC Programme Grant, 'Next generation molecular imaging and therapy with radionuclides' led by King's College London, in collaboration with Imperial College London and the University of Southampton, while training and experience in radiolabelling experiments will take place in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences at KCL (based at St Thomas' Hospital). The research is highly interdisciplinary, as well as developing strong skills in inorganic and macrocyclic coordination chemistry.