SPECT-PET-CT Imaging Spec

Overview

The SPECT/PET/CT Imaging Specialist designs, executes, and analyzes pre-clinical oncology imaging studies in mouse models to evaluate novel cancer therapies under industry-sponsored research agreements. The role develops imaging protocols, performs radiopharmaceutical handling, sets-up and operates SPECT/PET/CT imaging and other laboratory equipment, monitors experiments, and analyzes and summarizes results to meet sponsor timelines and deliverables. This position ensures compliance with IACUC protocols, AAALAC standards, radiation safety regulations, and Animal Resource Facilities (ARF) SOPs, maintaining rigorous documentation to support reports, manuscripts, patent disclosures, and IND-enabling filings. The specialist collaborates with principal investigators, radiochemistry, EH&S, and external partners while maintaining imaging equipment performance and laboratory operations.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Study Design and Protocol Execution: Develop imaging study designs and SOPs for pre-clinical SPECT/PET/CT; plan animal cohorts, tracer selection, acquisition parameters, and schedules. Ensure protocol adherence and timely completion of sponsor deliverables.
• Radiopharmaceutical Handling and Imaging Operations: Perform radioactivity receipt/assay, logging, safe handling, and hot-lab practices; prepare animals (anesthesia, positioning, monitoring), conduct SPECT/PET/CT acquisitions, and maintain ALARA-based contamination control and exposure monitoring.
• Equipment Quality Control and Maintenance: Conduct routine QC (e.g., PET normalization and SUV cross-calibration; SPECT uniformity and center-of-rotation; CT HU calibration). Perform dose calibrator checks and phantom studies. Troubleshoot artifacts. Coordinate service, upgrades, and acceptance testing with vendors.
• Analysis and Reporting: Analyze experimental data and interpret results. Prepare reports and summaries of findings including contributing to sponsor reports, grant materials, manuscript figures, and formal presentations. Maintain detailed notebook of all work-related activities and support patent invention disclosures and IND enabling filing.
• Animal Procedures and Welfare: Establish and maintain mouse tumor models (e.g., injections, minor surgery); dose animals via multiple routes; measure tumors by calipers; perform non-invasive imaging; ensure welfare refinements and adherence to IACUC/AAALAC standards.
• Compliance, Safety, and Documentation: Ensure adherence to IACUC protocols, AAALAC standards, NRC/MA radiation regulations, EH&S policies, and ARF SOPs; maintain training records, radioactivity logs, incident reporting, and audit readiness. Contribute to IACUC protocol development and amendments.
• Laboratory Operations and Collaboration: Manage supply levels and procurement, collaborate with Purchasing and negotiate with vendors. Support basic budgeting and inventory control. Contribute to laboratory organization; train new staff on imaging SOPs and coordinate communications with internal and external collaborators.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced proficiency with pre-clinical SPECT/PET/CT systems and analysis software.
• Strong knowledge of radiation safety principles (ALARA) and documentation requirements.
• Demonstrated skill in rodent handling and in vivo techniques (injections, minor surgery, anesthesia/analgesia, physiological monitoring), with a deep understanding of welfare and refinement practices.
• Expertise in equipment and dose calibrator QC, phantom studies, artifact recognition/troubleshooting, and vendor coordination for maintenance and upgrades.
• Proficiency using PACS-like imaging archives, laboratory data systems, and computer-interfaced instruments, including automation/robotics and high-technology applications relevant to imaging workflows.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritization, time management, and risk mitigation to meet sponsor timelines with reproducible, audit-ready results.
• Ability to address complex, unique issues with thoughtful evaluation of intangible factors and sound judgement.
• Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills; ability to create clear reports, figures, and data summaries for multidisciplinary and sponsor audiences.
• Knowledge of and adherence to IACUC/AAALAC standards, NRC/MA radiation regulations, EH&S policies, and institutional SOPs; ability to develop, modify, and improve SOPs in alignment with sponsored research agreements.
• High integrity, meticulous recordkeeping, and data governance supporting grants, publications, patent disclosures, and IND-enabling documentation.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills; ability to train staff and work within a matrixed, sponsor-facing environment; professional demeanor in all collaborator interactions.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Animal Sciences or related Life Sciences.
• 5 years of experience in SPECT/PET/CT imaging required.
• Hands-on experience with in vivo dosing routes (oral, IV, IP), minor surgical techniques, anesthesia/analgesia, physiological monitoring, and non-invasive imaging (e.g., bioluminescent imaging) preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative image analysis, equipment quality control, and radiation safety program participation preferred.
• Experience executing industry-sponsored studies with defined timelines and deliverables preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Patient Contact:

No

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).