Cyclotron Manager at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Cyclotron Manager oversees the management, strategic direction, and operational excellence of AMCE's medical cyclotron facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient production of medical isotopes for diagnostic imaging and patient care. The holder of the post will be responsible for the management of an IBA Cyclone KUIBE 18 MeV cyclotron and associated equipment. The role leads cyclotron operations, maintenance, radiation safety compliance, and team leadership, while collaborating with medical physicists, radiochemists, nuclear medicine physicians, and hospital leadership to meet clinical demands, regulatory requirements, and international quality standards.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Cyclotron Operations & Production Management

• Schedule daily and weekly cyclotron operations to meet clinical, commercial and research demands.
• Oversee the daily operation of medical cyclotrons and associated equipment to ensure safe and efficient production of medical isotopes.
• Coordinate closely with radiochemistry and nuclear medicine teams in scheduling of clinical radiopharmaceuticals..
• Monitor cyclotron system performance, analyse production data, and implement process improvements to optimise isotope yield and quality.
• Manage the upkeep of associated cyclotron equipment, including hot cells, targetry and synthesis modules.
• Ensure all radiopharmaceutical production activities comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards and regulatory requirements.

Maintenance & Asset Management

• Develop and execute preventive and corrective maintenance programmes for cyclotron systems, chemistry modules, hot cells, manipulator arms, and ancillary equipment.
• Coordinate with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), biomedical engineers, and external vendors for scheduled servicing, repairs, and major component replacement.
• Manage cyclotron facility assets, including spare parts inventory, tooling, and calibration equipment, always ensuring readiness.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for electro-mechanical, high-voltage, vacuum, cooling, and pneumatic systems.

Radiation Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with radiation safety protocols, ALARA principles, and all relevant regulations set by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority and international bodies.
• Oversee radiation monitoring programmes, including personnel dosimetry, area surveys, and contamination checks.
• Maintain records of radiation exposure, radioactive inventory, and nuclear waste disposal.
• Liaise with the hospital Radiation Safety Officer and regulatory agencies during inspections, audits, and licensing activities.
• Maintain all safety certifications, license, and permits required for cyclotron operation and isotope production.

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of cyclotron technicians, engineers, and support staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations, delegate responsibilities, and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deliver training programmes for cyclotron staff on operational procedures, emergency response, and radiation safety.
• Identify professional development opportunities for team members and support career progression.

Documentation, Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Ensure accurate and complete documentation of all cyclotron operations, including production logs, maintenance records, and quality control data.
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports, production summaries, and incident reports to hospital leadership and external agencies as required.
• Lead or participate in internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews, ensuring the cyclotron facility is always audit-ready.
• Implement and maintain quality management systems in alignment with cGMP, ISO, and other relevant standards.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate closely with radiochemists, nuclear medicine physicians, physicists, pharmacists, and hospital administration to ensure seamless production workflows and timely delivery of radiopharmaceuticals.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to align cyclotron production with clinical and research needs.
• Provide technical expertise and strategic input for facility upgrades, new isotope development, and research initiatives.
• Engage with external partners, including academic institutions, research organizations, and industry vendors, to advance cyclotron capabilities.The list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the successful applicant may be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may be reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Must have skills

Demonstrated experience in team leadership, maintenance programme management, and regulatory compliance within a cyclotron or nuclear medicine facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Biomedical), Physics, Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, or a related technical field (Master's degree in a relevant discipline is highly desirable).
• Professional certification or formal training in cyclotron operations, radiation safety, or nuclear medicine technology (e.g., Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiation Safety Officer certification) is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of cyclotron systems, isotope production principles, cGMP standards, and radiation safety regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in team leadership, maintenance program management, and regulatory compliance within a cyclotron or nuclear medicine facility.
• At least 5-7 years of progressive experience in cyclotron operations, with a minimum of 2-3 years in a supervisory or management role within a healthcare or research cyclotron facility.
• Prior experience with OEM cyclotron systems (e.g., IBA, GE, Siemens), hot cells, chemistry modules, and quality management systems (ISO, cGMP) is a strong advantage. 
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken – including report writing, research presentation, team interaction etc).
• Knowledge of current up to date ionizing radiation regulations and radiation protection.