Principal Clinical Scientist - Radiation Physics

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated Principal Clinical Scientist to play a pivotal role in advancing the radiation protection services offered by our department.

To be eligible for this position, you must hold HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist, along with MPE certification and either RPA or RWA accreditation through RPA2000 (or be very close to achieving this). Experience in diagnostic radiology and handling radioactive materials would be highly advantageous, as would proven leadership skills or qualifications.

This role demands comprehensive expertise in the applications of ionising radiation within healthcare and academic research settings, as well as practical experience in implementing radiation protection measures across large, complex organisations.

Familiarity with related physics services--such as Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy--is also essential.

For a detailed overview of the role, please refer to the job description. Join us and become part of a team dedicated to innovation and excellence in radiation protection and healthcare science.

If you would like to find out more, we encourage you to call or arrange an informal visit.

Main duties of the job

As a key member of our growing team, which provides a wide range of Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Protection services, you will have the opportunity to reach your full potential by being involved in all aspects of radiation protection services including extensive training programmes, radioactive materials safety, ultrasound QA and laser safety as well as x-ray QA, patient and staff dose audits, shielding calculations and optimisation projects.

We are committed to supporting your professional growth, including the development of leadership skills and the acquisition of new knowledge to be able to thrive at UCLH.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with departments utilising radiation and engage with a diverse portfolio of external clients across London and the Southeast. Our department maintains strong ties with UCL, offering opportunities to contribute to teaching and research initiatives.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

1. University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
2. National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
3. Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
4. University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
5. Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
6. University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
7. The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
8. University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world-class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Date posted: 14 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £70,387 to £80,465 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 309-UCLH-6156

Job locations: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, University College London Hospital, 25 Grafton Way, London, WC1E 6DB

Job description Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

You will be joining a recently expanded team which includes 9 full-time clinical scientists, one part-time consultant clinical scientist, two technologists and an Inservice STP trainee. The team are motivated, enthusiastic and friendly who are working hard and gaining competencies in a range of subject areas. We currently have three RPAs, two RWAs, 8 MPEs and three LPAs and are well placed to develop staff to achieve their best and develop their own careers.

Radiation Physics is part of the Medical Physics Department which can be found in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing at UCLH, just on Grafton Way. Radiation Physics is opposite the UCLH Grafton Way Building which houses one of two NHS Proton Beam Therapy Treatment Centres in the UK.

UCLH is located in central London with easy access to the West End and major transport hubs.

The nearest train stations are Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross with a range of underground stations including Euston Square, Warren Street and Euston.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff. To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject
• HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist
• Certificated RPA
• Certificated MPE
• Corporate Membership or Fellowship of relevant professional institutes (eg IPEM, SRP)

Desirable

• Relevant PhD or equivalent
• Certificated RWA
• Certificated LPA
• Healthcare Leadership Qualification

Scientific and Technical Experience

Essential

• Experience of line managing small teams or a small number of employees
• Experience of staff appraisal
• Advanced level of knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices in Radiation Physics
• Theoretical and practical expert knowledge of the field of Radiation Safety, including the knowledge required to act as a Radiation Protection Adviser.
• Specialist knowledge of the Ionising Radiations Regulations and their application to a medical and biomedical research environment.
• Specialist knowledge of the Environmental Permitting Regulations and their application to a medical and biomedical research environment.
• Knowledge of radiation issues in Radiology sufficient to act as a Medical Physics Expert under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations
• Theoretical knowledge and practical experience of the design of facilities and structures with respect to radiation protection and detailed knowledge of construction techniques and materials.
• Ability to apply knowledge and experience in making judgements regarding the safe and optimal use of radiation by themselves and others, involving objective assessment of benefits and detriments associated with various options available.
• Ability to perform options appraisal in highly complex situations based on highly complex information and calculations

Desirable

• Specialist knowledge in other legislative areas such as Road Transport of Radioactive Materials, Trans-frontier Shipment of Radioactive Materials, Radiation Emergency Preparedness etc.

Clinical Experience

Essential

• Highly specialised knowledge of clinical issues and their implications for radiation dosimetry purposes
• Ability to provide specialised advice on the use of radiation for patient diagnosis and treatment, for routine care and when planning and implementing a research programme
• Basic knowledge of relevant anatomy, physiology and pathology
• High level of understanding of patient and staff risks arising from equipment failure and staff error

Managerial Experience

Essential

• Able to prioritise and manage own work
• Able to implement policies and procedures in own work and to advise on policy and procedure review, development and implementation in services provided by others.
• Able to assess impact of policy/procedure changes on safety and service provision.
• Able to plan and organise a broad range of complex procedures/activities and to monitor ongoing progress.
• Able to motivate staff and inspire confidence
• Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence
• Experience of management of resources
• Able to work in a team

Legal Experience

Essential

• Expert understanding and thorough knowledge of relevant radiation safety legislation, national standards, and professional and other guidelines.
• Experience in the interpretation and application of legislation in a hospital/biomedical research environment
• Experience in the interpretation of organisational policy/strategy to ensure legal requirements and standards are being met

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Research & Development: Has previous research experience
• Teaching & Training: Has previous lecturing/training experience.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to use PC operating systems
• Able to use PC based word processors, spreadsheets to set up documents, spreadsheets etc and extract information
• Able to use other specialised software relating to radiation safety information and radiation dose/exposure calculations

Communication

Essential

• Able to receive and assimilate highly complex technical and scientific information relating to ionising radiation.
• Able to communicate highly complex technical and scientific information to a wide range of staff and the public with differing levels of knowledge and understanding.
• Able to produce clear and unambiguous written reports, guidance, policies and procedures which can be understood by staff at all levels within the organisation.
• Able to communicate risk associated with radiation exposure in a clear manner to persons with no specialist knowledge, including members of the public.
• Able to understand the concerns which individuals may have regarding the risks associated with radiation exposure and deal with highly emotive reactions relating to radiation use.
• Able to communicate highly complex information at postgraduate level to other professional groups
• Able to present scientific papers at national and international conferences
• Able to train groups of other professional staff
• Good negotiation skills
• Able to deal with complex and unpredictable situations

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, University College London Hospital, 25 Grafton Way, London, WC1E 6DB

Employer's website: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk