University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Principal Clinical Scientist in Non-Ionising Radiation Physics

The closing date is 04 December 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic HCPC registered Clinical Scientist to take on a leadership role in Medical Physics within the Clinical Measurement and Innovation team at UHPT.

The successful candidate must have significant experience in non-ionising radiation (NIR) safety and optimisation, be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge in all areas of NIR. Candidates with 1-2 years experience working as an HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist may be considered for appointment as a Band 7 Clinical Scientist on a development pathway.

The applicant must be able to work and communicate effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team. There may be some line management duties as part of this role.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their NIR physics skills, as well as attend scientific conferences and partake in development projects and continuing professional development. They will also actively participate in teaching and training within the section.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will undertake, supervise and manage scientific support for the following key work streams:

Lead clinical scientist in provision of UV and US physics services to act in defined roles (Nominated Medical Physicist in Phototherapies / Medical Physics Expert in Ultrasound).

Act as Assistant MR Safety Expert (MRSE*) and provide clinical scientific/technical services for MRI, UV, LASER and Ultrasound supporting Safety, Quality and Compliance Assurance.

Carry out acceptance testing and establish baseline performance criteria including device calibration

Responsible for organisation and delivery of routine QA tests including data and image analysis and patient dosimetry

Develop novel / advanced QA tests.

Investigate image quality issues such as artefacts and advise on remedies

Support clinical protocol implementation and optimisation across MRI, UV and US modalities

Advise on safety policies and procedures across MRI, UV, LASER and US modalities

Participate in the teaching, training and mentoring of Directorate trainees and other staff

Initiate and contribute to research, development and innovation projects, participate in service development and improvement.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-SF-C7568339

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Managerial

Prioritize and manage own work.

Adhere to the ISO 9001:2015 accredited quality system.

Coordinate competency program for new staff and Clinical scientists

Coordinate staff assignment for quality assurance programme.

Work with the Head of Clinical Measurement and Innovation in developing relevant Service Level Agreements.

Plan and develop commissioning programs for new NIR equipment or upgrades to existing equipment.

Supervise unregistered clinical scientists employed in CM&I.

Maintain appropriate and accurate records of the procedures performed.

Organize the calibration of equipment in accordance with statutory requirements.

Participate and organize regular multi-disciplinary meetings, as required.

Teaching, Training and Research

Participate in training programmes for other staff including the preparation and presentation of lectures on areas of Imaging Physics and Radiation Protection to:

Radiology Registrars undertaking the FRCR Part 1 examination.

Trainee Clinical Scientists and Technologists

Participate and present in regular journal club meetings.

Attend national and international meetings/conferences, providing structured feedback to local staff.

Present original work at national meetings and conferences, and in publication.

Regularly propose and participate in research and development projects and clinical audits.

Co-ordinate development work within areas of responsibility.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Managerial

Prioritize and manage own work.

Adhere to the ISO 9001:2015 accredited quality system.

Coordinate competency program for new staff and Clinical scientists

Coordinate staff assignment for quality assurance programme.

Work with the Head of Clinical Measurement and Innovation in developing relevant Service Level Agreements.

Plan and develop commissioning programs for new NIR equipment or upgrades to existing equipment.

Supervise unregistered clinical scientists employed in CM&I.

Maintain appropriate and accurate records of the procedures performed.

Organize the calibration of equipment in accordance with statutory requirements.

Participate and organize regular multi-disciplinary meetings, as required.

Teaching, Training and Research

Participate in training programmes for other staff including the preparation and presentation of lectures on areas of Imaging Physics and Radiation Protection to:

Radiology Registrars undertaking the FRCR Part 1 examination.

Trainee Clinical Scientists and Technologists

Participate and present in regular journal club meetings.

Attend national and international meetings/conferences, providing structured feedback to local staff.

Present original work at national meetings and conferences, and in publication.

Regularly propose and participate in research and development projects and clinical audits.

Co-ordinate development work within areas of responsibility.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Advanced theoretical proven knowledge and practical demonstrable experience across the range of working procedures and practices in NIR
  • Advanced proven knowledge relevant legislation and guidance in healthcare and biomedical research
  • Advanced proven knowledge of MR imaging technologies and image processing software
  • Proven knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and safety of state-of-the-art NIR equipment
  • Advanced demonstrable experience in judging measures required to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance.
  • Demonstrable experience in MR physics as a registered clinical scientist
  • Well-developed IT skills, including Office suite and specialist software systems; able to manage, manipulate and report information

Desirable

  • Proven evidence of publications.

Qualifications

Essential

  • B.Sc. or equivalent
  • M.Sc. in Radiation/Medical Physics or related subject.
  • HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.

Desirable

  • PhD. or equivalent
  • Certificate of competence as a MRSE from IPEM
  • LASER Protection Advisor certification from RPA2000

Disposition, Attitude, Motivation

Essential

  • Patient focus. Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances
  • Honesty, integrity and respect for confidentiality.
Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Advanced theoretical proven knowledge and practical demonstrable experience across the range of working procedures and practices in NIR
  • Advanced proven knowledge relevant legislation and guidance in healthcare and biomedical research
  • Advanced proven knowledge of MR imaging technologies and image processing software
  • Proven knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and safety of state-of-the-art NIR equipment
  • Advanced demonstrable experience in judging measures required to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance.
  • Demonstrable experience in MR physics as a registered clinical scientist
  • Well-developed IT skills, including Office suite and specialist software systems; able to manage, manipulate and report information

Desirable

  • Proven evidence of publications.

Qualifications

Essential

  • B.Sc. or equivalent
  • M.Sc. in Radiation/Medical Physics or related subject.
  • HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.

Desirable

  • PhD. or equivalent
  • Certificate of competence as a MRSE from IPEM
  • LASER Protection Advisor certification from RPA2000

Disposition, Attitude, Motivation

Essential

  • Patient focus. Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances
  • Honesty, integrity and respect for confidentiality.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Interim Head of CM&I

Kate de Burgh

k.deburgh@nhs.net

01752437953

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-SF-C7568339

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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