Principal Clinical Scientist – Radiation Safety and Imaging Physics
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Colchester and Ipswich, CO4 5JL
Salary
£66,582 to £77,368
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
1 September 2026
1 days left
In plain English
What this job actually involves
You'll be a lead scientist in radiation safety and imaging physics, advising on regulations and providing expertise to medical staff. You'll work with a large NHS trust, helping to shape the future of radiation safety. This role suits someone with strong scientific knowledge and leadership skills, who is passionate about patient care.
What you'll need
- A degree in a relevant subject like physics, biology or chemistry
- Experience in radiation safety and imaging physics
- Leadership skills and experience in a similar role
- Strong scientific knowledge and analytical skills
- Ability to communicate complex ideas to non-technical staff
How to boost your chances
- Consider getting a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field to boost your chances
- Highlight your experience in radiation safety and imaging physics in your application
- Showcase your leadership skills and experience in your CV and cover letter
- Research the trust and the role to understand their specific needs and challenges
- Make sure your application is well-written and easy to understand
Written by AI to help you understand this advert in plain English. It can get things wrong — always check the original advert before you apply.
Job description
We are looking for someone to help lead and shape the future of the Radiation Safety and Imaging Physics team at ESNEFT as a Principal Clinical Scient...
- Advise the Trust on regulatory compliance in relation to radiation safety
- Provide scientific and technical expertise to consultant medical staff and other healthcare professionals in relation to radiation safety and the physics of ionising and non-ionising radiation
- Fulfil the role of Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) as described in regulation 14 of the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017
- Fulfil the role of Medical Physics Expert (MPE) for diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology as described in regulation 14 of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R17)
- Provide advice on radioactive waste management, environmental radiation protection and the transport of radioactive substances
- Advise on regulatory compliance in relation to the use of lasers and non-ionising radiation
- Contribute to the strategic planning and development of the Radiation Safety and Imaging Physics section
- Initiate and undertake research and development activity
- Provide support for training and personal development of trainees, under-graduate and post-graduate students and appropriately qualified scientific and technical staff working in radiation safety and imaging physics
- Deputise for the Head of Radiation Safety & Imaging Physics as required
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Qualifications and Registration
Essential
- Masters degree in an area of Medical Physics or equivalent level of specialist knowledge
- Membership of relevant professional body
- State registered Clinical Scientist
- Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Medical Physics Experts (MPE)
- Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Certificate of Core Competence to act as Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) under IRR17
Desirable
- PhD
- Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Certificate of Core Competence to act as Radioactive Waste Advisor (RWA)
- Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Specialist Certificate of Competence to act as Laser Protection Advisor (LPA)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Highly developed specialist knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices in the field of radiation safety and imaging physics, building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience
- Sufficient knowledge and experience to act as Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R17 within the field of diagnostic radiology
- Ability to act as Operator under IR(ME)R17
- Sufficient knowledge and experience to maintain Certificates of Core Competence to act as RPA
- Highly developed specialist knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of state-of-the-art x-ray imaging equipment
- Specialised knowledge of wider clinical issues and their implications in Diagnostic Imaging
- High level of understanding of patient and staff risks associated with ionising and non-ionising radiation
- Knowledge of employment procedures and practices to a level appropriate for supervising individuals or small groups of staff
- Ability to prioritise and manage own work
- Ability to exercise initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence
- In depth knowledge and understanding of all relevant legislation, standards, guidelines and safety principles relating to the use of ionising and non-ionising radiation in a healthcare setting
- Experience of provision of radiation safety advice to a range of staff groups within a range of clinical areas
- Knowledge of Governance issues including ethical and regulatory considerations
- Understanding of incident reporting pathways (internal and external) in the context of diagnostic imaging
- Ability to design and implement clinical and service audits.
- Experience of supervising STP and/or Route 2 physics trainees
- Experience of training a wide range of professionals in Radiation Safety
- Ability to identify relevant areas for R&D focus
Desirable
- Experience in managing a Radiation Safety Service or Imaging Physics team
- Experience in managing departmental budgets
- Understanding of leadership qualities in a healthcare setting
- Detailed knowledge of risk management systems
- Experience of setting up and supervising research projects
- Sufficient knowledge and experience to maintain Certificates of Core Competence to act as RWA
- Sufficient knowledge and experience to maintain Certificates of Core Competence to act as LPA
- Highly developed specialist knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and safety of non-ionising equipment such as medical lasers, ultrasound and ultraviolet
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
13 August 2026
Last checked
14 August 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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