Clinical Fellow In Proton Beam Therapy

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer center in Manchester seeks a Clinical Fellow in Proton Therapy. This one-year program combines clinical and research responsibilities, allowing the fellow to develop expertise in patient care and research on proton therapy. Applicants should have completed FRCR examinations and possess at least 3 years of experience in radiotherapy. The role involves rotations across multiple tumour types, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to a pioneering clinical service while advancing skills in leadership, research, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Involvement in ground-breaking research

Support for conference presentations

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience in radiotherapy.
• Expertise in advanced radiotherapy techniques.
• Publications in scientific journals are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Participate in clinical rotations focusing on various tumour subsites.
• Lead and participate in research projects.
• Support education initiatives for peers and medical students.

Skills

Experience in advanced radiation approaches at IMRT/VMAT

Research experience

Experience with clinical trials

Strong written and oral communication skills

Education

MBBCh or equivalent

FRCR (clinical oncology) or equivalent

GMC registration (or eligibility to)

Job description

The clinical fellowship in proton therapy is a one‑year programme that allows the fellow to gain experience in both clinical and research aspects of proton therapy. The post will be split 80 % clinical and 20 % research/CPD.

Suitable trainees will have completed their FRCR examinations (or equivalent) and be senior specialty trainees in Clinical Oncology. Overseas applications are welcome.

Candidates to the post can expect to complete four monthly clinical rotations in disease sites: paediatrics, head and neck, CNS and skull base, sarcoma, lymphoma, oesophageal and HPB, lung and breast. Exact details of the rotation can be discussed and tailored to suit the learning needs of the appointed fellow.

Fellows will have opportunities to lead and actively participate in research projects. In addition, there are management and leadership skill‑development opportunities during the fellowship.

Informal enquiries are welcomed, please email Dr Mohamed Khalid Abutaleb – [e-mail].

Closing date for application is 21 December 2025. Shortlisted candidates should expect interviews week commencing 12 January 2026. Please note that the advert may close early if sufficient interest is received. The successful applicant is expected to start in March & May 2026.

Main duties of the job

The medical establishment provides specialist care for patients receiving proton therapy with five consultant clinical oncologists supporting paediatrics, four supporting head and neck tumours, three supporting adult CNS, four supporting sarcoma, one supporting oesophageal and HPB, one supporting breast, and another supporting lung currently.

The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to the Christie Proton Therapy Service. This will mainly be daytime working hours but will include a component (on a rota) of early evening working to provide support to the clinical service as required. Weekend and bank holiday clinical shifts are additionally paid as locum and participation in this is voluntary.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60 000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15 % of patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world, chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world‑first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job description

Job responsibilities

During the 12‑month fellowship, you will become competent in using Proton Beam Therapy in the treatment management of common tumour subsites as Head & Neck, CNS, Paediatrics, Sarcoma, Thoracic, Lymphoma, Breast and Upper GIT, as well as complex and rare tumours. Through clinical rotations you will develop expertise in patient selection, tumour delineation, treatment planning and delivery for PBT, including experience in paediatric conventional radiation therapy.

You will also support ongoing multi‑centre clinical trials and evaluative commissioning proton projects, investigating the role of proton therapy.

Alongside your clinical responsibilities, you will have dedicated time for research tailored to your areas of interest. You will be involved in a variety of research projects, with the flexibility to shape these to align with your professional goals. Throughout your tenure, you will receive support to write up and publish your findings and present them at both national and international conferences. Additionally, you will have the exciting opportunity to work closely with members of the NHS Proton Registry. This collaboration allows you to contribute to national data validation projects and even lead your own research initiatives – an invaluable experience that will deepen your understanding of various aspects of data management.

• Work alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, including oncologists, physicists, radiographers, and specialist nurses.
• Hands‑on Experience in Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques: Gain exposure to cutting‑edge treatment methodologies and precision planning.
• Contribute to clinical research, including the development of your research area and projects, and involvement in ongoing clinical trials.
• Support education and training initiatives for peers, medical students, resident doctors, and allied health professionals.
• Academic Contributions: Present findings at conferences and contribute to scientific publication to advance the field of proton therapy.

Administrative duties: Assist in administrative tasks related to direct patient care, National PBT Registry and service development.

The role will be responsible for:

• Clinical responsibilities will include outpatient care for radiotherapy patients, volume delineation and planning, radiotherapy QA and participation in relevant MDTs. The fellow will be seeing new, on‑treatment and follow‑up patients independently either face‑to‑face or virtually. Inpatient care is rarely needed and is to provide radiotherapy support for patients admitted while on PBT.
• Additionally, there is an expectation to provide senior RT care if PBT treatment extends beyond the 9 am‑5 pm working hours. These can include selected days over the weekends and bank holidays (one day a month on average). These shifts are distributed over four PBT fellows on a rota and are either separately paid (current practice) as locum and compensated as days in lieu (could be incorporated in future).

Person Specification

Teaching

Desirable

• Experience in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Attainments

Essential

• MBBCh or equivalent.
• FRCR (clinical oncology) or equivalent in clinical/radiation oncology.
• GMC registration (or eligibility to).
• IELTS/OET or equivalent (Please consult the GMG for criteria).

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications in medicine.
• MRCP (or equivalent).
• Other oncology/Radiotherapy related professional qualifications/Registration.

Training

Essential

• Experience of ≥ 3 years in radiotherapy.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in advanced radiation approaches at IMRT/VMAT.
• Understands principles of audit.

Desirable

• Previous experience in PBT.
• Relevant management experience in oncology.
• Attendance of proton beam therapy (PBT) courses/training.

Attainments

Essential

• Research experience.

Desirable

• Publications in scientific journals.
• Previous involvement in development and implementation of clinical trials.

Personal skills

Essential

• Experience of working independently and within a team environment to achieve timely and valued objectives.
• Willingness to learn new skills.
• Developments in oncology practice, particularly advanced radiotherapy techniques.

Desirable

• Willingness to forge new collaborations and new ways of working; patient friendly.
• Must be resilient and well organised, confident in ability but knowing own limitations; hardworking, enthusiastic achiever.
• Good written and oral communication skills.