Head of Brachytherapy Physics 8b

NHS Jobs; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for Head of Brachytherapy Physics to lead the Radiotherapy Physics group. You will oversee HDR and LDR brachytherapy, work with oncologists and radiographers, and drive strategic development of the service.

The role requires HCPC registration as Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics, MPE and RPA accreditations, plus strong leadership and clinical research experience.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics (MSc Medical Physics or equivalent)
• Accreditation as Medical Physics Expert (MPE) per IRMER 2017
• Accreditation as Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) per IRR 2017
• Management/Leadership training and qualifications

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Brachytherapy Physics service.
• Provide technical and managerial leadership for HDR and LDR brachytherapy.
• Collaborate with Clinicians, Radiographers, Clinical Scientists and Technologists.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards in radiotherapy.
• Support service development and adoption of new technologies.

Skills

HCPC registration

MPE accreditation

RPA accreditation

Leadership

Education

MSc Medical Physics (or equivalent)

Specialist training (Clinical Scientist)

Tools

Elekta Microselectron HDR

Oncentra Brachy

RayStation

Mosaiq

Variseed

Job description

Head of Brachytherapy Physics

The closing date is 14 October 2026

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Job Title: Head of Brachytherapy Physics

Contract Type: Permanent

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a small team within the Radiotherapy Physics Group to deliver a cutting-edge Brachytherapy Service.

As part of this role, you will work closely with Clinical Oncologists, Radiographers, Clinical Scientists and Technologists to deliver both HDR and LDR Brachytherapy Services.Reporting to the Head of Radiotherapy Physics, you will be part of a friendly, Senior Team, contributing to strategic and technical developments within Radiotherapy Physics.

About us

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Job responsibilities

We currently treat both gynaecological and prostate patients with Elekta Microselectron HDR afterloader. Image guided Brachytherapy Treatments are planned using Oncentra Brachy treatment planning system and with state of the art CTMR compatible applicators enabling interstitial insertions where clinically required. GEC-ESTRO (GYN) Recommendations are fully implemented for cervix treatments. An ongoing interest in this field would be desirable.

The team also supports delivery of Iodine-125 seed prostate treatments, using Variseed Treatment Planning system.

External Beam Radiotherapy is delivered on a suite of 7 Elekta Linacs, supported by Raystation Treatment Planning System and Mosaiq.

Service development and innovation are at the core of our work and staff are encouraged to attend and present their work at National and International meetings.

While the primary focus of this role is to provide technical and managerial leadership for the brachytherapy service, we will be happy to discuss involvement in other areas of interest with potential applicants.

The successful applicant needs to be a state registered Clinical Scientist with experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Brachytherapy Physics.

Registration as a Radiation Protection Advisor (in Radiotherapy) would be an advantage, but we can offer training to develop the successful candidate to support this role.

An informal visit to the department in encouraged.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and managing the Brachytherapy Physics service, contributing directly to Clinical treatments, training staff and implementing new developments and equipment within Brachytherapy. You will act as an MPE in Brachytherapy and take overall responsibility for delivery of the service. You will work closely with the Head of Radiotherapy Physics and Radiation Protection Advisor to ensure compliance with Regulations related to delivery of a Brachytherapy service.

Extensive experience of brachytherapy is essential for this role, together with proven management and leadership skills. Ability to work flexibly to accommodate clinical treatments is essential.

Excellent communication skills are required to reassure patients, interact with clinicians, radiographers, scientists and technologists and contribute to the strategic direction of the Radiotherapy Physics Senior Team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualifications and experience to enable HCPC registration as Clinical Scientist in Radiotherapy Physics (MSc Medical Physics (or equivalent and specialist training)
• Accreditation as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) as defined in IRMER 2017
• Accreditation as a Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) as defined in IRR 2017
• Management / Leadership training and qualifications

Experience

• Extensive experience in the application of radiation physics to clinical radiotherapy and radiation protection practice in the field of external beam and sealed source radiotherapy
• Experience of identifying, planning and undertaking research or service development work. Delivering outcome to agreed timescale
• Experience of presentation at national / international scientific meetings
• Experience in teaching / training
• Experience of managing staff
• Track record of successful research grant applications
• Author of published reports / publications
• Experience of use and coding using a broad range of software packages

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.