Principal Clinical Scientist - Oncology Medical Physics

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health care provider is seeking a Principal Clinical Scientist to join their Radiotherapy Physics Department at Royal Preston Hospital. Key responsibilities include overseeing clinical services and driving innovation in radiotherapy techniques. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant degree and have significant experience as a Medical Physics Expert. A competitive salary of £55,690 to £62,682 is offered, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• State Registered Clinical Scientist required.
• Sufficient experience as a Medical Physics Expert in radiotherapy.
• Expert knowledge in radiotherapy physics.

Responsibilities

• Act as part of a team delivering radiotherapy services.
• Contribute to planning and implementation of new techniques.
• Oversee quality management systems operations.

Skills

Strong scientific leadership

Clear communication of complex concepts

Effective collaboration

Teaching experience

Education

Honours degree in an appropriate physical science

Postgraduate Degree (e.g. Master's level)

PhD or equivalent evidence of research training

Full membership of IPEM or equivalent

Job description

Overview

There is a vacancy for a Principal Clinical Scientist based in the Radiotherapy Physics Department at the Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The closing date is 28 September 2025. The role is based in a team that includes clinical scientists, dosimetrists, engineers and a quality manager, with ongoing recruitment of trainees and apprentice engineers.

About us

Rosemere Cancer Centre is on the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Royal Preston Hospital site and provides an external beam radiotherapy service for the adult population of Lancashire and South Cumbria (1.6 million population). The centre has:

• Eight clinical Elekta linacs (including two Harmony Pro linacs), all with Vision RT surface guided technology, CBCT, flattening filter free treatment capability and equipped with Response ABC system.
• Two dedicated Philips Big Bore CT scanners with Vision RT surface guided technology.
• MOSAIQ and SYNERGISTIQ(TM).
• Treatment planning is conducted on Pinnacle throughout the department. Some treatment planning is also being carried out on Raystation.
• Independent VMAT plan verification is carried out using Sun Nuclear DoseCHECK.
• Rosemere is commissioned to provide SABR for primary lung tumours and oligometasteses (non-spine and spine, lung, liver and adrenal) in addition to intracranial SRS.
• Commissioning and implementation of Monaco treatment planning system to replace Pinnacle.
• Commissioning of our first Elekta EVO linac currently being installed.
• Evaluation of Sun Nuclear PerFRACTION for pre-treatment and in vivo QA.
• Roll out use of Vision RT surface guided technology for all sites. System already in use for all palliative, breast, lung and prostate patients as a result we are offering tattoo-less radiotherapy for some of these sites.
• Implementation of Elekta ONE Smart View.

Job responsibilities

See attached Job Description for details of main responsibilities.

Being Caring and Compassionate is at the heart of everything we do, it is about understanding what each person needs and striving to make a positive difference in whatever way we can.

Recognising Individuality — Appreciating differences, making staff and patients feel respected and valued.

Seeking to Involve — Actively gets involved and encourages others to contribute and share their ideas, information, knowledge and skills in order to provide a joined up service.

Building Team Spirit — Working together as one team with shared goals doing what it takes to provide the best possible service.

Taking Personal Responsibility — Individuals are accountable for achieving improvements to obtain the highest standards of care in the most professional way, resulting in a service we can all be proud of.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

• State Registered Clinical Scientist
• Honours degree in an appropriate physical science
• Postgraduate Degree (e.g. Masters level and above)
• Registered as a MPE with RPA 2000
• Full membership of IPEM or other equivalent professional body
• PhD or equivalent evidence of research training

Knowledge & Experience

• Sufficient experience to act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in the required areas of radiotherapy
• Expert knowledge in one or more aspects of radiotherapy physics
• Experience of planning/implementation of new facilities/techniques/equipment within a team
• Knowledge of computer software packages used for analysing and presenting data
• Working knowledge of quality management systems
• Knowledge of appropriate health and safety legislation
• Involved with the operation of Quality management systems
• Supervision of students and trainees
• Planning / implementation of new facilities
• Basic understanding of HR policies and procedures
• Understanding of research and clinical governance

Skills & Abilities

• Strong scientific leadership
• Clear and articulate communicator of complex scientific concepts
• Record of dissemination / publication of scientific work
• Effective collaboration with other organisations
• Successful completion of externally funded research projects
• Previous experience of teaching

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.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 per year (pro rata where applicable)