Principal Physicist - Brachytherapy

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a Principal Physicist to lead its Brachytherapy service and support external beam radiotherapy. Responsibilities include managing service compliance, providing scientific support, and developing new technologies. Candidates must possess HCPC registration as a clinical scientist and MPE status. The role offers professional growth in a collaborative, world-class healthcare setting with various employee benefits.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private Healthcare Insurance

Private pension contribution

Season Ticket Loan

Group Life Assurance

Critical illness cover

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Corporate staff discounts

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as a clinical scientist in the field of radiotherapy physics.
• Must submit an MPE portfolio within 6-12 months.
• MPE status required.

Responsibilities

• Act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE).
• Provide scientific support for clinical oncologists and medical physics teams.
• Lead development and commissioning of new equipment and techniques.
• Participate in research and development projects.
• Write reports for procedures and techniques.
• Advise on radiation protection matters.

Skills

Clinical oncologist support

Radiotherapy physics expertise

Research and development

QA and compliance knowledge

Radiation protection

Education

HCPC registration as a clinical scientist

MPE status

Tools

Variseed treatment planning software

Eclipse treatment planning software

TrueBeam linacs

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity to join HCA Healthcare as a Principal Physicist to take a lead in running our Brachytherapy service, as well as supporting external beam radiotherapy.

Main duties of the job

The Principal Physicist is responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the service, including Legislative Compliance and Service Development. They are the lead physics contact for the industry leading urologists and oncologists involved in the Brachytherapy service.

This is an exciting time to join our team as management of the service transitions from The Harley Street Clinic to London Bridge Hospital. Embedding the service within London Bridge Hospital will enable closer collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, streamline service delivery, and provide the opportunity to contribute to a thriving, world-class healthcare environment.

Across our London sites, we provide scientific and technical support to a Radiotherapy service comprising four Truebeam linacs, a Gamma Knife, LDR prostate brachytherapy, and Molecular Radiotherapy. There has been significant development and investment in the service, with a growing linac-based SABR service and the installation of an Elekta Unity MR-Linac due to go live at The Harley Street Clinic in early 2026.

The successful candidate will also have opportunities to contribute to, and gain experience in, the wider work of the department.

About us

Why HCA UK?

Originally founded over 50 years ago by Dr Thomas Frist, HCA has gone on to become one of the worlds leading healthcare providers. In the UK, we are one of the largest providers of privately funded healthcare and have invested over £500 million in the latest treatments, technology, techniques, medication and facilities. Being part of a large multisite, established healthcare group we can offer you unrivalled opportunities for career progression through internal and external courses, as well as working conditions that prioritise both your mental and physical wellbeing. We believe that by caring for our employees, we empower them to provide exceptional care for our patients. That's why we offer a host of flexible benefits that reflect the invaluable contribution they make every day. As a Principal Physicist you'll be eligible for:

• 25 days holiday each year (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with option to buy or sell leave to suit you
• Private Healthcare Insurance for treatment at our leading hospitals
• Private pension contribution which increases with length of service
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Group Life Assurance from day one
• Critical illness cover
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Corporate staff discount for all facilities including Maternity packages at The Portland
• Comprehensive range of flexible health, protection and lifestyle benefits to suit you
• Discounts with over 800 major retailers

Job responsibilities

Act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE)

Provide scientific support for clinical oncologists, radiographers, dosimetrists and the rest of the medical physics team.

Be responsible for the development and commissioning of new equipment and techniques.

Propose, lead and participate in research and development projects.

Write comprehensive reports for new procedures, equipment and techniques, including commissioning reports and work instructions.

Define and participate in the routine tasks within the department including QA, duty cover etc.

Advise the Head of Radiotherapy Physics, Medical Physics Leads, and wider business.

Take ownership of all ongoing physics matters in their area of work.

Be responsible for delegated radiation protection matters, ensuring compliance with legislation, organising RPA and EA audits and ensuring compliance with IRR, EPR and IR(ME)R regulations.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as a clinical scientist in the field of radiotherapy physics
• Able to submit an MPE portfolio within 6-12 months
• MPE status

Experience

• Experience in LDR brachytherapy
• Able to act as an RPS
• Experience with Variseed brachytherapy treatment planning software
• Experience with Eclipse treatment planning software, Aria OIS and TrueBeam linacs

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.