Principal Radiotherapy Physicist (Treatment Planning)

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in London seeks a Principal Radiotherapy Physicist to provide expertise in External Beam Treatment Planning and oversee the Photon Physics team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Radiotherapy Physics, project management, and the ability to work collaboratively with clinical teams. This role offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Extensive relevant postgraduate experience in Radiotherapy Physics.
• In-depth knowledge of radiotherapy physics.
• RPA2000 Certification as a Medical Physics Expert or sufficient experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior oversight to the Photon Physics team.
• Develop and maintain the brachytherapy service.
• Support the Group Lead in management of the photon physics team.

Skills

Experience in project management

Knowledge of Quality Management Systems

Ability to organize own workload

Experience with scripting using ESAPI

Education

Good First Degree in a Physical Science

Relevant Masters or higher degree

State Registered Clinical Scientist

Tools

MS OFFICE

Varian Equipment including ARIA

Job description

Principal Radiotherapy Physicist (Treatment Planning)

Go back University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 22 October 2025

We are looking for a motivated and experienced Medical physicist to join a team of physicists, dosimetrists, engineers and technologists in the provision of Radiotherapy Physics services. You will have specific responsibility for the oversight of External Beam Treatment Planning (photons only) acting as the Medical Physics Expert in that area.

You will have achieved state registration and must be a registered MPE or eligible to apply for MPE status. You will have a solid background in all aspects of Radiotherapy Physics; External beam treatment planning, including SABR, VMAT and conventional planning techniques; Linac and CT quality assurance. Experience in Brachytherapy would be an advantage but not essential. You will have a proven track record in project management and commissioning of radiotherapy equipment, and a good working knowledge of Quality Management Systems. Experience in leading and motivating a team is essential as well as a track record in staff training and teaching.

Main duties of the job

The main role of this post is to provide senior oversight to all aspects of the work of the Photon Physics team within the Radiotherapy Physics group. The main area of responsibility will be in the continuing development and maintaining of the brachytherapy service with day-to-day supervision of the staff developing competencies in the service. Close liaison with pre-treatment and treatment radiographers, as well as clinical oncologists is expected for the ongoing delivery of the Radiotherapy service. The post holder will act as, or work towards acting as, a Medical Physics Expert, as defined in IR(ME)R 2017. The postholder will also be expected to support the Principal Physicists for dosimetry and quality assurance, treatment planning, IGRT and scientific computing. The successful candidate will support the Group Lead in management of the photon physics team and deputise in their absence. The individual will act as a mentor for the team and take a lead role in service developments appropriate to their area of responsibility. Supporting the ongoing research strategy of the trust will be key with close liaison with UCL and other academic and industry partners.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women\'s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff. To find out more, visit the following links:
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Good First Degree in a Physical Science or equivalent
• State Registered Clinical Scientist or eligible
• In-depth knowledge of radiotherapy physics
• Knowledge of appropriate legislation, professional and regulatory body reports and guidelines
• RPA2000 Certification as a Medical Physics Expert or sufficient experience
• Relevant Masters or higher degree
• Corporate Membership of Professional Institute or eligible

Experience

• Extensive relevant postgraduate experience in Radiotherapy Physics
• Experience of brachytherapy treatments
• In-depth experience in Radiotherapy Dosimetry and Quality Assurance
• Experience of Image-Guided Radiotherapy Techniques
• Broad experience in the clinical environment
• In-depth experience in Treatment Planning
• Experience of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Planning and treatments
• Proven record of Research and Development
• Experience of Varian Equipment including ARIA

Skills and Abilities

• Experience and Knowledge of Quality Management systems
• Ability to organise own workload
• Experience of various software packages including MS OFFICE
• Experience with scripting using ESAPI or other applications
• Experience of project management
• Ability to organise large project team
• Able to concentrate frequently when subject to unpredictable working patterns

Personal and People Development

• To Participate in Continuing Professional Development and maintain state registration

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.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£72,921 to £83,362 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS