Radiopharmacy Head of Quality/Quality Controller

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Cambridge seeks a Radiopharmacy Head of Quality to oversee quality management systems and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in QA/QC within a pharmacy environment. This role offers the chance to lead a dynamic team and contribute to the advancement of radiopharmaceutical services. Competitive benefits and professional development opportunities included.

Benefits

Development opportunities

On-site leisure facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven experience in GMP and radiopharmaceutical production.
• Eligible as Qualified Person (QP(IMP)) under the Medicines Act.
• Formal Management Qualifications are required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with pharmaceutical quality systems.
• Lead the Quality Management System for Radiopharmacy.
• Strategic development and operational implementation.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Regulatory Compliance

Team Collaboration

Problem Solving

Education

Masters level Pharmacy degree (MPharm)

Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council

Tools

Q-Pulse

Aseptic techniques

Job description

Overview

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for the position of Radiopharmacy Head of Quality / Quality Controller. The closing date for applications is 24 September 2025.

A rare and highly rewarding opportunity for an ambitious and experienced individual to advance their career in Quality leadership and service development within the NHS. The Radiopharmacy department at CUH is looking to appoint an exceptional pharmacist, radiopharmaceutical scientist, chemist or scientist to take on the pivotal role of Head of Quality / Quality Controller within our dynamic and forward-thinking team.

This role is ideal for a professional with a strong foundation in hospital pharmacy aseptic services or pharmaceutical industry GMP manufacturing, combined with proven expertise in Quality Management Systems and regulatory compliance. As a key member of the Radiopharmacy Senior Leadership Team and reporting directly to the Chief Radiopharmacist, you will be responsible for ensuring the highest professional, clinical and technical standards across all quality functions. You will lead the strategic development and operational implementation of the Radiopharmacy QMS, ensuring that our service remains compliant, efficient and aligned with best practice.

Main duties of the job

The Radiopharmacy Head of Quality (Quality Assurance / Quality Control) will be directly accountable to the Chief Radiopharmacist / Head of Radiopharmacy for maintaining professional and clinical / technical standards within their area of responsibility and progressing the overarching Radiopharmacy strategy.

They will work closely with the Radiopharmacy Clinical Trials Lead Pharmacist, Radiopharmacy Operations, Quality, Technical and Clinical Leadership Team to maximise the benefits of working within the sites, to provide a cohesive Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmaceuticals optimisation service for patients, the Trust and Partners.

Provides strategic direction, leadership and the development of Pharmaceutical QA and QC Services to the Radiopharmacy services, to meet local, regional, and nationally agreed requirements and priorities.

Provides assurance to senior management of ongoing and future regulatory compliance status of the activities covered by the role and escalates compliance concerns to Chief Radiopharmacist / Head of Radiopharmacy and senior management.

Performs the role of Qualified Person / Quality Controller for all current and any future licensable activities within the Radiopharmacy as required by the Medicines Act and MHRA.

Leads a robust Quality Management System across all areas of Radiopharmacy Technical services ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and safe systems of work.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds, the Trust focuses on delivering a quality service for patients, staff and partners. CUH has been recognised for outstanding care and is rated Good overall by the Care Quality Commission. CUH's values — Together, Safe, Kind, Excellent — are at the heart of patient care. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for local people and specialist services for regional, national and international needs.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We value differences and advocate an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and characteristics.

Job responsibilities

You will work in close partnership with the Chief Radiopharmacist and collaboratively with our Operations, Technical, Clinical and Quality teams to ensure a consistent and robust QA / QC framework underpins the safe and effective delivery of radiopharmaceuticals to patients across CUH and partner sites. Your leadership will be central to ensuring product integrity, GMP compliance and inspection readiness, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and safety.

For candidates who demonstrate the necessary technical acumen and leadership potential, we offer structured training and development to support further career progression in Radiopharmacy and quality-focused service leadership. This role is ideally suited to those with a strong commitment to quality assurance, a deep understanding of aseptic production environments, and a desire to influence patient care at a strategic level.

At CUH, we are proud of our culture of innovation and excellence. You will join a highly skilled, collaborative and motivated team of professionals dedicated to delivering an outstanding, patient-focused service. You will also be part of an established academic partnership with the University of Cambridge, contributing to translational research projects that are shaping the future of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. One collaborative study has been selected for a top-rated presentation at the 2025 European Association of Nuclear Medicine Annual Congress, with further manuscripts in development.

Our department specialises in the preparation of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, produced to the highest standards in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice and national regulatory requirements. We are actively investing in facilities, systems and training to ensure our services remain responsive to the evolving demands of regulatory frameworks and clinical pathways. We champion professional growth, support innovation in practice, and are committed to developing the next generation of Radiopharmacy leaders.

We welcome applications from both NHS and non-NHS professionals who have the vision, expertise and leadership ability to deliver excellence in Quality within a modern Radiopharmacy service. If you are ready to take the next step in your career and lead quality at the forefront of nuclear medicine, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have: applied for a Graduate visa or will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment, or the Trust has agreed to sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment. For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over others.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 24 September 2025. Interviews are due to be held on 2 October 2025.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

Our values and reputation for outstanding care, opportunities to experience a range of specialties, and career and development opportunities. Preceptorship and mentoring, research experience, a lovely location and a high quality of life. Excellent schools, colleges and transport links.

Benefits to you

CUH offers development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. We provide bus travel support, Park and Ride arrangements, subsidised staff parking, 24/7 hot food options, and spaces for rest and recharge. CUH supports flexible working arrangements where possible to support work-life balance.

Please note if you would like to discuss required hours, you should contact the provided details. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Masters level Pharmacy degree (MPharm) or scientific equivalent (e.g., MSc or BSc; BPharm with post-graduate certificate or diploma in PTQA or other relevant qualification)
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Biology, or other equivalent body
• Education and Training qualification
• Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Formal Management Qualifications
• Further qualifications in relevant technical or management area
• Eligible as Quality Controller for HTM 02 (piped medical gases)
• MSC/Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Eligible as Qualified Person (QP(IMP)) under the medicines act and EU Directive

Experience

• Substantial post-qualification GMP experience
• Postgraduate experience in radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing in a large licensed facility
• Experience in QC / QA departments, training and supervising staff
• Experience in delivering a pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Service and strategic direction
• Evidence of service changes/innovation and project management
• Validation and commissioning experience for new equipment/facilities
• Experience in education and training delivery and national presentations/publications
• Strategic influence at senior levels and budget awareness

Knowledge

• Validation requirements for radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical production facilities, equipment and processes
• GMP, aseptic/parenteral practices, COSHH, health and safety, radiopharmaceutical microbiology
• Regulatory frameworks and quality assurance administration, risk assessment and action on out-of-specification results
• IT systems knowledge and experience with Q-Pulse, Radiopharmacy systems, IBC software, Annex 1
• Knowledge of hospital Radiopharmacy/Pharmacy technical services and clean room design

Skills

• Leadership and management abilities; effective communication; staff development
• Ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and regulatory authorities
• Quality improvement and service development at operational level
• Problem solving, documentation, data handling, and complex calculations
• Project management, writing business cases, and handling budgets
• Training and lecturing abilities; presentations and public speaking
• Advanced IT skills and ability to work in various environments (lab, ward, operating theatre)
• Quality governance, risk management, and incident handling
• Familiarity with Radiopharmacy computer systems and regulatory reporting

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent

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.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust