Research Sonographer

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Nhs Trust; Ledston; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated ultrasound professional to join the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre Imaging Centre. The role focuses on autonomous musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to support both research studies and NHS clinical activity.

You will acquire, interpret and report MSK ultrasound examinations, provide expert imaging advice to clinicians and researchers, and contribute to day‑to‑day Rheumatology Ultrasound Service operations within a world‑leading

Qualifications

• Experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging and reporting.
• Ability to support research studies with imaging data.
• Comfort with autonomous clinical activities in a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, autonomous musculoskeletal ultrasound service for research and NHS clinical activity.
• Independently perform, interpret and report musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations.
• Deliver expert diagnostic imaging and provide information to researchers and clinicians.
• Support Rheumatology Ultrasound Service planning and day-to-day delivery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the Trust and partner organisations.
• Contribute to research activity within the Leeds BRC Imaging Centre and ensure good practice standards.
• Participate in service development, quality improvement and audit activities.
• Support education, training and development of healthcare professionals and students.
• Develop advanced imaging skills, including elastography and 3D/4D ultrasound.

Skills

Musculoskeletal ultrasound

Ultrasound reporting

Autonomous practice

Research support

Tools

Advanced ultrasound equipment

Job description

Job reference: 002120
Salary: Band 7 - £49,387-£56,515
Closing date: 29/09/2026
Department: NIHR RRDN Core
Location: Chapel Allerton Hospital
Division: Directorate of Research & Innovation
Hours Per Week:15
For questions about this job, contact:
Name: Alexis Lavigne
Position: Business Manager
Email: [e-mail]
Shortlisting Date: 2nd October
Interview Date: 9th October

Job Summary
The post holder will work as an integral member of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (US) research team within the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), providing a high-quality, autonomous ultrasound service to support both research and clinical activity.
The role involves the acquisition, interpretation and reporting of musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations, communicating findings effectively to researchers and clinicians, and providing expert specialist advice on ultrasound imaging and its application within musculoskeletal research and patient care.
The post holder will contribute to the delivery and day‑to‑day organisation of the Rheumatology Ultrasound Service, ensuring high standards of imaging practice and patient‑centred care.
The role is based within the Leeds BRC Imaging Centre, a world‑leading research environment and the only NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in the UK dedicated to musculoskeletal research.
The post holder will support a broad portfolio of nationally and internationally recognised research studies, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Leeds and external partners.
The position requires responsibility for the independent management of a specialist caseload, operation of advanced ultrasound imaging equipment, provision of expert advice to clinicians and researchers, and ongoing development of specialist skills in emerging musculoskeletal imaging techniques to support the BRC’s research and innovation objectives.

Why you should join our Team
Joining the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Research Team offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of musculoskeletal imaging, research and innovation.
As an integral member of the team, you will deliver a highly specialised ultrasound service that directly supports both world‑leading research studies and high‑quality patient care.
Based within the Leeds BRC Imaging Centre—the UK's only NIHR Biomedical Research Centre dedicated to musculoskeletal research—you will have the chance to work alongside internationally recognised clinicians, researchers and academic partners from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Leeds and collaborating organisations across the UK and beyond.
This provides an exceptional environment for professional development, knowledge sharing and multidisciplinary working.
The role offers a high level of autonomy and responsibility, including the independent acquisition, interpretation and reporting of musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations, management of a specialist caseload, and provision of expert imaging advice to clinical and research teams.
You will play a key role in shaping and supporting innovative research that aims to improve the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, ultimately making a meaningful difference to patient outcomes.

What you will bring to the role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Imaging Centre and the only NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in the UK dedicated to musculoskeletal research.

• Provide a high-quality, autonomous musculoskeletal ultrasound service supporting both innovative research studies and NHS clinical activity.
• Work within a nationally and internationally recognised musculoskeletal research programme, contributing to studies that have the potential to influence future patient care and clinical practice.
• Independently perform, interpret and report musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations, delivering expert diagnostic imaging to researchers and clinicians.
• Act as a specialist source of advice and expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound, supporting both research delivery and patient care pathways.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Leeds and external partner organisations.
• Support the planning and day‑to‑day delivery of the Rheumatology Ultrasound Service, helping to ensure efficient and patient‑centred services.
• Contribute to the delivery of research activity within the Leeds BRC Imaging Centre, ensuring imaging is performed to high research, regulatory and Good Clinical Practice standards.
• Participate in service development, quality improvement and audit activities to enhance ultrasound services and research capability.
• Support the education, training and development of healthcare professionals, researchers and students through the sharing of specialist knowledge and expertise.
• Develop advanced skills in emerging musculoskeletal imaging techniques, including elastography, 3D/4D ultrasound and other innovative imaging approaches.

About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
Our Trust values
The Leeds Way is working together to support each other and deliver the best possible care to patients.
We are….
Responsible
Open and Honest
One Team
Kind
Our Trust priorities
Our purpose: Excellent, safe and sustainable care for every patient every time
Our priorities:
People
Improvement and Innovation
Partnerships
Outcomes

To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.