Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Principal Physicist Radiation Protection

The closing date is 25 November 2026

Job summary
Our Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) is seeking a Principal Physicist to lead and innovate in radiation protection and diagnostic radiology. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of medical physics, shaping services that impact patient safety and clinical excellence across the NHS and beyond.

You'll lead complex investigations, advise on compliance with IRR17 and IR(ME)R17, and support the design and safety of new facilities. Your expertise will help shape radiation safety standards across hospitals, private healthcare, and industry.

We are currently able to offer a one off recruitment and retention payment to successful applicants who fulfil the job specification

Not quite there yet? We are keen to hear from anyone close to meeting the job specification and can appoint to a temporary development position whilst supporting you in getting over the line.

Get in touch if you wanted to know more. Ready to Make a Difference?

Main duties of the job
The Regional Radiation Protection Service (RRPS) provides comprehensive radiation protection, diagnostic radiology physics and X-ray engineering services out of the Royal Surrey County Hospital area mainly to the south and south west of the country, but also works nationally and internationally. Services include the statutory provision of Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA), Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in Diagnostic Radiology, Laser Protection Advisers (LPA), Radioactive Waste Advisers (RWA) and MR Safety Experts. We have a team of 11 clinical scientists, 11 medical physics technical officers, a computer scientist and 3 admin staff, plus postgraduate trainees and undergraduate students. The RRPS also provides advice and services to users of non-ionising radiations including MRI, lasers, radiofrequency, ultraviolet and microwaves. The Service provides NHSBSP mammography services for the South East (East) region. The RRPS is active in income generation outside the NHS and provides a wide range of radiation protection advice and services to a variety of employers including corporate organisations, companies, private hospitals, dentists, vets and others. The service is active in research, development and training, including organising courses both locally and at a national level.

Driving license and accessibility to a car are required for this role.

About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £59,798 to £67,020 a year (per annum) including High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 384-AGB-EMF20394-B8a-D

Job description

• To be a Principal Physicist (clinical scientist) and a senior member of the Regional Radiation Protection (RRPS) team, working with other team members in the provision of a comprehensive radiation protection and radiological physics service to the NHS and outside bodies.
• To act as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 [IR(ME)R2017].
• To participate in all areas of work, and to take on responsibility for key aspects of the service.
• Act as an MPE (diagnostic radiology) for diagnostic radiology clients across the NHS and private sector, liaising with clinicians, radiologists, radiographers and other healthcare professionals on patient protection and the optimisation of dose and image quality.
• Lead a key area of scientific work within the team, investigating, measuring, analysing and reporting on complex radiation safety, dose and image quality performance issues across diagnostic X-ray installations.
• Act as a trainee RPA under IRR17 to NHS Trusts and independent healthcare providers served by the RRPS, with the aim of securing certification as an RPA.
• Provide expert advice on highly complex radiation protection matters, including facility design and shielding, equipment specification, radiation protection systems, risk assessments, training, equipment testing, patient dose measurement and incident investigation.
• Calculate dose and risk in the event of unnecessary, inadvertent or accidental exposures, including radiation exposures of the unborn child, and advise hospital consultants and General Practitioners where appropriate.
• Provide expertise in major radiation incidents, including those handled under the National Arrangements for Incidents involving Radiation (NAIR) scheme.
• Assist the Head of the RRPS in managing diagnostic radiology physics and radiation protection services, and help ensure the obligations, targets and budget of the RRPS are met.
• Promote the Service's income-generating activities in the NHS and private sectors through services, networking and liaison with existing and potential customers.
• Supervise and train RRPS trainees, including MSc and other R&D projects, and develop and deliver training courses and tutorials at local, regional and national level.
• Maintain State Registration as a Clinical Scientist, maintain Medical Physics Expert status, and work towards Radiation Protection Adviser certification through a portfolio of evidence.
• Present papers at scientific meetings and publish in peer-refereed journals.
• Drive local and long-distance journeys to clients and premises served by the RRPS, and be on-call for radiation emergencies under the Trust Emergency Plan and NAIR.

Person specification
Qualifications (Essential): Good honours degree in a relevant subject; MSc or PhD in radiation protection, medical physics [or equivalent]; Corporate Membership of IPEM [or equivalent]; Medical Physics Expert in Diagnostic Radiology (certified by RPA2000); State Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC; Driving license with access to a car.
Qualifications (Desirable): Management qualification
Knowledge and experience (Essential): Knowledge of ionising radiation nature, use, risks and protection; knowledge of legislation, approved codes and good guidance; specialist knowledge of X-ray imaging performance and safety testing; experience in medical physics and radiation protection; awareness of relevant legislation, national standards and guidelines.
Knowledge and experience (Desirable): Knowledge of ultrasound and non-ionising radiations including magnetic, electric fields, ultraviolet, infrared, microwaves and lasers.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.