University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Clinical Scientist in Imaging and Nuclear Medicine

The closing date is 24 November 2026
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Job summary
Provide clinical scientific and radiation protection services in support of uses of ionising radiation
Support the diagnostic and therapeutic Nuclear Medicine service include PET/CT
Act as a Radiation Protection Supervisor for specific areas within the remit of the Nuclear Medicine physics service (e.g. radionuclide therapies, External Waste Store)
Appointment at Band 6 within 6 months of attaining Clinical Scientist registration may be considered for those currently completing a training programme, with a modified job description.
Proposed Interview date - 9/12/26
***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.***

Main duties of the job
To support the Clinical and Radiation Physics service within Nuclear Medicine. This includes administering radioiodine therapies for both thyroid cancer and thyrotoxicosis and supporting administrations of other therapies such as Ra-223, SIRT, Lu177.
Undertake quality control tests on imaging equipment (i.e. gamma cameras and PET scanner) and other associated equipment to the relevant standards.
Involvement in teaching and training of a range of staff groups including to external customers such as FRCR and University of Plymouth.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care.
The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you into contact with the recruitment team.
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case.
We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date.
If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 10 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-LT-DB8353732
Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Level 6, University Hospitals Plymouth, Plymouth PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1. Specialist Duties / Appointed Expert
This section to contain details of appointed expert roles (e.g. MPE, RPA, RWA). Separate section for each such appointed expert role.
1.1. The post-holder will act as the RPS for specific areas within the remit of the Nuclear Medicine physics service (e.g. radionuclide therapies, External Waste Store)
1.2. The post-holder will be required to dispatch radioactive materials in such a way as to comply with the requirements for lawful transport of radioactive materials by road as advised by the Trust DGSA.
2. Other Clinical Scientific
This section to include responsibilities for other aspects of clinical scientific work in support of Imaging with Ionising Radiations
2.1. Support the Lead Physicist for the Quality Assurance programme for Nuclear Medicine equipment. This will include highly complex, patient critical equipment and involve high precision measurements
2.2. Support the Lead MPE for CT doses as part of hybrid imaging, including ensuring audit and establishment of CT LDRLs
2.3. Analyse results and provide reports and advice on findings to the relevant senior scientist and to the Trust and users on the safety and efficacy of the use of the equipment.
2.4. Investigate and resolve complex equipment problems. Liaise with suppliers regarding equipment breakdown and arrange for the maintenance and servicing of identified items of equipment.
2.5. Develop computational methods (including writing code) to support departmental scientific functions
2.6. Conduct complex processing of patient studies - as appropriate to specialism.
2.7. Assist with the local introduction of new national and international Codes of Practice and Guidelines in these fields.
2.8. Computer processing of complex, non-routine imaging studies.
2.9. Assist with the assay, dispensing and administration of radionuclide therapies.
2.10. Develop, validate and implement new test and analysis methodologies. Develop appropriate documentation and provide training as required.
2.11. Identify the need for new instrumentation or equipment for use in Clinical & Radiation Physics. Produce specifications for items of equipment, for purchase or construction in-house.
2.12. Act as an Operator and carry out practical tasks of medical exposures, under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017
2.13. Assist and provide support to the Trust appointed Advisers and Experts (RPA/RWA/MPE) in services to the Trust and other customers.
2.14. Planning the protection and radiation safety features required for new installations and medical procedures.
2.15. Audit of compliance with radiation protection legislation.
2.16. Risk assessment and management of risk.
2.17. Assist in implementing legislation in radiation protection across the Trust. The post holder is required to be up to date with current legal requirements.
For further information please see attached job description and person specification

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject [e.g. Physics]
MSc in a relevant subject [e.g. Radiation Physics]
HCPC Registration as Clinical Scientist
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
Specialist proven theoretical and practical expert knowledge of the field of radiation protection in Medicine
Specialist proven knowledge of all areas of radiation protection legislation in healthcare and biomedical research
Extensive proven knowledge and demonstrable experience of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of state of the art Medical imaging equipment.
Extensive demonstrable experience in interpreting different situations and judging measures required to ensure compliance in areas that relate to the relevant legislation and guidance.
Highly specialised proven understanding of patient and staff risks arising from radiation exposure, managing radiation incidents, clinical issues and dosimetry
Able to use specific complex software as required [e.g. image processing software].
Desirable
Record of Scientific publications in relevant peer reviewed journals
Advanced proven knowledge of coding in relevant computational languages
Demonstrable experience with accredited quality management systems
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
Excellent communication skills and proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels
Excellent organisation skills; able to prioritise and manage own work
Able to exercise own initiative when dealing with common issues within own specialist area of competence
Able to work accurately and quickly, applying scientific methods to resolve complex problems
Able to concentrate on complex problems when frequently subjected to unpredictable working patterns
Desirable
Willingness to train and develop further skills

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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Hospital, Level 6, University Hospitals Plymouth, Plymouth PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Consultant Physicist, Katharine Thomson, katharine.thomson1@nhs.net, 01752431246

Supporting documents
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