Diagnostic Radiology Physicist

The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a tertiary centre for cancer treatment and together with the Institute of Cancer Research forms the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe. The Department of Physics provides clinical services to the Trust and undertakes extensive basic and translational research.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and versatile physicist for this 12 month fixed term band 7 post in the Diagnostic Radiology Physics Group. The Group consists of seven scientists and is based at the Chelsea site, enjoying a pleasant working environment and good facilities. It provides medical physics expert and radiation protection services to The Royal Marsden and other Trusts.

The post holder will take part in all the group's activities in providing a diagnostic radiology physics clinical service to create the additional capacity required for the team to bring into service, fully utilise and optimise the new photon counting CT scanners that are being commissioned in 2026. Due to the 12-month term of this post and the time critical nature of bringing the new technology into routine clinical practice, it is essential that candidates can demonstrate that they are competent to provide this service with minimum training.

Main duties of the job

• Participate in the provision and development of the group's comprehensive diagnostic radiology physics including X ray equipment testing, patient dosimetry, and radiation protection.
• Assist the medical physics experts and radiation protection adviser in the group in the provision of their services.
• Participate in teaching, training, research and development.

Job responsibilities

• Participate in the provision, planning and development of the group's diagnostic radiology physics service. This includes performing periodic quality control testing of complex, patient critical X ray equipment located both within and outside the Trust. Quality control testing requires high precision measurements using sophisticated X ray measuring equipment; analysis of complex and inter dependent test data; preparation of reports in a well presented, timely manner using complex computer spreadsheets; interpretation of test results for radiology staff and X ray engineers; and making recommendations in order to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, national and local standards and agreed good practice.
• Accept into clinical use, perform a critical examination (to demonstrate compliance with the ionising radiation regulations (IRR and commission general patient critical X ray equipment, and to participate in the acceptance and commissioning of complex, patient critical X ray equipment such as multi slice CT and digital mammography. This involves liaison with equipment suppliers, installation X ray engineers, application specialists and radiology staff.
• Perform regular quality assurance testing of complex, patient critical X ray equipment, analyse results and formulate a scientific opinion regarding the performance of the unit and its suitability for clinical use.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications

• (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in physics or other related subject
• MSc in Medical Physics or equivalent
• Achieved, or close to achieving, HCPC registration as a clinical scientist
• PhD in physics related discipline

Experience

• Relevant and structured experience across the range of working procedures and practices in diagnostic radiology physics.
• Substantial experience of using PCs. Able to use WORD to create and manipulate documents and reports and EXCEL to develop custom spreadsheets with Macros for data analysis.
• Experience of using image acquisition and image reviewing workstations for image manipulation and analysis. Experience of using computers in a networked and PACS environment.
• Experience of photon counting CT testing and optimisation.

Skills Abilities/knowledge

• Good knowledge and understanding of working procedures and practices in diagnostic radiology physics and patient dosimetry.
• Knowledge of new diagnostic radiology techniques and technology.
• Analytical: able to grasp complex physical and medical ideas and issues quickly: to pick out key points from scientific and medical documents: to review the strengths and weaknesses of various options.
• Decision making: able to respond quickly and appropriately to questions and requests for information; to make appropriate decisions under time pressure.
• Scientific: able to carry out careful, methodical and appropriate scientific investigations, and to make a critical appraisal of results.
• Able to teach / supervise physicists, staff groups and students.
• Able to introduce and implement new ideas and working practices.

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.