Advanced Principal Physicist - Radioactive Substances

The closing date is 26 April 2026.

The Radiation Safety Service provides comprehensive protection for patients, staff and visitors exposed to both ionising and non-ionising radiation, delivering a wide range of activities including equipment checks, dosimetry, audits, training, and regulatory compliance. A major focus of the role is leadership and line management of the laser safety team and acting as the lead Laser Protection Adviser (LPA) across the Trust and external organisations. This includes overseeing laser safety governance, policy development, audit programmes, and compliance with legislation, as well as managing the maintenance and frontline technical support of clinical laser systems. The post holder also delivers advanced training, advises on procurement and implementation of new laser technologies, and co‑ordinates service delivery, research, and innovation to ensure safe, effective, and compliant use of lasers in complex clinical environments. Within the radiation safety team, the radiation monitor calibration laboratory is a core function; the post holder will be expected to act as the Trust's qualified expert under IRR2017. This role will have responsibility for managing the calibration service, maintaining specialised equipment and radioactive sources, supporting internal and external clients, and generating income through service provision and contracts.

Main duties of the job

• Provide advanced specialist advice on lasers and radiation measurement, interpreting complex or conflicting information.
• Analyse and apply scientific developments to improve clinical safety and service delivery.
• Provide expert support in radiation and laser incidents and emergencies.
• Manage the radiation calibration laboratory service, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and compliance with standards.
• Manage maintenance, servicing, and troubleshooting of clinical laser systems in patient environments.
• Responsible for provision (and supervise others to provide) first point service response to laser environments.
• Advise on procurement, specification, installation, and commissioning of laser and radiation measurement equipment.
• Lead and support radiation and laser safety audits, incident investigations, and decommissioning activities.
• Maintain calibration laboratory assets, including radioactive sources and specialised instrumentation.
• Provide support in incidents involving radioactive substances, including those handled under National Arrangements for Incidents involving Radioactivity (NAIR) or other emergency schemes.
• Liaise with external inspectors, under the direction of the section Head, with Regulatory bodies (principally the Environment Agency, the Metropolitan Police security adviser, and others as deemed appropriate).
• Deputise as appropriate for Physicists leading in different areas within the scope of practice agreed within RSRP, to ensure effective delivery of the service.

Managerial

• Plan and oversee laser protection and radiation calibration services across the Trust and external clients including effective record-keeping systems and documentation of work activities.
• Manage staff within radiation safety, including supervision of scientific and technical teams including for staff rotas and allocation of work.
• Plan and optimise service delivery, projects, and operational workflows with key stakeholders.
• Oversee implementation of audit programmes and reporting to governance committees (e.g. RSAC).
• Deputise for head of section when appropriate to ensure continuity of service.
• Manage external service contracts and client relationships.
• Lead financial and commercial activities including contracts, income generation, and cost improvement delivery.

Teaching, training and research

• Act as a design engineer in the development of new medical devices and technologies.
• Instigate and undertake research, development, and complex clinical audit projects.
• Deliver education and training in radiation and laser safety to clinical and academic audiences (up to MSc/MD/PhD level).
• Provide practical training to multidisciplinary staff (clinical, technical, and scientific).
• Train staff on internal and external courses.
• Supervise trainee clinical scientists in laser and radiation laboratory work.
• Co‑ordinate training placements and activities for trainees.
• Act as an examiner and contribute to academic teaching programmes.
• Present work at conferences, meetings, and seminars.
• Provide mentoring and support to junior staff and trainees.

Professional

• Fulfil the role of Laser Protection Adviser (LPA) and maintain accreditation.
• Act as the Qualified Person (QP) for radiation instrumentation services.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and safety documentation (e.g. local rules).
• Ensure compliance with quality systems, regulatory frameworks, and statutory requirements.
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and maintain professional registration.
• Keep up to date with scientific, technical, and regulatory developments.
• Contribute to professional groups and external bodies related to radiation protection.
• Liaise professionally with clinical teams, external organisations, and regulators.
• Uphold high standards of professional conduct and service delivery.

Person Specification

• Registrations/Qualifications: RPA 2000 Certificate of Competence to act as a Laser Protection Adviser, Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject, RPA 2000 Certificate of Competence to act as a Ionising Radiation Instrument Specialist (IRIS).
• Experience: Previous experience in running an ionising radiation calibration facility dealing with and providing expert advice to specialists on instruments and dosimeters used in a healthcare and academic research environment, previous extensive experience in laser safety and training staff in the safe use of lasers, previous experience in the negotiation of service level agreements for services and income generation activities.
• Skills and knowledge: Expert knowledge of laser protection across a wide scope of complex usage within a teaching hospital environment; able to use own judgement, skills and knowledge to advise clinicians and users on the safe use of laser equipment to achieve treatment outcomes; to provide expert advice to the Trust and other clients as the nominated Laser Protection Adviser (LPA); an expert understanding of clinical use of lasers and their safety issues in order to train staff, including medical staff in these areas; able to carry out laser safety training and audits of complex laser systems and their facilities; able to analyse and advise on complex tender documentation for client departments e.g. for replacement laser treatment systems; a significant level of knowledge of radioactive substances and their uses in the medical and academic environment; a high skill level and expertise in the calibration and use of radiation detection instruments and dosimeters used for safety monitoring of patients, staff and environments; an ability to diagnose, test and resolve technical laser issues; to be able to manage and provide a service to laser users that supports continuity of service delivery by client departments; good understanding of relevant legislation, national standards, professional and other guidelines, including: IRR, IR(ME)R, CDG(2009), ISO 9001, NPL Good Practice Guides.

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.

Address: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £75,328 to £86,114 a year per annum inc. HCA

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 196-LIS10403E

Job locations: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust