Principal Clinical Scientist – Radiation Safety and Imaging Physics in Suffolk

We are looking for someone to help lead and shape the future of the Radiation Safety and Imaging Physics team at ESNEFT as a Principal Clinical Scientist and Deputy Head. You will join the friendly team of physicists and technologists in providing radiation protection and diagnostic radiology physics services to Radiology, Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine, PET-CT and Radiopharmacy in one of the largest NHS organisations in England, working across Colchester Hospital, Ipswich Hospital and multiple community sites.

Ideally, you will be a Certified MPE in DR and Certified RPA, however consideration at a Band 8a developmental will be given if you are working towards these and have significant post registration and leadership experience. You will participate in all aspects of the scientific support we provide to the Trust and our external customers in ionising and non-ionising radiation areas. You will take a key role in providing specialist training and supporting development of your staff and stakeholders. You will work with other RPAs, MPEs, RWAs and other healthcare professionals to provide expert scientific advice to a range of stakeholders.

Main duties of the job:

• Advise the Trust on regulatory compliance in relation to radiation safety.
• Provide scientific and technical expertise to consultant medical staff and other healthcare professionals in relation to radiation safety and the physics of ionising and non-ionising radiation.
• Fulfil the role of Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) as described in regulation 14 of the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017.
• Fulfil the role of Medical Physics Expert (MPE) for diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology as described in regulation 14 of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R17).
• Provide advice on radioactive waste management, environmental radiation protection and the transport of radioactive substances.
• Advise on regulatory compliance in relation to the use of lasers and non-ionising radiation.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and development of the Radiation Safety and Imaging Physics section.
• Initiate and undertake research and development activity.
• Provide support for training and personal development of trainees, under-graduate and post-graduate students and appropriately qualified scientific and technical staff working in radiation safety and imaging physics.
• Deputise for the Head of Radiation Safety & Imaging Physics as required.

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Details:

• Date posted: 13 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 432-HR665-26
• Job locations: Colchester and Ipswich, CO4 5JL, United Kingdom

Person Specification:

• Qualifications and Registration:
• Essential: Masters degree in an area of Medical Physics or equivalent level of specialist knowledge.
• Membership of relevant professional body.
• State registered Clinical Scientist.
• Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Medical Physics Experts (MPE).
• Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Certificate of Core Competence to act as Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) under IRR17.
• Desirable: PhD.
• Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Certificate of Core Competence to act as Radioactive Waste Advisor (RWA).
• Inclusion on RPA2000 list of Specialist Certificate of Competence to act as Laser Protection Advisor (LPA).
• Knowledge and Experience:
• Essential: Highly developed specialist knowledge across the full range of working procedures and practices in the field of radiation safety and imaging physics, building on theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• Sufficient knowledge and experience to act as Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R17 within the field of diagnostic radiology.
• Ability to act as Operator under IR(ME)R17.
• Sufficient knowledge and experience to maintain Certificates of Core Competence to act as RPA.
• Highly developed specialist knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and radiological safety of state-of-the-art x-ray imaging equipment.
• Specialised knowledge of wider clinical issues and their implications in Diagnostic Imaging.
• High level of understanding of patient and staff risks associated with ionising and non-ionising radiation.
• Knowledge of employment procedures and practices to a level appropriate for supervising individuals or small groups of staff.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own work.
• Ability to exercise initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence.
• In depth knowledge and understanding of all relevant legislation, standards, guidelines and safety principles relating to the use of ionising and non-ionising radiation in a healthcare setting.
• Experience of provision of radiation safety advice to a range of staff groups within a range of clinical areas.
• Knowledge of Governance issues including ethical and regulatory considerations.
• Understanding of incident reporting pathways (internal and external) in the context of diagnostic imaging.
• Ability to design and implement clinical and service audits.
• Experience of supervising STP and/or Route 2 physics trainees.
• Experience of training a wide range of professionals in Radiation Safety.
• Ability to identify relevant areas for R&D focus.
• Desirable: Experience in managing a Radiation Safety Service or Imaging Physics team.
• Experience in managing departmental budgets.
• Understanding of leadership qualities in a healthcare setting.
• Detailed knowledge of risk management systems.
• Experience of setting up and supervising research projects.
• Sufficient knowledge and experience to maintain Certificates of Core Competence to act as RWA.
• Sufficient knowledge and experience to maintain Certificates of Core Competence to act as LPA.
• Highly developed specialist knowledge of the techniques employed to measure the performance and safety of non-ionising equipment such as medical lasers, ultrasound and ultraviolet.

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.

Employer details:

• Employer name: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• Address: Colchester and Ipswich, CO4 5JL, United Kingdom