Job Summary
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Radiotherapy Physics department as a Senior Radiotherapy Physicist (Band 8a) at North Middlesex Hospital, North London. The post is responsible for the safe delivery and development of Radiotherapy, acting as a Medical Physics Expert under IR(ME)R and providing expert advice to the Radiotherapy department and the Radiotherapy Physics team.
The department provides a full physics service to support radiotherapy treatment, including treatment planning, machine quality assurance and molecular radiotherapy. It comprises 10 clinical scientists, 6 dosimetrists and 6 engineering/technical staff. Equipment includes Varian TrueBeam, Halcyon Linacs, an XStrahl superficial unit, and Varian Eclipse for treatment planning. Ongoing projects include knowledge-based planning, AI auto-contouring, scripting and automation.
Main duties of the job
The senior physicist will ensure the safe delivery of the Radiotherapy Physics Service at North Middlesex University Hospital, supporting the Head of Service and other Medical Physics Experts (MPE) in their areas of responsibility. The role is autonomous and the post-holder is expected to work without supervision. MPE responsibility covers the safe delivery and development of the following areas: Treatment Planning; Quality Assurance; Molecular Radiotherapy.
About Us
North Mid is part of the North Central London integrated care system (ICS), working with NHS and Local Authority organisations across Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. We are developing shared decision-making and approaches within a system framework, while organisations remain standalone statutory bodies. We are committed to staff training to provide excellent clinical care and are a training unit for medical students from UCL and St Georges University Grenada, and for nursing and midwifery students from Middlesex and City Universities.
Details
Date posted: 22 January 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: 8a
Salary: £61,631 to £68,623 a year (Including HCAS)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Job locations
North Middlesex University Hospital, Sterling Way, London, N18 1QX
Job responsibilities
Clinical Scientific
* Treatment Planning
o Assist the Treatment Planning Lead Physicist and provide MPE advice to ensure safe service delivery.
o Produce routine and complex treatment plans for external beam radiotherapy using computerised planning systems; analyse requirements and make complex judgements on dose distributions and patient dose; take responsibility for accurate production of plans and dosimetry calculations.
o Advise clinical staff on effects of plan options on patient dose distributions; discuss and agree approaches to create optimum treatment plans and advise on treatment and patient setup as required.
o Check and approve routine and complex plans, dose calculations and templates produced by others.
o Re-plan treatments when required (e.g., after treatment error or changes in patient shape); determine and apply appropriate compensation methods and perform manual dose calculations.
* Quality Assurance
o Assist the Quality Control and Dosimetry Lead Physicist to ensure safe service delivery with MPE advice as needed.
o Develop the annual QA programme in liaison with maintenance contractors and radiotherapy engineers.
o Take responsibility for physics dosimetry and QA to established protocols; perform dosimetry measurements and QA on highly complex, patient-critical equipment.
o Revise protocols and dosimetry techniques; develop and revise workflows in line with national guidelines; ensure calibration of dosimetry equipment and radiotherapy machines is maintained.
* Molecular Radiotherapy
o Take responsibility for administration of radioisotopes for therapeutic use; explain procedures to patients and liaise with ward staff; assist with resolving problems during procedures.
o Ensure all equipment used for monitoring patients, environment and source activity maintains valid calibration.
o Ensure all procedures comply with radiation protection regulations, including waste and sealed sources management.
* General
o Provide support to physics computing in radiotherapy; write software to department requirements and adapt existing software; monitor and resolve computing system issues.
o Participate in acceptance testing and commissioning of new equipment as appropriate.
o Provide scientific and technical advice to radiotherapy consultants and other clinical staff regarding patient treatment.
o Develop clinical and scientific procedures and protocols under the Departments Quality System; participate in working parties to agree protocol changes affecting Pre-treatment and Treatment sections.
o Act as liaison for identified radiotherapy equipment; oversee work and provide physics direction; investigate and resolve complex problems on radiotherapy equipment.
o Act as a Medical Physics Expert in Radiotherapy Physics under IR(ME)R and operate under Trust policies and practices.
o Implement legislation in radiation protection; stay up to date with current legal requirements and recommend changes to practice.
Managerial and Teaching, Training and Research
* Prioritise and manage own work to meet outcomes; keep records; supervise junior staff; conduct regular 1-to-1 reviews.
* Provide practical training to physicists, medics and radiographers; assist with training other staff; supervise trainee clinical scientists; assess staff competencies.
* Present original work at meetings and conferences; participate in R&D projects and clinical audits; develop and improve equipment and techniques.
Professional
* Participate in an approved Continuing Professional Development scheme and maintain HCPC registration.
* Keep abreast of latest developments and their applications; attend seminars and courses to further the department’s work.
* Ensure activities conform to quality frameworks, statutory regulations, codes of practice and local safety rules.
Miscellaneous
* Ensure compliance with accredited Quality Systems; participate in development and operation of quality systems.
* Follow Health & Safety at Work Act and local rules; be flexible with working hours to meet department needs.
* When working in other departments, liaise with local heads of department and others; maintain professional service standards.
* Perform other duties as required by the Head of Service, Radiotherapy Physics.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Essential: 1st or 2nd class Honours degree in physical science or equivalent.
* Essential: Relevant Masters degree or equivalent; HCPC registered Clinical Scientist; Medical Physics Expert certificate (RPA2000) or able to achieve within 12 months of appointment.
* Desirable: Member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (or equivalent).
Skills and Abilities
* Essential: Ability to communicate complex technical material; organise own workload; strong interest in research and development; good interpersonal and negotiation skills.
* Desirable: Ability to develop software for data mining and data analysis (e.g., MATLAB); ability to lift medium/heavy weights for QA equipment.
Experience
* Essential: Several years of relevant experience in Radiotherapy Physics, Radiotherapy Dosimetry and QA, and Radiotherapy Treatment Planning; knowledge of IRR, IR(ME)R, BSI and ISO standards, and regulatory guidelines.
* Desirable: Relevant experience in radioisotope therapies; experience working with Varian hardware and software.
Personal Qualities and Values
* Essential: Ability to work as part of a team; initiative and responsibility; alignment with Trust values.
Other
Disclosures: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 and requires Disclosure to be submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service. See the UK Visas and Immigration guidance for sponsorship, criminal records checks for overseas applicants, and NHS registration. UK registration is required.
Employer: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer address: North Middlesex University Hospital, Sterling Way, London, N18 1QX
Employer website: https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/
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