Chief Scientist and Head of Clinical Sciences
The closing date is 05 April 2026
We are delighted to announce a rare and exciting opportunity to join our dynamic Clinical Sciences Directorate as the Chief Scientist and the Head of Clinical Services. This pivotal leadership role is available due to the well-earned retirement of the existing post holder.
The Chief Scientist is the professional lead for our 1,200 Healthcare Science (HCS) colleagues who work across 40 scientific specialisms. As the professional lead, you will drive forward the Healthcare Science Strategy for the organisation working with an established Healthcare Science Board, supported by the Care Group and the Medical Directors office. You will also represent our HCS at a senior level and support the advancement of science for patient benefit and the development of the scientific workforce.
The Clinical Sciences Directorate is part of the Specialist Clinical Services Care Group where you'll collaborate with expert teams. Our Care Group is renowned for its breadth of services and the vital role we play in supporting clinical excellence throughout NUH, bringing new challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
If you're interested in learning more about this rewarding role, we would be happy to have an informal conversation. Please contact Audrey Strong (Audrey.Strong1@nhs.net) to arrange this.
Main duties of the job
This role is to ensure we optimise the use of Science within NUH to address health challenges in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ultimately, to continually raise the game of health science and technology and in so doing, to use science-based intelligence for improved service planning and high-quality healthcare delivery.
The role has two core elements: 1) Chief Scientist and Professional Lead for the scientific workforce within NUH, and 2) Head of Clinical Services for the Clinical Sciences Directorate.
The purpose of the role is to provide strategic, scientific advice of the highest level to NUH, to improve the delivery of high-quality care and provide strong leadership, strategic direction, and influence for Healthcare Science Diagnostic and Therapeutic services across the employing organisation. The post-holder will also support the workforce and leadership development of healthcare scientists (HCS) Trust-wide.
DIRECTORATE HEAD OF CLINICAL SERVICES (CLINICAL SCIENCES)
As a key member of the Care Group leadership team you will contribute to the development and implementation of the vision and strategic priorities to deliver efficient services and effective patient care at Directorate level.
The Directorate Head of Clinical Services will have specific responsibilities and accountabilities across their Directorate for delivery of clinical and operational leadership.
Job responsibilities
LEADERSHIP
Create a compelling vision and strategy for the future of the Directorate and the Healthcare Scientist profession within the Trust working in partnership.
Lead the HCS Board and ensure HCS are represented and linked effectively with the Regional Chief Scientists.
Work closely with the professional leads across NUH.
Ensure clinical leadership and professional responsibility for the clinical workforce in the Directorate.
Pro‑actively apply integrated management and clinical knowledge to lead the decision‑making process for your services.
Foster a climate of innovation and improvement for all services in the Directorate.
Provide credible, quality professional leadership to staff in the Directorate, and across the Trust and act as an effective role model.
Promote the excellence agenda by demonstrating personal commitment to CPD and quality improvement.
Provide mentorship, advice and support to senior members of the team / Healthcare Scientist teams in the Trust.
Ensure that staff in the services are clear about what is expected for success and working together to achieve the Trust’s vision.
Lead the development and implementation of local and Trust‑wide policies within the Directorate.
Take an active role in ICs, regional and national professional and clinical specialty forums, leading on clinical quality initiatives and acting as a representative for the Profession, Services, Trust and any relevant Network.
Provide effective, visible, inspirational leadership and professional guidance for Healthcare Scientists.
Lead the development of any Trust‑wide policies for the Healthcare Scientists.
SERVICE DELIVERY
Working with the Directorate Leadership Team, lead the development of service strategies and annual plans for the Directorate.
Review and revise existing practices as necessary ensuring progressive solutions.
Work with Community, Social Care and Academic partners to ensure that delivery plans support the wider agenda.
Provide direction to managers in the Directorate Team to continually review roles and responsibilities ensuring service quality and efficient use of resources.
Work with the Directorate Leadership Team to lead the development of business cases and/or options appraisals that clearly set out the justification for securing additional resources.
Manage the implementation of approved proposals to ensure delivery of agreed benefits.
Ensure clear processes to involve staff and patients in service development, to support service excellence.
FINANCE
With the Directorate Leadership Team be accountable for developing robust finance models that deliver the Care Group’s and Trust’s requirements with regards to managing services within budgets, overseeing income opportunities, development of cost improvement plans.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Have in place robust performance management systems to pro‑actively ensure that the component services within the Directorate meet their business and financial objectives. Enhance the performance and capability of others through formal and informal interactions.
Motivate staff to higher levels of performance by increasing their commitment to the Trust’s objectives.
Work with the Care Group Leadership Team to agree clearly defined performance objectives / Key Performance Indicators for your services.
Provide clinical leadership, input and oversight to achieve and sustain all constitutional waiting time targets and patient standards.
HEALTHCARE STANDARDS
Ensure the service meets or exceeds national health care standards including CQC and Cancer Waiting Times standards as appropriate to the service.
Ensure the services meet appropriate national and international standards for Scientific Services.
Ensure regular reviews of standards of care take place where appropriate; best practice is adopted to support the Trust’s objective to become a Centre of Excellence.
Ensure the services achieve and maintain registration against appropriate quality standards (e.g. ISO9001, UKAS).
Provide support for responses and action on clinical issues.
GOVERNANCE AND RISK
Promote systems for clinical quality and safety improvement within the Directorate and across Healthcare Science to include, where appropriate, benchmarking across other organisations and against clinical guidelines.
Oversee and seek assurance on the governance arrangements for the Directorate alongside Care Group and corporate Safety Team colleagues ensuring that regulatory targets and compliance with clinical quality risk and governance standards are met.
Ensure the service supports the Trust in the management of risks associated with the safe use of ionising and non‑ionising radiation, radioactive materials, medical devices and medical device infrastructure, including the governance arrangement for Research & Innovation (R&I).
Promote a culture where governance and risk management are seen to be everyone’s responsibility.
Ensure that services are externally accredited to meet appropriate standards (e.g. JAG, UKAS, ISO9001, ISO13485).
COMMUNICATION
Ensure effective communication arrangements exist within the services that link to the Care Group arrangements.
Build mutually beneficial alliances and networks at senior levels within and outside the Care Group, Trust and wider healthcare community to ensure that services work together to benefit patients and the Trust.
Be pro‑active in promoting the Trust’s vision to deliver outstanding health outcomes and patient and staff experience, supporting staff forums and discussions.
Ensure that good practice is rapidly shared at all levels within the service.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Accountable for clinical workforce planning for the Directorate.
With the Directorate Leadership Team, jointly line manage senior members of the team and support recruitment of staff with the right clinical competency to meet service needs.
Ensure that professional leadership is provided for staff including support for welfare and knowledge within roles.
Provide direction and support to senior HCS across the Care Groups, ensuring they are supported to lead, motivate and develop staff and that students are provided with clinical supervision as required by the National School for Healthcare Science, professional bodies and Universities.
Promote a culture where staff feel empowered and accountable for service improvement at a local level.
Accountable for appropriate registration of all Healthcare Scientists within the organisation and for processes that ensure the timely completion of appraisal and CPD.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Ensure the service is accredited to provide work placements for Scientist and Practitioner Training Programmes, provides a high-quality training experience and that trainers are adequately mentored and supported.
Manage the HCS Practice Educator and support post holder to build a robust Trust side HCS TNA.
Work with the practice educator and the HCS Board to develop innovative HCS training packages for HCS at all levels.
Ensure that opportunities for talent to be developed are provided to ensure the service continues to develop.
Provide constructive feedback, support and resources to enable teams to develop and increase skills and abilities.
Prioritise own time to be available to coach and mentor other members of the Directorate and senior HCS across the organisation.
Ensure suitable supervision processes are in place with regular evaluation to support them.
Where appropriate, ensure staff who have any responsibility in relation to major incidents are clear about their roles and receive appropriate training.
RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND AUDIT
Foster a proactive research portfolio for Healthcare Scientists across the organisation and take line management responsibility for the HCS Clinical Academic leads.
Oversee the development and implementation of the R&I Strategy for Healthcare Science.
Initiate and direct R&I programmes including original and translational research, monitoring research quality.
Direct and plan the introduction, evaluation and application of improved scientific and operational procedures to continually develop the service.
Evaluate published research and innovation and make recommendations for future service provision.
Stimulate innovation and appropriate research initiatives within the service and a wider multidisciplinary field, developing evidence bases and encouraging staff participation in research.
Initiate and develop appropriate academic and research networks.
Ensure compliance with ethical and financial research governance requirements for the services.
Ensure research findings are disseminated appropriately through peer‑reviewed journals, national and international meetings.
Establish a clear system of audit in line with the Trust requirements and review audit results with relevant team members.
Develop audit tools and clinical guidelines to underpin practice in collaboration with other partners in the Care Group Team, overseeing protocols and implementation.
Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of service provision in the clinical area.
OTHER DUTIES
Contribute to discussions/forums etc. affecting the Care Group, as appropriate.
Provide specialist knowledge as required for Care Group/Trust wide debates.
Represent the service and/or the Care Group at Trust/wider Health Community meetings, as appropriate.
Be a member of Trust‑wide Groups, as appropriate.
Person Specification
Training Qualifications
* HCPC registration
* MSc in Clinical Science
* DClinSci/PhD or equivalent academic experience
* Recognised Leadership / Management qualification
Experience
* An in‑depth knowledge and understanding of NHS policy and national agenda
* Significant experience leading and managing services
Communication
* Leadership skills demonstrating ability to work in partnership
* Ability to lead large groups to shape and implement change
Analytical and Judgement Skills
* Ability to identify and evaluate options for complex service issues
Planning and Organisation Skills
* Operate strategically translating strategy into practice
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.
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