Job summary
- Main area
- Healthcare Science and Technology / Clinical Measurement and Innovation
- Grade
- 8d
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 216-PL-DB7880955
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Town
- PLYMOUTH
- Salary
- £91,342 - £105,337 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/04/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 21/05/2026
Employer heading
Head of MR, US and NIR Physics and Scientific Computing
8d
Job overview
Applications are invited for this new exciting leadership opportunity at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.
MR, US and NIR Physics and Scientific Computing has a diverse workforce of Clinical Scientists (Medical Physicists), Allied Health Professionals (Radiographers) and administrative staff and provides expert scientific advice, support and development for users of non-ionising radiation technologies and scientific computing services. With a workforce of approximately 12 colleagues working closely with clinicians and allied health professionals across multiple specialties, including Imaging, Neuroscience and neurosurgery, Foetal and Neonatal, Breast, Ophthalmology and Dermatology specialities as well as corporate colleagues such as within Digital and Innovation. There is also opportunity to grow research and innovation with close links to the University of Plymouth and the Brain Research and Imaging Centre (BRIC).
MR, US and NIR Physics and Scientific Computing is part of the Healthcare Science & Technology service line which provides a range of clinical, scientific and technical services relating to medical physics, clinical engineering, bone densitometry and sterile services both within the Trust and across the local health economy. There are opportunities to participate in an active healthcare science network across the Trust and for collaborative work across the peninsula.
The selection process will involve a presentation, stakeholder event and formal interview.
Main duties of the job
The main purpose of this post is to lead the Magnetic Resonance (MR), Ultrasound (US) and Non-ionising Radiation (NIR) Physics and Scientific Computing group at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHPT) and to other services we support.
The postholder leads the Healthcare Science and Technology (HCST) Directorate’s MR, US and NIR Physics and Scientific Computing services and leads in the provision and development of highly specialised clinical, scientific and technical services in a range of areas of MR, NIR Physics and Scientific Computing, across the Trust and to other healthcare organisations. Clinical service, research and teaching activities are carried out within a quality management system framework (ISO 9001:2015). The post holder leads MRI, ultrasound (US), ultraviolet (UV) and visible light measurement, quality assurance and calibration services and acts as the Trust principal professional expert in these areas, including as MR Safety Expert (MRSE). The post holder manages both internal services and external contracts which involve MR, NIR and US physics services and safety support, the testing and calibration of UV and light meters, and ensures quality assurance and test measurements on phototherapy treatment cabins and other light sources is carried out.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will lead in the co-ordination for the provision of similar services and overall scientific and technical support to all the Trust’s US equipment. This includes a significant involvement in leading equipment management, including device specification, coordination of trust wide procurements, commissioning of new and novel devices and ongoing performance monitoring across multiple clinical areas for both clinical services and research. The Magnetic Resonance and NIR Physics service provides a range of specialist clinical technical services and provides highly specialised expertise to the Trust and external organisations. The Section ensures that MRI, US equipment and non-ionising radiation sources procured by the Trust are cost-effective and meet current and future clinical requirements, and that installations are designed to minimise electromagnetic interference and maximise safety. The Section carries out acceptance and quality assurance testing to national and international standards and works with clinical colleagues to ensure new and novel developments are implemented to improve patient care and imaging protocols are optimised to meet the needs of specific patients and groups. An integral part of the role is to undertake scientific research and development to support the objectives of the Trust, in collaboration with partners in UHPT and other organisations. This will include securing funding for research from NHS, research council, charitable and industrial sources. The post involves liaison with a wide range of staff and students across the Trust and University of Plymouth and other academic, training and business establishments.
The post also provides significant input to education and training of medical physicists, engineers, radiographers and other clinical professional staff at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Please see full job description attached
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- • Extensive demonstrable experience in Non-Ionising Radiation Physics within clinical setting
- • Extensive demonstrable experience operating as an MR Safety Expert (MRSE) and / or Laser Protection Advisor (LPA) within a large teaching hospital or equivalent
- • Specialist proven knowledge of all areas of non-ionising radiation legislation and guidelines in healthcare and biomedical research
- • Specialist proven knowledge and extensive demonstrable experience in the use of specialist testing equipment employed to measure the safety and performance of state of the art MR, US and non-ionising equipment
- • Advanced proven knowledge of clinical patient applications, techniques and machine parameters and technology in MR, US and non-ionising modalities
- • Proven knowledge and demonstrable practical experience of safe working practices with non-ionising radiation technologies
- • Extensive demonstrable experience in interpreting different situations and judging measures required to ensure compliance in areas that relate to the relevant legislation, standards and guidance
- • Proven highly specialised knowledge of clinical issues and their implications for patient dosimetry and safety regarding non-ionising radiations
- • Proven broad advanced knowledge of other areas of Medical Physics, including radiotherapy
- • Demonstrable experience of leading a multidisciplinary team with demonstrable experience in the management of scientific and technical staff
- • Proven broad advanced knowledge of Medical Imaging working practices
- • proven knowledge of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and their processes
- • Well developed IT skills including the use of bespoke applications and office based software
Desirable criteria
- • Demonstrable experience of managing and conducting research and innovation projects
- • Author / contributor to peer reviewed publications
- • Proven knowledge and experience in programming languages and software development, including software lifecycle
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist
- • Postgraduate MSc degree in a healthcare Science / Medical Physics or related subject.
- • ABMRS / IPEM certification as an MR Safety Expert and / or currently listed as an LPA with RPA2000
Desirable criteria
- • PhD
- • Management / Leadership qualification / MBA or equivalent demonstrable experience
- • Listed on the AHCS HSSR
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
- Effective influencing and negotiating skills: in general and with senior health care professionals
- Ability to present written information in a concise format.
- Ability to understand, interpret and present complex data
- Good analytical and reasoning skills
- Good IT skills
- Ability to interpret corporate strategic objectives within Service Line’s setting
- Ability to understand and drive service redesign
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Organisational skills
Disposition, attitude & Motivation
Essential criteria
- Ability to quickly gain the confidence of others including clinicians, managers, staff and users of services
- Inspires others and leads by example
- Ability to work with lead and develop large and complex teams
- Able to work well in a busy environment
- Self-motivated
- Initiative & ability to work with minimum supervision.
- Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour
- Able to facilitate change and make things happen
Desirable criteria
- Ability to employ stress management strategies to help themselves and others
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Professor Peter Wright
- Job title
- Clinical Director for Healthcare Scientists
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 431935
- Additional information
Professor Peter Wright, telephone 01752 431935, email [email protected]
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