Radiotherapy Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Scientist to undertake a 10 week long fellowship in the radiotherapy physics team. This fellowship is hosted in memory of our friend and colleague Andrew Nixon and will be focused on the completion of a service improvement project within our proton therapy physics group. The successful applicant will undertake a project which will develop a software tool to be used by treatment planning staff and clinical oncologists to compare a given proton therapy treatment plan with other, previous patients. This tool will then be commissioned for routine use by the proton therapy team to drive quality improvements for direct patient benefit. The successful applicant will be supervised and supported by experts in the field for the duration of the fellowship and will have the opportunity to gain hands on insight into the role of a Clinical Scientist, hone specialised technical skills, and gain invaluable clinical experience in a supportive, forward thinking environment. Professional registration is not a pre requisite for this role, and applications will be accepted from individuals with an appropriate degree and who possess a foundational understanding of radiotherapy.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will undertake a project entitled "The Andrew Nixon Fellowship: Doses in context" under the supervision of Clinical Scientists and Medical Physics Experts in the Proton Therapy Physics group. The successful applicant will develop a software solution to extract pertinent information from a given treatment plan and place it in the context of dose information from comparable plans. This information will then be presented to a user in an interactive form which will be developed by the successful applicant. Working closely with a multi disciplinary team in the Proton Therapy department, the successful applicant will actively test and refine this solution until it is ready to be commissioned for clinical use. Upon completion, the successful applicant will present their work in the form of a memorial lecture to an audience consisting of experts and interested lay people.

Job responsibilities

SPECIFIC DUTIES/JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. General

1.1. The post is intended to support the development of the research capabilities of radiotherapy physicists in the early stages of their career (i.e. within 10 years of graduating from first relevant degree). Therefore, the post holder is expected to be a recent graduate from a physical science or engineering course and/or to have recently completed the NHS Scientific Training Scheme.
1.2. The post holder may or may not be a state registered healthcare professional, but must still conduct themselves in line with the HCPC professional standards expected of state registered healthcare scientists in a clinical environment.
1.3. Work undertaken should also be compliant with current UK legislation for work with ionising radiation (IRR 2017, IRMER 2017) and the Trusts ISO 9001:2015 compliant Quality Management System for the provision of radiotherapy.
1.4. The post is full time for 10 weeks. Hours can be worked flexibly, in agreement with the line manager, to accommodate the demands of the project and personal responsibilities outside of work.
1.5. The post holder will be expected to prioritise and manage their own work on a day to day basis.

2. General Duties

2.1. Assists patients during incidental contacts, may have contact with patients as part of research.
2.2. Proposes changes to practice relating to research project.
2.3. Responsible for the safe use of expensive or highly complex equipment.
2.4. Provides advice or demonstrates own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced employees in own work area.
2.5. Records personally generated research data.

3. Research and Development

3.1. Participates in departmental research where the agreed research project is a major part of their work.
3.2. The project will be defined but the post holder will decide how it is best achieved and will be guided by principles and broad occupational policies or regulations. Guidance may be provided by peers or external reference points.
3.3. Analyses and interprets research results, may need to resolve complex equipment or process problems.
3.4. Plans and organises own research project. Planning and organising straightforward tasks and activities.
3.5. Participates in radiotherapy tasks which frequently require light physical effort for several short periods during a shift.
3.6. Undertakes all work required for the successful completion of their research project. Projects will be related to improving the planning and delivery of radiotherapy, and so may require the post holder to become familiar with the relevant aspects of clinical treatment planning, dosimetry and quality control, and offline data analysis.
3.7. Communicates research and other specialist clinical and scientific information to colleagues and presents findings to a public lecture (The Andrew Nixon Memorial Lecture) for a university educated lay audience within 4 months of completing the research project, summarising the work undertaken and the benefit to radiotherapy services at The Christie services and their patient population.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Degree in physical science or engineering, or completion of degree course and awaiting results.

Research

• A willingness to undertake research and development.
• Experience of research and development in a hospital setting.

Experience

• Delivery of postgraduate research projects.

Skills

• Ability to communicate complex information across professional boundaries.
• Analytical and reflective skills.
• Ability to prioritise work and function under pressure.
• Sound decision making skills.
• Highly developed physical accuracy and hand eye coordination for the precision set up of calibration equipment.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to prioritise own workload.

Knowledge

• Understanding of physical principles underpinning radiotherapy.
• Understanding of research methods appropriate to the research project.
• Knowledge of one or more computer programming languages (e.g. python).

Values

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Personal Attributes

• Professional.
• Ability to work independently.
• Self motivated.
• Flexible attitude to work.
• Punctual
• Good team worker.
• Able to attend training courses involving periods away from home.

Other

• Highly developed physical skill for precision set up of calibration equipment/manipulation of fine tools.
• Occasional requirement for prolonged concentration.
• Occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions.
• Rare exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.

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.

£39,959 to £48,117 a year Pro rata, per annum