Clinical Scientist

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Management

Assist the MR Section Leader in the planning, provision and development of MR services in the Region, and elsewhere if appropriate.

Assist the lead research MR clinical scientist in the planning, provision and development of support to the MRL.

Assist the senior research scientists responsible for the BRC and CRUK funded grants in supporting MR initiatives related to radiotherapy.

Participate in the Quality Management System for the MR Section.

Supervise and direct the work of trainee clinical scientists involved in MR Section.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Provide scientific advice and support to clinical magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy.

Take a lead in certain areas of the scientific support as defined by the lead research MR clinical scientist Some aspects of this role will require occasional travel throughout the UK in order to provide the necessary support.

Carry out sequence optimisation for anatomical and quantitative imaging techniques on diagnostic and MRL systems for a range of cancer treatment sites.

Process data using commercially available and in-house developed software and assist in the development and maintenance of the groups data analysis pipeline.

Collaborate and liaise with clinical colleagues and other professionals working within the field of MR both locally, nationally and internationally where appropriate.

Provide safety advice to magnetic resonance imaging and contribute to the MR Sections role of Magnetic Resonance Safety Expert (MRSE) to the clinical sites which the MR Section supports.

Provide advice on the design, construction and operation of MR facilities, and specifically advise on the safety implications for these facilities.

Assist in the provision of specifications for MR systems and MR related equipment and collaborate closely with sites acquiring new MR systems to ensure optimum and effective purchase decisions.

Provide safety advice relating to specific patients with respect to the MR compatibility and MR safety of various implantable devices and surgical prostheses.

Undertake analysis and interpretation of MR data for individual patients and provide patient related reports and data/results generated as part of the scientific support to routine clinical service.

Contribute to the prescription of non-routine specialised MR procedures for individual patients and specific patient groups as required at the MR departments supported by the MR Section.

Provide support and expertise to MR imaging within radiology and radiotherapy at The Christie as required and assist colleagues engaged in specific support activities related to The Christie.

Research

Take a leading role in MR physics research and development program of the MRL and MR-radiotherapy applications at The Christie, working under the direction of the lead research MR clinical scientist for the project.

Optimise quantitative imaging techniques (e.g. Diffusion Weighted (DW), Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) and Oxygen-Enhanced (OE) MRI) within defined research studies on the diagnostic and MRL systems at The Christie.

Process research data using commercially available and in-house developed software and assist in the development and maintenance of the data analysis pipeline.

Develop effective collaboration within the MRL program and associated radiotherapy related MR initiatives with scientists and clinicians at The Christie, as well as industrial, clinical and research groups at Elekta, Philips, The University of Manchester and other groups within the Unity MRL Consortium.

Initiate and participate in MR related research projects and disseminate the results through peer reviewed publications and presentations at national and international meetings.

Provide support to PhD students and other researchers who may from time to time be working within the MR Section.

Seek to further extend collaborative research related to the MRL and MR at The Christie by assisting in the development of grant applications and associated ethics documentation.

Teaching and training

Contribute to various teaching commitments, formally and informally at universities and Institutions relating to the education of radiologists, radiographers and scientists involved in MR.

Assist in the training of clinical scientists and trainee physicists undertaking placements in MR.

Professional

Undertake continuing professional development in compliance with the requirements for registration of The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), maintain a professional portfolio and have a commitment to the training and development of other professional colleagues.

Participate in mandatory study days.

Identify self-training needs to the MR Section Lead.

Participate in training courses as required by the MR section lead.

Keep abreast of developments and maintain in-depth knowledge in techniques, legislation and good practice relating to MR.

Qualifications

Essential

• State Registered Clinical Scientist (or planning on working towards registration via route 2)
• Honours degree in an appropriate physical science
• PhD or equivalent evidence of research training.

Desirable

• Corporate membership of IPEM or other equivalent professional body
• Management qualification

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in medical physics with the majority in magnetic resonance

Desirable

• Supervision of students and trainees

Skills

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills
• Clear and articulate communicator.
• Teaching aptitude to communicate complex MR physics principles at a range of levels to varying staff groups.

Desirable

• Effective collaboration with other organisations.

Knowledge

Essential

• Expert knowledge of magnetic resonance physics
• Appropriate health and safety legislation
• Knowledge and experience of MR safety matters

Desirable

• Understanding of research, development and clinical governance
• Working knowledge of quality management systems.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Research and Development

Essential

• Expertise in research methods
• Experience in advanced techniques
• Programming skills and data analysis
• Expertise and experience in preparation of scientific papers and presentations

Desirable

• Record of dissemination / publication of scientific work
• Experience working with quantitative MRI data
• Experience in pulse programming and image reconstruction

Other

Essential

• Enthusiasm and commitment Willing to work across the North West Imaging Network with occasional (<10 per year) overnight stays

Desirable

• Current driving license

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).