Trainee Scientist

The successful candidate will be part of a team of 7 MR clinical scientists delivering a range of scientific services to providers of clinical and research MRI services within Leeds and surrounding region. 5T and 3T including a dedicated radiotherapy MRI planning scanner and an intraoperative system. A further 6 systems are in other Trusts and private healthcare providers.


The clinical work of the group is wide ranging and the group also has strong academic links with the University of Leeds providing research support to systems including musculoskeletal and cardiovascular scanners. There will be opportunities to participate in research.


There may be opportunities to participate in the ultrasound physics service for candidates with relevant experience.


The successful candidate will provide clinical technical and scientific support to the Trust and to external customers. They will be involved in multiple aspects of the MR physics service including MR safety advice (e.g. providing advice and support for patients with passive and active implants, development of local procedures), protocol development, teaching, training. There will also be opportunities to be involved in research.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides secondary and tertiary care to Leeds and surrounding regions with 20,000 staff, 2,000 hospitals beds and 1.There are 3 hospitals (Leeds General Infirmary, St Jamess University Hospital and Chapel Allerton hospital) within the Trust that have static MRI scanners.


Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. Department: Medical Physics & Engineering


2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY


The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) physics group lies within the Radionuclide and MR Physics section of the Medical Physics and Engineering Department. It delivers a broad range of specialised, highly complex scientific and technical services to the providers of clinical MRI services within the Trust and as contracted by other providers. The MRI equipment supported includes 9 MRI systems across the Trust, 1 jointly owned University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals system at Chapel Allerton, 3 University of Leeds systems and a further 7 systems in other hospitals within the region.


Under the direction of the Head of MRI Physics, the post holder will participate in the provision of a wide range of scientific and technical support to MRI service providers within the Trust and to those of its customers.


The post-holder is expected to provide technical and scientific services to, and contribute to the development and management of, the MRI equipment.


He/she is expected take responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of trainee clinical scientists and to develop effective working relationships with senior clinical staff in the Trust and other staff within the department.


He/she will act as a registered clinical scientist for the Trust providing specialist advice and expertise in MRI.


He/she is expected to actively participate in the initiation and further development of appropriate research and development activity within the group for at least 20% of his/her time.


He/she is expected to provide teaching and training of NHS staff in basic and advanced MRI physics, techniques, applications and safety.


Responsible for the safe use of highly complex, expensive equipment across the Trust, including 9 MRI systems across the Trust, 1 jointly owned University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals system at Chapel Allerton, 3 University of Leeds systems and a further 7 systems in other hospitals within the region, and associated workstations and test equipment with a total replacement value of 11,000,000.


Implements national policies and guidelines relating to the installation and use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems and associated equipment for the Trust and assists in the development of the corresponding local policy to ensure the safety of patients, staff and members of the public.


Supports the Magnetic Resonance Safety Expert through the provision of safety advice to the Trust and sits on the multidisciplinary Trust MRI safety group. Acts as a scientific specialist in MRI physics for the Trust. Provides, as required, scientific and technical services, including the provision of MR safety advice, as contracted by other healthcare organisations, including Bradford, Airedale, Harrogate and York and Scarborough NHS Trusts, Private Healthcare providers and academic institutions.


Assists with the provision of safety frameworks to 3 University-owned MRI systems located within the General Infirmary 2 dedicated to Cardiac research, funded by the British Heart Foundation and the third located in the Advanced Imaging Centre funded by the Medical Research Council for the development of Hyperpolarised MRI techniques.


Assists with the provision of scientific and technical support to routine and advanced clinical MR imaging applications, including Advanced Neuro Imaging (fMRI, DTI) for neurosurgical planning, Advanced Body Imaging (Liver, Breast, Prostate), Breast Biopsy service, Advanced Cardiac Imaging, MR-based Radiotherapy Treatment Planning and Musculoskeletal Imaging.


Assists with the provision of scientific and technical support to research programmes in Cardiac MRI, Oncology, MR-based Radiotherapy Treatment Planning and Musculoskeletal Disease.


Responsible for day-to-day supervision of trainee clinical scientists and pre-registered trainees. To provide scientific and technical services for a broad range of both routine and non-routine, highly specialised scientific and technical services in Magnetic Resonance Imaging across LTH Trust


To plan and participate in the development of appropriate quality systems for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, including quality assurance (QA) and often highly complex MRI protocol, pulse sequence and software development, and ensure that the services provided by the MR group are of the highest quality.


As a registered clinical scientist for the Trust, to provide highly specialist advice on all aspects of MR physics, safety, techniques and applications. To propose changes based on current national and international MR safety guidelines for the Trust and other organisations as contracted, to ensure the safety of patients, staff and members of the public, including the provision and updating of local rules for other colleagues working in the MR environment.


To work in close collaboration with MRI Service Managers, MR Radiographers, MR Clinical Scientists and other designated Responsible Persons, to ensure that the Trust fulfils its obligations as defined within current national and international guidelines and related Health and Safety legislation, including the maintenance of adequate records.


To perform non-routine, highly specialised analysis and interpretation of MRI images from individual patients, particularly those requiring advanced post-processing and/or image analysis. To provide specialist scientific and technical support throughout the Trust for the specification, evaluation, selection and acceptance testing of new MRI systems and associated equipment.


To ensure optimum performance of the installed base of MR systems within the Trust and to perform first line support in close liaison with the manufacturers. To participate in research and development programmes within the MRI group and in collaboration with other Trust and University departments which are of high quality and consistent with the joint Trust and University of Leeds research strategy. To liaise with MR manufacturers relating to scientific and clinical applications and R& D support and to test and implement new techniques supplied.


To provide supervision and training of NHS clinical scientists and technicians participating in the Clinical/Healthcare Scientist training scheme, and other professional training schemes. To provide basic and advanced teaching and training, usually at postgraduate level, of other NHS staff (including Radiographers and Radiologists) in MR physics, safety, techniques and applications. To teach on both internal and external postgraduate courses including the Masters (MSc) in Medical Imaging where this falls within the remit of the NHS department. To supervise and train undergraduate and postgraduate students working on MR projects where appropriate


To liaise with external organisations and regulatory bodies who have an interest in the work of the section.To perform other duties as determined by the Head of MR Physics, and for the provision of effective services. To travel, as required, within the UK or abroad for further specialist training or to attend relevant scientific meetings.


To make evidence-based assessments of risk, seeking advice where appropriate, where the outcome may be in conflict with national or other published guidelines, for example, in advising senior clinicians on the use of MRI procedures or practices that would normally be contra-indicated, where it may be in the best interests of an individual patient.


To devise safe, legal and effective solutions to complex science-based clinical problems, based on risk assessment and knowledge of current methodologies in MRI, determining the best practicable solution given the constraints on available resources, seeking advice where appropriate.To plan the development and implementation of new MR procedures. To plan programmes for the work of trainee physicists. To monitor and analyse MRI images and/or resulting data, to determine the best course of action in instances of MR system faults. To devise and construct test objects that mimic clinical scenarios to be used in the MRI system.


To prepare solutions to be used in MRI test objects, involving pipetting precise volumes of solutions to given concentrations and using chemical balances.


To manually set up, calibrate and operate highly complex equipment including MRI systems and associated test equipment, where accuracy is important.To apply specialist scientific knowledge to provide innovative solutions to clinical problems.


To provide specialist scientific input to strategic service developments relating to the clinical MRI service.


To write, edit and proof read complex scientific and technical reports, requiring a high level of concentration for periods of approximately 2 hours at a time, whilst being subject to frequent interruptions.


To specify and write bespoke computer software to provide solutions, including advanced image processing, to particular imaging problems to meet the requirements of other colleagues.
Good (1st or 2nd class) honours degree in physical sciences.
MSc in medical physics or equivalent [or working to achieve within 12 months]

Research and development.