Radiopharmacy Head of Quality

Radiopharmacy Head of Quality / Quality Controller Post The closing date is 20 January 2026 A rewarding opportunity has arisen for an individual seeking to advance their career in Quality leadership and service development within the NHS. The Radiopharmacy department at Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is looking to appoint an exceptional pharmacist, radiopharmaceutical scientist, chemist or scientist to take on the pivotal role of Head of Quality / Quality Controller. This is an ideal role for a professional with a strong foundation in hospital pharmacy aseptic services or pharmaceutical industry GMP manufacturing, combined with proven expertise in Quality Management Systems and regulatory compliance. You will work in close partnership with the Chief Radiopharmacist, and collaboratively with our Operations, Technical, Clinical and Quality teams to ensure a consistent and robust QA/QC framework underpins the safe and effective delivery of radiopharmaceuticals to patients across CUH and its partner sites. For candidates who demonstrate the necessary technical acumen and leadership potential, we offer structured training and development to support further career progression. Our department specialises in the preparation of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, produced to the highest standards in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice and national regulatory requirements. If you are ready to take the next step in your career and lead quality at the forefront of nuclear medicine, we would be delighted to hear from you. Main duties of the job Job Summary: The Radiopharmacy Head of Quality (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) will be directly accountable to the Chief Radiopharmacist/Head of Radiopharmacy for maintaining professional and clinical/technical standards within their area of responsibility and progressing the overarching Radiopharmacy strategy. You will also work closely with the Radiopharmacy Clinical Trials Lead Pharmacist, Radiopharmacy's Operations, Quality, Technical and Clinical Leadership Team to maximise the benefits of working within the sites, to provide a cohesive Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmaceuticals optimisation service for patients, the Trust and Partners. Provide strategic direction, leadership and the development of Pharmaceutical QA and QC Services to the Radiopharmacy services, to meet local, regional, and nationally agreed requirements and priorities. Provide assurance to senior management of ongoing and future regulatory compliance status of the activities covered by the role and escalate compliance concerns to Chief Radiopharmacist/Head of Radiopharmacy and senior management. Perform the role of Qualified Person/Quality Controller for all current and any future licensable activities within the Radiopharmacy as required by the Medicines Act and MHRA. Lead a robust Quality Management System across all areas of Radiopharmacy Technical services ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and safe systems of work. About us Our Trust Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population. CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background. Job responsibilities Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities. This vacancy will close at midnight on 20th January 2026 Interviews are due to be held on 30th January 2026 For an exceptional candidate, we are prepared to review the salary package in full, including the potential addition of a recruitment and retention supplement. Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals? Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air) Benefits to you At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff. On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose‑created colleague‑only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH. CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times. Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces. Person Specification Qualifications Masters level Pharmacy degree (MPharm) or scientific equivalent e.g. MSc or BSc, BPharm with post‑graduate certificate or diploma in PTQA or other relevant qualification Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Biology, or other equivalent body Education and Training qualification Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Formal Management Qualifications Further qualifications in relevant technical or management area Eligible as Quality Controller for the purposes of HTM 02 relating to piped medical gases MSC/Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience Eligible as Qualified Person (QP(IMP) under the medicines act and EU Directive Experience Substantial and proven post qualification relevant GMP Extensive relevant postgraduate experience in radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing, including experience in large, licensed facility Experience in a QC/laboratory and QA department Experience of training and supervising staff Experience of managing and developing a pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Service Experience of demonstrating expert technical knowledge covering Radiopharmaceutical of Pharmaceutical QA and production Previous experience of contributing to the operational and strategic direction of the Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy department Previous relevant experience at Senior Level e.g. Head of Section of Quality, Aseptic Technical Services or Radiopharmacy Quality Evidence of implementation of significant service change/innovation Effective project development and management Experience of validation and commissioning of new equipment and/or facilities A proven ability to deliver education and training Previous experience of national presentations and publications Proven track record of exerting influence at a strategic level Published pharmaceutical research in a peer‑reviewed journal Financial awareness regarding the management of drug budgets Knowledge Demonstrable knowledge of the validation requirements for radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical production facilities, equipment, personnel and processes Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of aseptic/parenterals e.g. formulation, QC, stability, administration and legal issues Knowledge of COSHH and health and safety at work Demonstrated knowledge of radiopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical microbiology Knowledge of all aspects of current GMP and all current legislation and regulations and ability to apply this knowledge to develop and run Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Services Demonstrates knowledge of clinical governance and pharmaceutical risk assessment Demonstrates ability to monitor and take action on out‑of‑specification results, process deviations including reporting to the MHRA Highly computer literate Knowledge of validation of IT systems Q‑Pulse Management Radiopharmacy IBC Software Annex 1 A thorough knowledge of Hospital Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy Technical Services (e.g. clean room design, isolator technology and production methodology etc.) Skills Demonstrate leadership skills and abilities Ability to work on own initiative, be innovative and develop the role Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively both verbally and in writing Able to develop staff within the team to release full potential Able to communicate effectively with all healthcare professionals and colleagues Demonstrated ability to influence senior medical staff, multidisciplinary teams, and management Able to promote and evaluate best practice within Radiopharmaceutical or Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance services Able to improve service quality at operational management level Communicate complex and specialised information to other staff and the representatives of external and governmental Discuss specialised information regarding Pharmaceutical Services with Regulatory Authorities Respond to complaints and reports of defective medicines and services Communicate with other staff outside of Radiopharmacy in the contracted Trusts Liaise with external contractors in the provision of goods and services to the Trusts Liaise with external agencies and contractors in the planning of facilities and services for radiopharmaceuticals Communicate complex and specialised information to other staff and the representatives of external and governmental agencies Able to identify and manage risks Able to manage non‑compliances and incidents and develop and review action plans to resolve them Able to develop new systems of work Able to negotiate effectively and write business cases Able to prepare and complete documentation accurately with attention to detail, even when under pressure Demonstrated ability to perform accurate complex calculations and numeracy skills and to teach these Able to plan, prioritise and organise self and of others Good time management and organisational skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Critical appraisal skills (e.g. Clinical trials) Highly motivated and able to manage their own workload Able to work well under pressure and to prioritise work Flexible attitude to work and working hours to meet service needs Has a progressive proactive and innovative approach Ability to maintain effectiveness and concentration under pressure and interruptions Ability to deal with confrontation Keyboard skills and IT knowledge - the ability to use word processing and to set up and use databases and spreadsheets as a minimum Ability to use complex laboratory and testing equipment and to train others in its use Ability to work in varying environments (laboratory, ward, operating theatre etc.) Supervisory and training skills Familiarity with Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy computer systems including Pharmagraph To be able to respond to changing priorities Advanced IT skills including email, work processing spreadsheets databases, accurate data entry and use of specialist computer programmes Demonstrated ability to deliver lectures, workshops, and formal presentations Additional Requirements The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent. 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. Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust #J-18808-Ljbffr