CMPE often have vacancies which are advertised on our Christie jobs website section.
The job description usually states if we need specific academic qualifications and experience in the field, or if we are open to taking in applicants with relevant skills and provide them with on-the-job training to equivalent qualifications/registration.
Clinical Medical Physics and Engineering (CMPE) provides specialist medical physics and engineering services that support advanced clinical care across The Christie and the wider North West region.
We regularly advertise roles when we have vacancies within our department. Job roles will be posted on The Christie jobs website, where you’ll find detailed role descriptions, including required qualifications and experience. Some positions require specific academic credentials, while others offer structured on-the-job training to achieve equivalent qualifications or professional registration.
Working with CMPE means joining a team committed to patient-centred care, professional development, and innovation within one of the UK’s leading medical physics services.
Often HCS practitioners can be trained on the job. A STEM degree will be expected but it is not necessary to have experience working in the field for entry level posts. It’s a good idea to be aware of the profession and field you are applying for, so you know what the role is and are committed to the role with development requirements.
It is expected that HCS practitioners work towards registration with The Register of Clinical Technologists. This can be through a formal IPEM training scheme (CMPE are accredited to support this training path) or through equivalence for those with experience in the field.
There is a national Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), and you can often undertake this through an apprenticeship route. This is an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn and keep your student debt down.
Gaining an opportunity in this role is currently through advertised jobs from The Christie. Please find apprenticeship roles in our Latest opportunities section.
You may also be able to get jobs outside the North West through other NHS training centres or you may also be able to gain the associated academic degree and then apply for a post at The Christie having increased your employability through gaining qualification/experience.
There are currently relevant degrees in medical physics offered by:
We currently take 6 graduate trainees onto the scientific training programme (STP) in medical physics each year through the national programme. We have trainees across radiotherapy, radiation safety and diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and imaging with non-ionising radiation specialities. More information about the STP and how to apply can be found on the Scientist Training Programme website.
An alternative route to registration as a clinical scientist is via route 2 on the IPEM scheme after securing a post. This is likely to be suitable for those with relevant skills and experience in the field rather than someone starting from no relevant knowledge, where STP would be better. You can find more information about the Route 2 on the What is Route 2? website.
CMPE offer a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship route to become a clinical engineer. The degree is funded via the Apprenticeship Levy and lasts 4.5 years. You can find useful information about the healthcare science practitioner apprenticeship at Gov.uk.
You will attend university on a day release basis whilst gaining priceless work experience for the rest of week. At the end of the degree course, you will have a BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering along with vital experience repairing and maintaining radiotherapy medical devices such as linear accelerators and CT scanners. You would then be eligible for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with the Engineering Council UK and would also apply for the Register of Clinical Technologists via the equivalence route.
We have an outreach email if you want to get in touch for more information: the-christie.cmpe.outreach@nhs.net
Work experience for university students and graduates
The CMPE group offers 2-day work experience placement for university students and graduates to introduce physics as a healthcare science. During the placement, students will have the opportunity to learn about the field from current medical physicists to gain an insight into the career.
There will be talks, tours and demonstrations across 4 departments (subject to staff availability): radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology and radiation safety, nuclear medicine, and imaging with non-ionising radiation.
The next placement is due to run 3 and 4 February 2026. Applicants should be students attending university or graduates above the age of 18. If you would like to apply, please fill out the application form below by Friday 12 December 2025.
Drop in sessions
We hold regular online drop-in Q&A sessions, providing an opportunity to ask questions about our work, what a typical day looks like, how to apply for roles, and the different training pathways available, including the Scientist Training Programme (STP) and Route 2.
The sessions run from 10am to 11am on the last Friday of each month (excluding December which will run on 19 December 2025). You can join this meeting on Microsoft Teams.
Schools and colleges
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer work experience to anyone under the age of 16. However, we regularly participate in careers events and workshops for schools and colleges in the Greater Manchester area. If you are interested in us attending an event at your school/college, please get in contact (the-christie.cmpe.outreach@nhs.net).
See the IPEM career information webpage for more information.
You can also read more on The College of Radiographers career information page. Please note that we often interchange HCS practitioner roles with radiographers.
