Medical Physicist, Brachytherapy

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the commencement of its African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) project in Abuja, Nigeria. It will provide world-class care to both low and high-income patient groups across the continent. The AMCE in Partnership with King's College Hospital London will be located in Abuja, which is a hub for travel in Nigeria and West Africa, enabling it to attract patients across the region.

The African Medical Centre of Excellence will be implemented in four phases over a six-year period, starting with a 170-bed specialist hospital before expanding to a 500-bed facility. The centre will have the potential to provide services to over 200,000 patients in Nigeria and a further 150,000 patients from neighbouring West African countries within its first five years of operation.

The clinical areas the centre will specialise in are Cardiology, Haematology and Oncology. A range of businesses providing relevant health support will support this facility and provide commercial services to its patients and staff, thus creating a healthcare ecosystem sustainably designed to deliver long-term value to its community and region.

This is an outstanding initiative and creates a unique opportunity to be involved in the opening chapter of this exciting project that is set to make a decisive impact on non-communicable disease care across Nigeria and West Africa. The AMCE will benefit millions of people in Abuja and over the wider regions of West Africa. The institution will act as a beacon of healthcare in Africa and will be the employer and healthcare provider of choice across the region. What makes this facility even more special is its very close partnership with King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Job Summary

The Medical Physicist (Brachytherapy) will be responsible for the safe, precise, and effective delivery of brachytherapy treatments within AMCE. The role holder will oversee all aspects of treatment planning, radiation safety, quality assurance, and equipment management for both HDR (High-Dose-Rate) and LDR (Low-Dose-Rate) brachytherapy services. He/ She would ensure compliance with regulatory standards, contributes to clinical protocol development, and provides expertise within a multidisciplinary oncology team.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Brachytherapy Treatment Planning & Delivery

• Perform and oversee complex treatment planning for HDR and LDR brachytherapy procedures across various disease sites.
• Ensure accurate calculation and administration of radiation doses, verifying dose distributions and optimizing plans for clinical efficacy.
• Operate, calibrate, and perform acceptance testing of brachytherapy treatment planning systems and remote after loaders.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive Quality Assurance program for all brachytherapy equipment, sources, and procedures.
• Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and source inventory checks in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure strict compliance with relevant radiation safety standards.

Radiation Safety and Compliance

• Oversee the safe handling, storage, receipt, and disposal of all radioactive brachytherapy sources.
• Manage radiation monitoring for staff and patients and implement emergency procedures for source-related incidents.
• Provide radiation safety training and guidance to clinical staff, including physicians, therapists, and nurses.

Research & Innovation

• Engage in research and development to advance brachytherapy techniques, such as novel applications and imaging fusion for planning.
• Contribute to clinical trials, protocol development, and the implementation of new brachytherapy technologies.
• Publish and present research findings in peer-reviewed platforms and conferences.

Training & Mentorship

• Train and mentor junior physicists, dosimetrists, and technologists on brachytherapy principles, planning, and safety procedures.
• Build local capacity and transfer knowledge to strengthen the brachytherapy team's expertise.
• Support academic collaborations with universities and training institutions.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work closely with radiation oncologists, oncology nurses, and other team members in a multidisciplinary environment to ensure high-quality patient care.
• Represent the medical physics section in institutional committees and contribute to strategic planning for radiation oncology services.
• Support AMCE's vision for excellence in cancer treatment and contribute to continuous service improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in brachytherapy physics, with hands-on expertise in HDR and/or LDR procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in brachytherapy treatment planning, source management, and radiation safety protocols.
• Prior experience in the commissioning of brachytherapy equipment and development of clinical protocols.
• Hands-on experience with brachytherapy planning systems, dosimetry equipment, and after loading machines.
• Strong knowledge of radiation physics, radiobiology, and brachytherapy principles
• Experience in training or supervising staff in a clinical physics environment.