Imaging and therapy with radionuclides
What does a nuclear medicine physicist do?
Nuclear medicine physicists work with small amounts of radioactive material used to image how the body is functioning or to deliver treatment. They help teams measure activity and dose, check equipment and run services safely.
What might you do day to day?
The mix varies by department. You could move between equipment checks, image processing, software, activity measurements, patient-specific dosimetry, audit, research and advice to clinical colleagues.
- Check whether imaging equipment is performing within specification
- Improve how images and measurements are quantified
- Assess administered activity and patient dose
- Support safe molecular radiotherapy
- Investigate a result before equipment or a procedure returns to clinical use
What is unusual about this specialty?
The radioactive tracer is given to the patient. Depending on the material and purpose, it can help create images of body function or deliver therapy. That brings together imaging, radiation measurement, patient dosimetry and practical radiation protection.
How is it different from diagnostic radiology physics?
Nuclear medicine detects radioactive material administered to the patient. Diagnostic radiology physics usually centres on x-ray equipment that sends radiation through the patient, plus image quality, patient dose and radiation protection. Hybrid scanners bring the teams together.
How do you enter the field?
Nuclear Medicine is one of the current Medical Physics specialties listed for England's STP. Commissioned posts can change from year to year, so check the live recruitment round rather than assuming the specialty will always be available.
Compare before choosing
Does the tracer, imaging and therapy mix appeal to you?
Place nuclear medicine beside radiotherapy and imaging-related work, then explore the live training route.
Sources and review date
Last reviewed: 18 August 2026