Imaging and therapy with radionuclides
What does a nuclear medicine physicist do?
Nuclear medicine physicists apply measurement, imaging and radiation science to radioactive tracers used for diagnosis and to radionuclide treatments, with a strong focus on dose, quality and safety.
What problems do teams solve?
- Is the imaging equipment performing within specification?
- Can an image or measurement be made more quantitative?
- How should activity and patient dose be assessed?
- How can a molecular radiotherapy service be delivered and verified safely?
- What quality control or investigation is needed before clinical use?
What is the day-to-day balance?
The mix varies by department. Work can include equipment quality control, image processing, software, activity measurement, patient-specific dosimetry, documentation, audit, research and advice to clinical colleagues.
How is it different from diagnostic radiology physics?
Nuclear medicine uses radioactive substances administered to the patient, while diagnostic radiology physics commonly centres on x-ray imaging equipment, patient dose and radiation protection. Hybrid systems make collaboration important.
How do you enter the field?
Nuclear Medicine is one of the current Medical Physics specialties in the England STP taxonomy. Availability changes with commissioned posts, so a specialty name does not guarantee a vacancy every year.
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: 13 July 2026