Medical Physics STP: Role, Training and Interview Guide

Independent guidance. PathologyLabTraining is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS or NSHCS. Competition ratios and details change every year, so always check the current information at nshcs.hee.nhs.uk.

Medical physics sits within the Physical Sciences division of the NHS Scientist Training Programme. It suits numerate, problem solving people who want to apply physics to patient care, whether through imaging, treatment, or radiation safety. This guide covers the role, the training, and how to prepare.

What a clinical scientist in medical physics does

Clinical scientists in medical physics develop and apply methods to see what is happening inside the body and to treat disease safely. The specialism spans several areas, including radiation safety and diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy physics, nuclear medicine, and imaging with non ionising radiation.

In radiotherapy physics, you work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, patient centred treatment. That includes generating, adapting, and evaluating treatment plans in line with codes of practice, standards, and legislation, and critically appraising techniques to inform clinical decisions. In diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine, departments support a wide range of imaging and non imaging examinations alongside inpatient and outpatient molecular radiotherapy treatments. Across all areas, accuracy, safety, and a strong grasp of physics are central.

What the STP covers in medical physics

The STP is a three year programme of work based learning supported by an accredited master's degree, with employment by an NHS trust throughout. You rotate across the medical physics areas early on, then specialise in the later stages.

Expect a blend of academic study and clinical practice, with some travel to other sites and time spent at a partner university for the master's. The training develops both technical competence, such as treatment planning or imaging quality assurance, and the professional skills needed to work in a clinical team, contribute to research, and support service development as a newly qualified clinical scientist.

What interviewers look for and how to prepare

Interviewers look for solid scientific foundations and the ability to apply physics to real clinical problems, not just textbook recall. Be ready to talk about radiation safety, the principles behind an imaging or treatment technique, and why accuracy matters when patient safety depends on it.

Show that you understand the breadth of medical physics and have a reason for your interest, whether that is imaging, radiotherapy, or radiation protection. Bring examples of careful, methodical work, teamwork, and clear communication of technical ideas to non specialists. Reading around current developments will help you handle broader discussion.

Competition for STP posts varies by year and by specialism, so always check the latest information on the NSHCS website before applying.

Next steps

Start with our STP preparation hub, and use the specialism chooser if you are comparing physical science routes. Practise realistic questions with the interview simulator, and see our NHS STP guide for the full picture of the programme.