Lead Gastrointestinal Physiologist
The closing date is 31 July 2026
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to join our GI physiology department as the Lead Physiologist. The service comprises specialist gastroenterologists, clinical scientists, clinical nurse specialists, and physiotherapists, working together to deliver highly specialist care for patients with complex gastrointestinal, colorectal and pelvic disorders. As a department we provide GI Physiology investigations and offer treatments including sacral nerve neuromodulation programming, botulinum toxin injection for anal fissures, colorectal pelvic floor physiotherapy, behavioural therapy and nurse‑led advice for constipation and incontinence.
About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England’s largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will independently perform, analyse and report a range of gastrointestinal physiology investigations, including high‑resolution oesophageal manometry, ambulatory intra‑oesophageal pH and impedance monitoring, wireless pH monitoring, hydrogen/methane breath testing and anorectal physiology for both adult and paediatric patients. The department works closely with the local gastroenterologists and surgeons as well as other MDT members to undertake MDT reviews of physiological investigations, alongside other modalities to formulate diagnoses and personalised treatment strategies.
As the Lead Clinical Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high‑quality diagnostic and therapeutic GI physiology services. This includes provision of adult and paediatric pathways for GI motility investigations. You will work autonomously to perform, analyse, and report complex diagnostic investigations, while also providing strategic and operational leadership across the service. You will need to demonstrate a range of practical skills and be competent to provide training and supervision in GI Physiology.
We appreciate that GI Physiology services can vary across the UK and that potential applicants may not have experience in all the tests provided by our department or in performing paediatric investigations. We would still be interested to hear from you if you are interested in this role.
- Independently perform, analyse, and report a wide range of GI diagnostic tests
- Lead and contribute to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, including upper GI physiology, paediatric GI physiology, and pelvic floor MDTs
- Ensure all diagnostic services are delivered in line with evidence‑based practice and national standards
- Provide day‑to‑day operational management of the GI physiology unit, including pelvic floor and therapy services (across sites where applicable)
- Manage service capacity, patient flow, and operational pressures to maintain high‑quality care and performance
- Lead on service development, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, patient experience, and clinical outcomes
- Provide line management and leadership to a multidisciplinary team, including Clinical Scientists, Specialist Nurses, Physiologists, Assistants, and administrative staff
- Oversee workforce planning, staff development, and performance management
- Ensure delivery of speciality‑specific and national targets, working collaboratively with clinical teams and escalating issues as required
Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
- Relevant MSc Clinical Science or significant equivalent experience in GI physiology
- Degree in clinical Science
- Health care professions council (HCPC) registered clinical scientist and Association of GI Physiologists Accredited (AGIP) Independent practitioner
- Extensive experience in clinical physiology services including diagnostic procedures, treatment options and equipment management
- Proven leadership and management experience
- Theoretical and practical expertise in GI physiology testing, with proficiency across a broad range of investigative technique and their interpretation
- Demonstrate experience working within multidisciplinary teams, including active participation or leadership of multidisciplinary meetings
- Advanced skills in managing staff, including the ability to handle complex and contentious issues with competing priorities
- IT skills including the use of clinical systems and patient data management and communication
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to patients and staff, adapting to individual needs
- Proven experience in managing staff and resources across a wide range of operational challenges
- Demonstrate ability to analyse complex problems and implement practical, effective solutions
- Experience of leading a service
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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