How passive physicists actually move.
Senior physicists rarely move for money. They move for scope, technology and a functioning team, usually in that order.
Signal one: scope
A clear step up in responsibility, whether that is programme ownership, supervisory scope or accreditation leadership. Scope is the most reliable opener because it is the thing a current employer cannot quickly match.
Signal two: technology
A new linac, an MR-linac, a proton programme or a stereotactic expansion. Physicists are drawn to work that extends their technical range and stays relevant.
Signal three: a team that works
Adequate staffing, a physician group that engages with physics, and leadership that protects QA time. This is the quietest signal and often the deciding one.
- Lead outreach with scope, not compensation.
- Name the technology and the programme roadmap explicitly.
- Be honest about team size and QA time; it is what senior candidates verify.
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