The Department of Radiation Oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, is seeking a highly motivated individual to join as an off-cycle medical physics resident.

Description and Duties of the Position
At the direction of the Medical Physics Residency Director and the Research Mentor, the candidate will participate in medical physics research activities from the start of the appointment (must start between 01/01/2024 and 05/31/2024) until 06/30/2025. The Research Mentor will designate research activities. During the subsequent two years of the appointment (7/1/2025-6/30/2027), the candidate will work under the supervision of the Medical Physics Residency Directors, participating in clinical subjects pertinent to radiation oncology physics, including megavoltage photon, electron, and proton therapy, CT simulation, 2D and 3D computerized dose planning, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, treatment aids, calibration and periodic QA of therapy equipment, brachytherapy procedures, radiopharmaceutical therapy, radiation safety procedures, special procedures (TBI, TSE, SBRT, radiosurgery, etc.). The resident will have an opportunity to work on the newest linear accelerators, single-room and multi-room proton therapy machines, and also to assist in the implementation of new treatment infrastructure (new linear accelerator, brachytherapy applicator, and treatment planning system commissioning, etc.). Proficiency in all areas of radiation oncology physics including photon, electron, and proton beam modalities is expected to be achieved. Though medical physicists work behind the scenes, their role is crucial in optimizing radiation treatment for each patient and managing equipment to ensure it meets and exceeds specifications. Services provided by the resident contribute an essential part of an interdisciplinary team in managing the diagnosis and treatment of cancer using physics principles. 

Requirements for the Position
Applicants are required to have completed a Ph.D. in Physics, Medical Physics, or a related discipline, with preference given to graduates of a CAMPEP-accredited graduate or certificate program. Candidates should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. Candidates must also demonstrate completion of the appropriate undergraduate and graduate coursework as required by the ABR and CAMPEP. Candidates without a graduate or certificate degree from a CAMPEP-accredited program must provide proof of completion of the six required graduate-level courses listed by CAMPEP, preferably from a CAMPEP-accredited program. If any or all of these courses is (are) not taken at a CAMPEP-accredited graduate or certificate program, the candidate is required to satisfactorily complete courses equivalent to those in a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program, as determined by the CAMPEP Graduate Education Program Review Committee (GEPRC). The candidate may also be required to remediate any deficiency by taking up to 1 CAMPEP core course(s) during the first-year residency, which may incur additional cost to the candidate.

Research Areas

The department has active funded research in many areas, including proton FLASH (NIH P01 and industry sponsored), robotics in radiosurgery, Cherenkov imaging and dosimetry, AI and machine learning in radiation therapy, automation in segmentation and planning, radiomics and outcome prediction, radiobiology, and many more. Successful mentor-resident match will be based on mutual interest, candidate’s skillset, and funding availability.   

Terms of Employment
Within the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, the candidate will be employed full-time as a Medical Physics Trainee from the start of appointment (no later than 05/31/2024) to 06/30/2027. This off-cycle position is not offered through the medical physics match. The salary for the research component (from start to 6/30/2025) will follow the department and NIH guidelines on postdoctoral associates; the salary for the clinical component (7/1/2025 – 6/30/2027) will follow the department guideline and stay competitive. Other benefits include comprehensive health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits, etc. The candidate must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the entirety of the employment to be considered. For this position, the department will consider candidates requiring TN visa (Canadian citizens) or using OPT but will not sponsor J or H1B status. 

Application and Contact
This position will not be a part of the Medical Physics Match. Interested individuals must apply for this position by submitting their CV to the Medical Education Associate Director, Ms. Marlene Kromchad via the Apply Now.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified and must submit a full application including personal information and statement, transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and others as directed by the program, before being considered for further steps. 

About University of Pennsylvania

The Institution The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. The Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is the oldest and one of the finest medical schools in the United States. Penn is rich in tradition and heritage and at the same time consistently at the forefront of new developments and innovations in medical education and research. Since its founding in 1765, the School has been a strong presence in the community and prides itself on educating the leaders of tomorrow in patient care, biomedical research, and medical education. https://www.xrt.upenn.edu The Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine is one of the world's largest and most advanced radiation treatment facilities.... Over the past fiscal year, we provided more than 135,000 treatments and over 7,500 new patient starts in the Department’s facilities. Technologies include proton therapy, cyberknife, gamma knife, photodynamic therapy, brachytherapy, and conventional photon and electron radiation therapy. The department is based in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia and includes satellite facilities at Pennsylvania Hospital, Chester County Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Penn Princeton Medical Center, the Veterans Affairs Hospital, Doylestown Hospital, Chestnut Hill Hospital, Radnor, Valley Forge, Cherry Hill, Shore Medical Center, Cape regional Radiation Oncology, Penn Virtua Hospitals, and Penn Lancaster General Hospital.

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