Medical Physicist Trainee

University Overview

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. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Medical Physicist Trainee

Job Profile Title

Medical Physicist Trainee

Job Description Summary

This is a Medical Physics training position. https://www.med.upenn.edu/medicalphysicsresidency/
The trainee will work under the supervision of the Medical Physics Residency Coordinator and the Medical Physics faculty and staff mentor(s). In the first year the trainee will assist faculty physicists with research project(s), and in year 2 and 3 assist faculty and hospital staff physicists with all aspects of routine medical physics procedures in the Department of Radiation Oncology on a clinical rotation basis.
This position has an expected end date of June 30, 2030.

Job Description

Medical Physicist Trainee-Year 1 Duties

• Perform research under the supervision of the research mentor(s) to fulfill project and grant deliverables, prepare and publish manuscripts and conference presentations/proceedings.
• Assist research mentor(s) with research activities such as experiment planning and execution, data collection and analysis, manuscript and report preparation, grant preparation, and other activities as defined by the mentor(s).
• Assist research mentor(s) with teaching and educational activities for students and trainees. Participate in department research seminars and journal clubs.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Medical Physicist Trainee-Years 2 and 3 Duties

• Participate in clinical and technical activities pertinent to radiation oncology physics including: megavoltage photon, electron and proton therapy, CT, MR, PET/CT simulations, 3D, intensity modulated radiation therapy, and proton treatment planning, brachytherapy planning and delivery, radiopharmaceutical therapy, calibration and periodic QA of therapy equipment and patient specific QA, radiation safety procedures, special procedures (TBI, radiosurgery, etc.) and patient chartrounds.
• Participate in clinical implementation projects (e.g. linear accelerator and treatment planning system commissioning and updates). Achieve proficiency in all aspects of external beam QA procedures including photon, electron, and proton beams. Working outside regular clinic hours is necessary to perform certain medical physics procedures such as machine calibration and QA.
• Participate in departmental training sessions, didactic courses and conferences.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

M.S. or Ph.D. in Physics, Medical Physics, or an engineering discipline or another of the physical sciences and with coursework that is the equivalent of a minor in physics for undergraduate degree and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required. In addition, candidates are required to successfully complete either a CAMPEP-accredited MS or PhD graduate program, or a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program prior to the start of the residency. Candidates should possess excellent verbal and written communications skills. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the entirety of the employment to be considered.

The position period is expected to be from January 4, 2027 - June 30, 2030.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$59,015.00 - $71,965.07 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay