Admissions

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 therapeutic medical physics resident.

Description and Duties of the Position

At the direction of the Therapeutic Medical Physics Residency Director and the Research Mentor, the candidate will participate in medical physics research activities from the start of the appointment (no later than 5/31/2025) until 06/30/2026. Research activities will be designated by the Research Mentor.

During the subsequent two years of the appointment (7/1/2026-6/30/2028), the candidate will work under the supervision of the Medical Physics Residency Directors, participating in clinical rotations pertinent to radiation oncology physics, including: megavoltage photon and electron therapy, CT simulation, 2D and 3D computerized dose planning, intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning, periodic QA of therapy equipment, patient treatment QA, interstitial and intracavitary brachytherapy procedures, radiopharmaceutical therapy, radiation safety procedures, special procedures (TBI, TSE, SBRT, radiosurgery, etc.) and proton therapy. The resident will also assist in the implementation of new treatment infrastructure (linear accelerator 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 treatment and diagnosis of cancer using physics principles. The objective of the program is to train future medical physicists who have an interest in pursuing academic career path and leading the innovative research and development in medical physics to a level of competency which will allow the trainee to complete the American Board of Radiology Certification in the specialty of Therapeutic Medical Physics.

Requirements for the Position

Applicants are required to have completed a Ph.D. in Physics, Medical Physics, or an engineering discipline or another of the physical sciences and with coursework that is equivalent of a minor in physics for undergraduate degree. 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.

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 (must start between 01/01/2025 and 05/31/2025) to 06/30/2028. This off-cycle position is not offered through the medical physics match. The salary for the first research year (from start to 6/30/2026) will follow the Year 1 grade at the department; the salary for the clinical component (7/1/2026 – 6/30/2028) will follow Year 2 and Year 3 at the department. Other benefits include comprehensive health insurance, paid time off and etc. 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 OPT but will not sponsor J1 or H1B visas.

Application and Contact

This position will not be a part of the Medical Physics Match. An interested individual is required to apply for this position by emailing Marlene Kromchad. Submission requirements include transcripts of undergraduate and graduate degree, personal statement, CV, and three (3) reference letters. The department will consider applicants on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

• Residency Starts From: Prior to 05/31/2025
• CAMPEP Graduate Required: Yes
• Number of Openings: 1
• Total Number of Residents: 11
• Length of the Program: 37 to 42 months
• Degree Requirements: PhD
• Specialty: Therapeutic Medical Physics
• Program Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Visa Assistance: Only TN Visa and OPT are sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note:

• The University of Pennsylvania Health System ceased hiring tobacco users in our efforts to improve the overall health of our workforce while reducing health care benefit costs. Each individual seeking employment at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, including in any GME program, is required to attest that he/she is not a tobacco user. A tobacco user is an individual who uses cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, etc. regardless of the frequency of use. 

• SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination - All University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) employees must be vaccinated against SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) prior to employment and subsequently, as determined necessary and communicated to you by UPHS thereafter, and influenza (annually), unless granted a medical or religious exemption. DO NOT OTHERWISE ACCEPT A POSITION IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO BE VACCINATED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania anticipates 4 openings beginning July 1st 2025 for the CAMPEP-accredited Radiation Oncology Therapeutic Medical Physics Residency program. The residency is a two-year program comprised of training in all aspects of medical physics procedures. These include clinical and technical rotations pertinent to radiation oncology physics including: megavoltage photon and electron therapy, CT simulation, 2D and 3D computerized dose planning, intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning, periodic QA of therapy equipment, patient treatment QA, interstitial and intracavitary brachytherapy procedures, radiopharmaceutical therapy, radiation safety procedures, special procedures (TBI, TSE, SBRT, radiosurgery, etc.) and proton therapy. The resident will also assist in the implementation of new treatment infrastructure (linear accelerator 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 treatment and diagnosis of cancer using physics principles. Participation in departmental training sessions and didactic conferences is expected. The objective of the program is to educate and train the residents to a level of competency which will allow the trainee to complete the American Board of Radiology Certification in the specialty of Therapeutic Medical Physics.

Requirements for the Position Applicants are required to have completed an 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. 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. 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) but will not sponsor J1 or H1B visas.

A complete application must be submitted via the AAPM Medical Physics Residency Application Program (MP-RAP). We are recruiting through the Medical Physics Match Service. To apply, applicants must participate in the Match and enter code number 15711 for our program. The deadline for applications is December 8, 2024. Submission requirements include transcripts of undergraduate and graduate degree, personal statement, CV and three (3) reference letters. 

Virtual interview dates are 1/24/2025 and 1/27/2025.

Candidates with OPT and TN status to cover the entirety of residency will be considered; however, the department is unable to sponsor H1B or J visa status for this position.

• NSMID: 15711
• Starts from 7/1/2025 
• CAMPEP Graduate Required: Yes
• Number of Openings: 4
• Total Number of Residents: 11
• Length of the Program: 24 Months
• Degree Requirements: MS or PhD
• Specialty: Therapeutic Medical Physics
• Program Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Visa Assistance: Only TN visa and OPT are sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note:

• The University of Pennsylvania Health System ceased hiring tobacco users in our efforts to improve the overall health of our workforce while reducing health care benefit costs. Each individual seeking employment at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, including in any GME program, is required to attest that he/she is not a tobacco user. A tobacco user is an individual who uses cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, etc. regardless of the frequency of use. 

• SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination - All University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) employees must be vaccinated against SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) prior to employment and subsequently, as determined necessary and communicated to you by UPHS thereafter, and influenza (annually), unless granted a medical or religious exemption. DO NOT RANK A UPHS PROGRAM FOR A MATCH OR OTHERWISE ACCEPT A UPHS GME POSITION IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO BE VACCINATED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

Please refer Medical Physics Residency Application Program (MP-RAP) website for any questions you may have.