Admissions

University of Pennsylvania Medical Physics Residency - 3-year + Off-cycle Position

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 (no later than 5/1/2024) until 06/30/2025. Research activities will be designated by the Research Mentor. 

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 and electron therapy, CT simulation, 2D and 3D computerized dose planning, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, treatment aids, calibration and periodic QA of therapy equipment, 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. 

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, preferable from a CAMPEP-accredited program. If any of these courses is (are) not taken at a CAMPEP-accredited graduate or certificate program, the candidate is required to provide an official transcript (in English) and course syllabus to demonstrate equivalency to a CAMPEP core course and may be required to remediate deficiency by taking CAMPEP core course(s) during residency, which may incur additional cost to the candidate.

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 01/01/2024 and 05/01/2024) to 06/30/2027. This off-cycle position is not offered through the medical physics match.  Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, paid time off, and 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), but will not sponsor J1 or H1B visas. 

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. http://www.med.penn.edu/.

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine is one of the largest and most advanced radiation treatment facilities in the world. We provided more than 135,000 treatments and over 7,500 new patient starts in the Department’s facilities over the past fiscal year. Technologies include proton therapy, Cyberknife, gamma knife, photodynamic therapy, Brachytherapy, and conventional radiation therapy. The department is based in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. The department also 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, and Penn Lancaster Hospital.

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. The department will consider applicants on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

University of Pennsylvania Medical Physics Residency - 2-year Match Positions

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania anticipates 4 openings beginning July 1st, 2024 for the CAMPEP-accredited Radiation Oncology 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 subjects pertinent to radiation oncology physics including megavoltage photon, electron and, proton beam therapy, brachytherapy, CT-simulation, computerized treatment planning, calibration and periodic QA of therapy equipment, radiation safety, and special procedures (TBI, TSE, SBRT, radiosurgery, etc.). Participation in departmental training sessions and didactic conferences is expected. The objective of the program is to educate and train the resident 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.

Applicants are required to have completed an M.S. or 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, preferable from a CAMPEP-accredited program. If any of these courses is (are) not taken at a CAMPEP-accredited graduate or certificate program, the candidate is required to provide an official transcript (in English) and course syllabus to demonstrate equivalency to a CAMPEP core course and may be required to remediate deficiency by taking CAMPEP core course during residency, which may incur additional cost. 

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. http://www.med.penn.edu/.

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine is one of the largest and most advanced radiation treatment facilities in the world. We provided more than 135,000 treatments and over 7,500 new patient starts in the Department’s facilities over the past fiscal year. Technologies include proton therapy, Cyberknife, gamma knife, photodynamic therapy, Brachytherapy, and conventional radiation therapy. The department is based in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. The department also 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, and Penn Lancaster Hospital.

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 10th, 2023.

Due to restrictions as a result of COVID-19, interviews for the 2023 residency will be conducted virtually. Virtual interview dates are 1/26/2024 and 1/29/2024. Candidates with OPT and TN status will be considered; however, the department is unable to sponsor H1B or J visa status for this position.

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.