Applied Physicist - Image Reconstruction

Inovait; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascinta, based in Vancouver, BC, is hiring an Applied Physicist to develop SPECT and PET image reconstruction algorithms. You will benchmark iterative reconstruction, perform Monte Carlo simulations, and validate methods using simulated and clinical datasets alongside medical physicists and software engineers.

Join a team focused on cancer therapy via advanced imaging with production-quality code in C/C++, optimization for CPU/GPU, and collaboration across academia and industry.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Physics or related field.
• Strong background in particle physics and radiation detection.
• Experience formulating and solving inverse problems; knowledge of EM.
• Strong numerical methods and linear algebra.
• Hands-on Monte Carlo simulations (Geant4, GATE, MCNP, FLUKA).
• Strong Python and C/C++ programming.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and validate iterative tomographic reconstruction for SPECT and PET imaging.
• Develop and validate Monte Carlo particle transport simulations of imaging systems with system modelling.
• Generate simulated validation PET/SPECT datasets; define quantitative performance metrics and verify accuracy.
• Formulate and solve inverse problems, including accurate system matrix modeling and corrections for physical degradation effects.
• Write high-performance reconstruction code in C/C++ and optimize speed and resources on CPU/GPU hardware.
• Benchmark reconstruction performance with systematic parameter optimization using realistic patient simulations and phantom scans.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate reconstruction workflows into Ascinta's software ecosystem.
• Participate in scientific research activities; contribute to reports, conferences, and publications.

Skills

Inverse problems

Numerical methods

Linear algebra

Python

C/C++

Data analysis

Attention to detail

SPECT reconstruction

PET reconstruction

Regularization techniques

Optimization methods

Noise modeling

GPU programming (CUDA)

Publications

Particle physics concepts

Education

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Physics or related field

Tools

Geant4

GATE

MCNP

FLUKA

Job description

About Us

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally, and based on North American statistics, approximately half of the population will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. At Ascinta, we are developing groundbreaking new algorithms and software that enable scalable, image-guided personalized cancer therapies.

We are an innovative, energetic, and agile company based in Vancouver, BC - one of the World's most livable cities and a growing hub for biotechnology and life sciences industries. We are on a mission to positively transform healthcare through advanced science and technologies, with a particular focus on nuclear medicine, imaging, and theranostics. Our big vision is to enable computing-driven, personalized, and affordable cancer therapy at every clinic in the world.

Position Overview

We are hiring an Applied Physicist to work on the development of SPECT and PET image reconstruction algorithms. The work will involve benchmarking and optimization of established iterative reconstruction methods, physics modeling supported by Monte Carlo simulations, and method validation using simulated, phantom, and clinical datasets. You will work alongside medical physicists, software engineers, and clinical collaborators to translate these methods into production software.

If you enjoy developing new algorithms, solving inverse and computational physics problems, and optimizing code efficiency while making a real impact on healthcare, you are probably a great fit for our team!

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and validate iterative tomographic reconstruction algorithms for quantitative SPECT and PET imaging.
• Develop and validate Monte Carlo particle transport simulations of imaging systems with system modeling.
• Generate simulated validation PET/SPECT datasets; define quantitative performance metrics and verify accuracy under varied conditions.
• Formulate and solve inverse problems, including accurate system matrix modeling and corrections for physical degradation effects.
• Write high-performance reconstruction code in C/C++ (or a comparable systems-level language), and optimize the speed, efficiency, and resource footprint of computationally intensive workloads on modern CPU/GPU hardware.
• Benchmark reconstruction performance with systematic parameter optimization using realistic patient simulations and phantom scans.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate reconstruction workflows into Ascinta's software ecosystem.
• Participate in scientific research activities; contribute to technical reports, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

Minimum Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Medical Physics, Engineering Physics, or a related field.
• Strong background in particle physics: radioactive decay, photon and particle interactions with matter, and radiation detection.
• Experience with formulating and solving inverse problems; fundamental / mathematical understanding of iterative optimization algorithms such as Expectation Maximization.
• Deep understanding of numerical methods and linear algebra.
• Hands-on experience with implementing Monte Carlo particle simulations (e.g. Geant4, GATE, MCNP, FLUKA, or similar).
• Strong programming experience with Python and C/C++ or similar-level compiled languages.
• Proven ability to analyze complex data and make logical, data-informed conclusions.
• Attention to detail with aptitude for granular problem-solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of tomographic image reconstruction algorithms; prior experience with SPECT or PET reconstruction, including attenuation and scatter corrections.
• Experience with regularization techniques and modern optimization methods for large-scale inverse problems.
• Experience with noise modeling.
• Experience with GPU programming (CUDA preferred) and parallel computing.
• Relevant publications in high-impact journals.

Compensation

• Starting annual salary in the range CDN $100,000 - $130,000 depending on prior experience and with annual increases commensurate with performance.
• Stock option package.
• Benefits package.

Why Join Us?

• Cutting-edge innovation: be part of a dynamic and growing company committed to advancing medical technology and patient care.
• Career and professional growth opportunities: we promote and support a culture of continuous learning, certification, and participation in workshops and conferences.
• Dynamic work environment where initiative and innovation are encouraged.
• Healthy work/life balance with flexible work schedule and options for partially remote work.
• Opportunity to participate in collaborative research projects with journal and conference publications.
• Exposure and access to a network of collaborators, advisors, and early adopters in the healthcare industry and academia.
• For qualified international candidates: Canada offers clear immigration pathways, fast-track work permits for skilled tech workers, universal healthcare that isn't tied to your employer, statutory paid vacation and severance, and a safe, inclusive place to live and work.

Location

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Ascinta is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please send a request to [e-mail].

Join us in our mission to save lives by transforming cancer therapy through technology and innovation! We look forward to receiving your application!