Detector Scientist – PET Detector Physics

563d Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 103,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Parking/Public transport

Job summary

Siemens Healthineers in the United States seeks a Detector Scientist specializing in PET detector physics to advance next‑generation PET imaging systems. The role is hands‑on and focuses on experimental detector development, validation, and collaboration with R&D and manufacturing teams.

PhD required with postdoctoral experience in PET/SPECT or radiation detectors; strong programming in Python/MATLAB/C/C++; travel domestically and internationally.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or a related experimental science or engineering discipline.
• A minimum of one year of postdoctoral or post‑Ph.D. research and development experience in PET, SPECT, radiation detector development, medical imaging, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of radiation detection principles, detector physics, and experimental measurement techniques.
• Hands‑on experience designing, assembling, testing, and characterizing radiation detector systems.
• Experience with scintillation detectors, photosensors, or related radiation detection instrumentation.
• Experience evaluating detector performance, including timing resolution, energy resolution, sensitivity, and related parameters.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct laboratory experiments, analyze results, and troubleshoot experimental systems.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Conducting research and development activities focused on advanced PET detector technologies and radiation detection systems.
• Designing, building, testing, and characterizing experimental detector systems and laboratory prototypes.
• Planning and executing feasibility studies, technology investigations, simulations, and experimental evaluations to assess detector performance and technical feasibility.
• Investigating detector technologies involving scintillators, photosensors, detector electronics, and signal processing solutions.
• Performing detector performance measurements and characterization, including timing resolution, energy resolution, sensitivity, and related imaging performance parameters.
• Developing experimental methods, test configurations, and data acquisition approaches to support detector research and validation.
• Analyzing experimental data, identifying performance limitations, troubleshooting technical issues, and recommending improvements to detector designs and configurations.
• Supporting detector development activities throughout the product lifecycle, including concept development, prototype evaluation, system integration, manufacturing support, and product improvements.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across R&D, systems engineering, manufacturing, quality, and product management to advance detector technologies toward product implementation.
• Working with external technology suppliers, academic institutions, and research collaborators to investigate emerging detector technologies and support future innovation initiatives.
• Documenting and communicating technical findings through scientific reports, presentations, publications, and invention disclosures.
• Contributing to the development and evaluation of future PET detector technologies and supporting the broader technology roadmap.

Skills

PET detectors

Radiation detection

Detector electronics

Data acquisition

Python programming

MATLAB

C/C++

Education

PhD in Biomedical Engineering/Physics/Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

LabVIEW

Job description

Join us in pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. Our inspiring and caring environment forms a global community that celebrates diversity and individuality. We encourage you to step beyond your comfort zone, offering resources and flexibility to foster your professional and personal growth, all while valuing your unique contributions.

As a Detector Scientist specializing in PET Detector Physics, you will contribute to the research, development, and experimental validation of advanced detector technologies for next‑generation Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging systems. This position combines expertise in radiation detection, detector physics, experimental methods, and scientific data analysis with hands-on laboratory research and detector characterization. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering and scientific teams to investigate emerging detector technologies, evaluate performance, and support the development of innovative solutions that advance molecular imaging capabilities.

This is a hands-on, individual contributor research and development position. Active laboratory work, including experimental setup, detector testing, performance characterization, troubleshooting, and validation, is an essential part of the role. This position does not include direct people management or formal project management responsibilities.

You are responsible for:

• Conducting research and development activities focused on advanced PET detector technologies and radiation detection systems.


• Designing, building, testing, and characterizing experimental detector systems and laboratory prototypes.


• Planning and executing feasibility studies, technology investigations, simulations, and experimental evaluations to assess detector performance and technical feasibility.


• Investigating detector technologies involving scintillators, photosensors, detector electronics, and signal processing solutions.


• Performing detector performance measurements and characterization, including timing resolution, energy resolution, sensitivity, and related imaging performance parameters.


• Developing experimental methods, test configurations, and data acquisition approaches to support detector research and validation.


• Analyzing experimental data, identifying performance limitations, troubleshooting technical issues, and recommending improvements to detector designs and configurations.


• Supporting detector development activities throughout the product lifecycle, including concept development, prototype evaluation, system integration, manufacturing support, and product improvements.


• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across R&D, systems engineering, manufacturing, quality, and product management to advance detector technologies toward product implementation.


• Working with external technology suppliers, academic institutions, and research collaborators to investigate emerging detector technologies and support future innovation initiatives.


• Documenting and communicating technical findings through scientific reports, presentations, publications, and invention disclosures.


• Contributing to the development and evaluation of future PET detector technologies and supporting the broader technology roadmap.

You will be successful in this role if you have:

• Strong understanding of PET detector technologies, radiation detection principles, and the physics governing detector performance.


• Hands‑on experience designing, assembling, testing, and characterizing detector systems in a laboratory or research environment.


• Familiarity with scintillation detectors, photosensors, radiation detection instrumentation, and detector performance evaluation.


• Experience with detector electronics, signal processing, data acquisition systems, and experimental measurement techniques.


• Experience conducting laboratory experiments, collecting scientific data, and interpreting detector performance results.


• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar tools.


• Ability to investigate technical challenges, troubleshoot experimental setups, and communicate research findings effectively.


• Experience working collaboratively with engineers, scientists, academic researchers, and external technology partners.


• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills, with a demonstrated interest in experimental research and medical imaging innovation.

Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or a related experimental science or engineering discipline.

A minimum of one year of postdoctoral or post‑Ph.D. research and development experience in PET, SPECT, radiation detector development, medical imaging, or a closely related field.

Strong understanding of radiation detection principles, detector physics, and experimental measurement techniques.

Hands‑on experience designing, assembling, testing, and characterizing radiation detector systems.

Experience with scintillation detectors, photosensors, or related radiation detection instrumentation.

Experience evaluating detector performance, including timing resolution, energy resolution, sensitivity, and related parameters.

Demonstrated ability to conduct laboratory experiments, analyze results, and troubleshoot experimental systems.

Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Who we are:

We are a team of more than 72,000 highly dedicated Healthineers in more than 70 countries. As a leader in medical technology, we constantly push the boundaries to create better outcomes and experiences for patients, no matter where they live or what health issues they are facing. Our portfolio is crucial for clinical decision‑making and treatment pathways.

How we work:

When you join Siemens Healthineers, you become one in a global team of scientists, clinicians, developers, researchers, professionals, and skilled specialists, who believe in each individual’s potential to contribute with diverse ideas. We are from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, political and/or sexual orientations, and work together, to fight the world’s most threatening diseases and enable access to care, united by one purpose: to pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.

The base pay range for this position is: $102,870 - $141,449. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Commissions are based on individual performance and/or company performance. If this is a commission eligible position the commission eligibility will be in accordance with the terms of the Company's plan.

Benefits

• medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan.


• life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, paid parking/public transportation, paid time off, paid sick and safe time.

Siemens Healthineers is an Equal Opportunity and Affiantive Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

Applicants and employees are protected under Federal law from discrimination. To learn more, click here.

Reasonable Accommodations: Siemens Healthineers is committed to equal employment opportunity. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing a job application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please fill out the accommodations form here.

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Export Control: \"A successful candidate must be able to work with controlled technology in accordance with US export control law.\" \"It is Siemens Healthineers policy to comply fully and completely with all United States export control laws and regulations, including those implemented by the Department of Commerce through the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), by the Department of State through the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and by the Treasury Department through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions regulations.\"

We are part of an incredible community of scientists, clinicians, developers, researchers, professionals, and skilled specialists pushing the boundaries of what's possible, to improve people’s lives around the world. We embrace a culture of inclusivity in which the power and potential of every individual can be unleashed. We spark ideas that lead to positive impact and continued success.