Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Adaptive Proton Therapy Workflow

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop and validate an adaptive upright proton therapy workflow. The role focuses on integrating upright CT imaging with an upright proton therapy system to enable anatomical assessment, dose recalculation, and adaptive plan changes throughout treatment.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or Computer Science and will work with medical physicists, radiation oncologists, imaging

Qualifications

• PhD in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science or closely related field.
• Experience in medical physics, imaging, automation, and treatment planning is desirable.
• Strong analytical and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate an adaptive proton therapy workflow for upright treatment.
• Conduct phantom, volunteer, and potentially patient-based studies.
• Evaluate upright positioning and anatomical changes over the course of treatment.
• Develop automated tools for image registration, dose evaluation, adaptive planning, and quality assurance.
• Perform end-to-end validation of the full adaptive workflow.
• Establish quantitative criteria for triggering plan adaptation.
• Collaborate with medical physicists, radiation oncologists, imaging scientists, engineers, and industry partners.
• Present findings at major scientific meetings and lead publications.

Skills

Image registration

Programming

Proton therapy

Education

PhD in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Adaptive Proton Therapy Workflow

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop and validate an adaptive proton therapy workflow for upright proton treatment. This project will focus on integrating upright CT imaging with an upright proton therapy system to support anatomical assessment, dose recalculation, dose accumulation, adaptive decision-making, and plan adaptation throughout the course of treatment. The goal is to create an accurate, reproducible, and clinically efficient adaptive workflow for both pediatric and adult patients.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and validate an adaptive proton therapy workflow for upright treatment


• Conduct phantom, volunteer, and potentially patient-based studies


• Evaluate upright positioning and anatomical changes over the course of treatment


• Develop automated tools for:
  
  
  
  • image registration
  
  
  • dose evaluation
  
  
  • adaptive planning
  
  
  • quality assurance
  
  
  
  


• Perform end-to-end validation of the full adaptive workflow


• Establish quantitative criteria for determining when plan adaptation should be triggered


• Support development of a clinically efficient workflow for adaptive upright proton therapy


• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of:
  
  
  
  • medical physicists
  
  
  • radiation oncologists
  
  
  • imaging scientists
  
  
  • engineers
  
  
  • industry collaborators
  
  
  
  


• Present findings at major scientific meetings


• Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications resulting from the project

Qualifications

• PhD in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Radiation therapy


• Medical imaging


• Image registration


• Treatment planning


• Proton therapy


• Programming


• Workflow automation

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and innovative researcher with a strong interest in advancing adaptive radiation therapy workflows and supporting the clinical translation of upright proton treatment technologies. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of medical physics, imaging, automation, and clinical implementation.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$72,000.00 - $76,385.00