Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Pediatric Upright Proton Therapy

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; 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 upright proton therapy techniques for pediatric brain and craniospinal irradiation (CSI). The role includes treatment planning, immobilization, patient positioning, image guidance, and end-to-end testing to support safe clinical implementation.

You will collaborate with medical physicists, radiation oncologists, imaging scientists, engineers, and industry partners, and contribute to publications

Qualifications

• PhD in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Imaging or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop upright treatment-planning strategies for pediatric brain and craniospinal irradiation (CSI).
• Perform comparative dosimetric studies evaluating upright proton therapy vs conventional techniques.
• Assess target coverage, dose homogeneity, plan robustness, and organ-at-risk sparing.
• Contribute to age-appropriate upright immobilization systems for pediatric patients.
• Quantify positioning accuracy and reproducibility using upright CT and other imaging technologies.
• Conduct end-to-end testing to support safe clinical implementation.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of medical physicists, radiation oncologists, imaging scientists, engineers, and industry partners.
• Present research findings at major scientific conferences.
• Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications arising from the project.

Skills

Proton therapy

Pediatric radiation therapy

Treatment planning

Dosimetric analysis

Immobilization systems

Image guidance

Programming

Education

PhD in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Imaging

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow: Brain and Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) Techniques for Upright Proton Therapy in Pediatric Patients

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support the development and validation of upright proton therapy techniques for pediatric brain and craniospinal irradiation (CSI).

This research will focus on establishing practical, reproducible methods for upright proton therapy using an upright proton therapy system, including treatment planning, pediatric immobilization, patient positioning, image guidance, and treatment delivery. The goal of this work is to advance safe and effective clinical implementation for pediatric 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop upright treatment-planning strategies for pediatric brain and craniospinal irradiation
• Perform comparative dosimetric studies evaluating upright proton therapy versus conventional treatment techniques
• Assess:
  • target coverage
  • dose homogeneity
  • plan robustness
  • organ-at-risk sparing
• Contribute to the design and evaluation of age-appropriate upright immobilization systems for pediatric patients
• Quantify positioning accuracy and reproducibility using upright CT and other imaging technologies
• Conduct end-to-end testing to support safe clinical implementation
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of:
  • medical physicists
  • radiation oncologists
  • imaging scientists
  • engineers
  • industry partners
• Present research findings at major scientific conferences
• Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications arising from the project

Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

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

• Proton therapy
• Pediatric radiation therapy
• Treatment planning
• Dosimetric analysis
• Immobilization systems
• Image guidance
• Programming

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and driven researcher with a strong interest in advancing innovative radiation therapy techniques for pediatric patients. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of medical physics, imaging, engineering, and clinical translation in a highly collaborative academic environment.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusiveenvironment 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 compassionateprofessionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

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.

EEO Poster

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