Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist: Proton Therapy

The Radiation Oncology Physics Section at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Human Oncology, is seeking faculty/staff physicists to contribute to the next generation of proton therapy. The successful candidate will provide technical clinical support of our state-of-the-art proton therapy program. The proton program includes a Hitachi synchrotron, high-energy beam transport, intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) capability, a gantry room with 360-degree rotation, and a fixed beam room with a first-of-kind upright patient positioning system provided by Leo Cancer Care coupled with on-board dual-energy CT. Each room is equipped with high-precision patient positioning and volumetric x-ray-based image-guidance systems. Real-time image gated particle therapy via fluoroscopic image will be available in the gantry room.

The position will focus primarily on practicing proton physics services provided at the UW Health Cancer Center, Eastpark Medical Center location, which is part of our dual-hub model located on Madison's east side. The 469,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility will open in Fall, 2024 and will also include two Varian TrueBeams, a Varian Edge, a GE MRI-simulator, and an Elekta Flexitron Remote Afterloader coupled with Siemens multi-energy CT on rails. Aria record and verify systems will be fully integrated between our two major hubs. Siemens multi-energy CT and advanced treatment planning via RayStation are implemented to support high precision treatment planning and adaptive replanning.

In collaboration with the Chief Physicist, departmental leadership, and the Director of Proton Physics, incoming proton physics faculty, based on the candidate's interests and accomplishments, will have opportunities for research and teaching activities in alignment with the programmatic goals of the department. UW is a state-of-the-art integrated clinical, research, and training facility, ranked number 1 in Wisconsin in the U.S. News & World Report for the 11th consecutive year, that continually invests in the latest technological advancements. Access to ample preclinical/clinical research imaging and therapeutic systems (Xstrahl SARRP, FLASH, etc.) are available. A preclinical prototype of the upright patient positioning chair is actively available to ready the program for clinical use. Other active research programs include theranostics, artificial intelligence, normal-tissue toxicity assessment, advanced imaging, and automated treatment planning.

In addition to the services provided at our Eastpark location, the UW-Madison campus currently includes a Viewray MRIdian Linac with daily online adaptive radiation therapy, three Varian TrueBeams (one STx), an AccuRay Tomotherapy HDA, and two Elekta Flexitron Remote Afterloaders. We offer a broad range of special procedures, including SRS/SBRT, TBI, TSE, and brachytherapy for a wide range of treatment sites (e.g., GYN, breast, prostate) with MRI-guided planning and BodyTom CT for image verification. Advanced simulation capabilities are routinely integrated into clinical practice including Siemens dual-energy computed tomography and 1.5 T GE MR-simulator units.

The UW-Madison campus, located in the heart of the City of Madison, spans 936 acres along the scenic southern shore of Lake Mendota. Madison is consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the nation to live. The city encourages fitness with 61 miles of designated bike trails and over 146 miles of roads with marked bike lanes. Madison is surrounded by the beauty of four local lakes, has a lively culinary and festival scene, and promotes a healthy work life balance. UW Faculty and Staff also enjoy robust benefits such as the State of Wisconsin benefits package, a diverse campus setting, and a competitive salary.

This position will report to the Chief Physicist and requires interaction with medical staff and faculty in roles including but not limited to:
- Contribute to the commissioning and acceptance of the proton therapy system, associated equipment, and treatment planning processes.
- Implement quality Assurance (QA) programs. Provide calibration, QA, and maintenance of radiation therapy equipment and maintain records.
- Support proton treatment planning techniques and dosimetry team to ensure high quality treatment planning and implement state-of-the-art techniques, including integration of advanced imaging, upright treatment, adaptive therapy, and addressing other clinical needs.
-Participate in routine clinical radiation oncology physics procedures, including treatment planning support, plan checks, patient positioning, special physics consult, chart rounds participation, chart check, on-call physics coverage for proton therapy, and handling equipment repair and maintenance issues.
- Investigate and identify additional clinical challenges in proton therapy, and develop cost-efficient solutions to enhance continuous quality improvement.
-Participate in mentoring and didactic teaching of medical physics residents and other trainees for proton-related clinical training.
-Perform other clinical-related duties as assigned.
-The successful candidate will also participate in professional, public, and university service.

The chosen applicant will participate in administrative and committee work to support the clinical and scholarly missions of UW Health and the School of Medicine and Public Health. An essential part of these duties will be working in a collegial relationship with other faculty members.

The chosen candidate will teach medical students, residents, and fellows.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required
PhD degree in Medical Physics or related field.

Candidates must be certified in Therapeutic/Radiation Oncology Medical Physics by the American Board of Radiology, the American Board of Medical Physics, or the Canadian College of Medical Physics.

Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years of clinical proton experience. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, multi-disciplinary environment are essential.

For appointment at Associate Professor or Professor rank on CHS Track, candidates will meet criteria established by the department and as outlined in the School of Medicine and Public Health guidelines for promotion or appointment to Associate or Professor on the CHS Track.

For an appointment at Clinical Associate Professor or Clinical Professor rank on CT Track, candidates will meet criteria established by the department and as outlined in the School of Medicine and Public Health guidelines for promotion or appointment to Associate or Professor on the CT Track.

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Ongoing/Renewable

AUGUST 21, 2024

Negotiable
ANNUAL (12 months)
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/).

SMPH Academic Staff Benefits flyer: (https://uwmadison.box.com/s/r50myohfvfd15bqltljn0g4laubuz7t0).

This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.

This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with Position Vacancy 302980; please note that only one vacancy exists. Having two position vacancy listings allows the School of Medicine and Public Health to consider candidates with both PhD credentials and Master's degree credentials for this position.

The deadline for assuring full consideration is August 18, 2024, however, this position will remain open and applications may be considered until this position is filled.

Your application must be received through the Jobs at UW portal to be considered as a candidate. Applications submitted outside of this system will not be considered. To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button and use the online UW Job Application system to submit the following:
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A cover letter describing 1) your interest in this position, 2) what you would bring to the Department of Human Oncology, and 3) how the Department could contribute to your career.
- List of contact information for three (3) references, including your current/most recent supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

Kirsten Gragg
kgragg@wisc.edu
608-265-3357
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Clinical Professor(IC009) or Clinical Associate Professor(IC010) or Clinical Assistant Professor(IC011) or Professor (CHS)(IC014) or Associate Professor (CHS)(IC015) or Assistant Professor (CHS)(IC016)

A53-MEDICAL SCHOOL/HUMAN ONCOLOGY/HUMAN ONCO

Academic Staff-Renewable

302979-AS