Medical Physicist - Director of Research

Medical Physicist – Director of Research

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s leading cancer care organization, caring for more patients each year than any other facility in the region. With strategic hospital and physician partnerships, we are delivering on our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. Mary Bird Perkins and its partners work together to provide state‑of‑the‑art treatments and unparalleled collaborative, comprehensive cancer services.

This culture of innovation attracts the best cancer minds in the country, from expert physicians and highly specialized scientists to forward‑thinking leaders in supportive care and other disciplines. Together, with our hospital and physician partners, we are one‑hundred percent focused on cancer care.

SCOPE
We seek an experienced and visionary medical physicist with a strong research background in radiation therapy to lead pioneering research initiatives within our institution’s Radiation Oncology Department. This pivotal role involves spearheading innovative projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing the strategic direction of research efforts in medical physics and radiation therapy.

The ideal candidate is a clinical or academic medical physicist with demonstrated expertise in radiation oncology and radiation therapy physics. Experience working in an academic medical center or comprehensive cancer care setting is strongly preferred. Candidates should bring a passion for translational research, mentorship, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of medical physics.

• PhD in Medical Physics or a closely related field (e.g., Radiation Physics with a specialization in Medical Physics) required.
• Certification or eligibility for certification by the American Board of Radiology (A ) or the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) in Therapeutic Medical Physics is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience conducting research in radiation therapy physics, with a strong record of peer‑reviewed publications and successful grant acquisition.
• Proven leadership and mentorship skills in academic or clinical research settings.
• Proficiency in research project management, budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Deep understanding of regulatory requirements and ethical considerations in clinical research.

• Leadership and Innovation:
  Drive and manage research initiatives, identifying key areas for advancement in medical and radiation therapy physics. Integrate research with clinical practice to optimize academic medical physics.
• Strategic Planning:
  Develop and execute a research strategy aligned with institutional goals. Identify and pursue funding opportunities through compelling grant proposals.
• Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:
  Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and policies governing radiation therapy research. Submit quarterly reports and oversee annual research activities.
• Research Dissemination:
  Publish findings in high‑impact journals and present at national/international conferences (e.g., AAPM, ASTRO).
• Collaboration and Advocacy:
  Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across MBPCC, LSU, and external research institutes. Serve as a national advocate for medical physics research.

• Chair the Research Committee and collaborate with various research and graduate programs (MSc, PhD, postdoctoral).
• Serve as liaison with government, non‑governmental, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent the department at national medical physics and radiation oncology research meetings.
• Support departmental academic events, including research seminars and graduate research day.

• Strengthen ties with the LSU Graduate Medical Physics Program.
• Create faculty development and research opportunities.
• Promote secure and ethical sharing of clinical data for research and quality improvement.
• Support accreditation processes and institutional review initiatives.

• Provide mentorship to research faculty, graduate…