What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Proton Medical Physicist position at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Posting Information
Department
Radiation Oncology - Hospital - 413004
Posting Open Date
03/06/2026
Application Deadline
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Type
Permanent Faculty
Working Title
Lead Proton Medical Physicist
Appointment Type
Open Rank
Vacancy ID
FAC0005841
Full-time/Part-time
Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week
40
FTE
1
Position Location
North Carolina, US
Hiring Range
Dependent on Experience
Proposed Start Date
09/01/2026
Position Information
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.
One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events.
UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.
Position Summary
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of North Carolina is seeking a lead faculty proton medical physicist for the North Carolina Cancer Center. The North Carolina Cancer Center is a member of the UNC Health Care System and is located in Chapel Hill, NC.
The North Carolina Cancer Center is currently staffed with 13 Radiation Oncologists, 7 Dosimetrists, 12 Medical Physicists, and 1 IT specialist. The North Carolina Cancer Center clinic is equipped with 3 Elekta accelerators, a CyberKnife system, a Mobetron intraoperative accelerator, an Elekta HDR system, a VariSeed LDR prostate system, a Philips large bore CT simulator, and a recently installed Philips MR simulator. The Center is in the process of installing a Varian TrueBeam. A Mevion S250-FIT Proton Therapy System is due to be installed in 2027. Clinical treatment planning systems (TPS) include Raystation TPS, Accuray Precision TPS for CyberKnife, Oncentra HDR Brachy TPS, and VariSeed LDR Brachy TPS. Ancillary systems include VisionRT.
Construction on the vault to house the Mevion S250-FIT Proton Therapy System will commence in 2026, with installation scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2027. The lead proton faculty physicist is expected to start as early as September 2026 to work with Mevion and project management teams to ensure project success. A secondary proton faculty physicist (to be hired) would ideally begin in the same timeframe. Both the lead and secondary proton faculty physicists will work collaboratively with appropriate stakeholders to establish the infrastructure, workflows, and Policies and Procedures required for physics-related tasks and patient treatments.
The successful candidate is expected to be actively involved in a broad range of clinical, research, and teaching activities within the Department and the School of Medicine.
The North Carolina Cancer Center is currently staffed with 13 Radiation Oncologists, 7 Dosimetrists, 12 Medical Physicists, and 1 IT specialist. The North Carolina Cancer Center clinic is equipped with 3 Elekta accelerators, a CyberKnife system, a Mobetron intraoperative accelerator, an Elekta HDR system, a VariSeed LDR prostate system, a Philips large bore CT simulator, and a recently installed Philips MR simulator. The Center is in the process of installing a Varian TrueBeam. A Mevion S250-FIT Proton Therapy System is due to be installed in 2027. Clinical treatment planning systems (TPS) include Raystation TPS, Accuray Precision TPS for CyberKnife, Oncentra HDR Brachy TPS, and VariSeed LDR Brachy TPS. Ancillary systems include VisionRT.
Construction on the vault to house the Mevion S250-FIT Proton Therapy System will commence in 2026, with installation scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2027. The lead proton faculty physicist is expected to start as early as September 2026 to work with Mevion and project management teams to ensure project success. A secondary proton faculty physicist (to be hired) would ideally begin in the same timeframe. Both the lead and secondary proton faculty physicists will work collaboratively with appropriate stakeholders to establish the infrastructure, workflows, and Policies and Procedures required for physics-related tasks and patient treatments.
The successful candidate is expected to be actively involved in a broad range of clinical, research, and teaching activities within the Department and the School of Medicine.
- Clinical duties: The lead proton faculty physicist will work with and oversee the secondary proton faculty physicist during acceptance and commissioning of the Mevion S250-FIT system, acquisition of dosimetry data, and commissioning of proton treatment planning in RayStation. Once the proton therapy system becomes operational, the successful candidate will lead clinical proton therapy physics services. Responsibilities include ensuring the accurate and safe delivery of proton radiation treatments and maintaining the safety of patients and treatment staff.
- Research: The successful candidate must be motivated to actively pursue research opportunities with the potential to secure extramural funding.
- Residency Program: The department supports a CAMPEP-accredited Medical Physics Residency Program and, as such, mentoring of residents is expected.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
The successful candidate for this position must have the following qualifications: (1) a PhD in Medical Physics/Physics/Engineering or related field; (2) be ABR/ABMP board certified; and (3) have graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited residency.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The ideal candidate should have strong technical skills, a commitment to research and teaching, and excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.