Director of Clinical Proton Physics Operations

Overview

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is seeking an experienced and operationally focused Director of Clinical Proton Physics Operations to lead the day-to-day clinical physics activities of its advanced proton radiation therapy program and to enhance research & development and teaching

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.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is seeking an experienced and operationally focused Director of Clinical Proton Physics Operations to lead the day-to-day clinical physics activities of its advanced proton radiation therapy program and to enhance research & development and teaching. This leadership role is centered on the practical delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality proton therapy, using a fixed horizontal beam delivery, combined with adaptable, upright patient positioning, and treatment guidance using vertical computed tomography (CT) —a new proton facility that will be operational at DFCI in approximately two years.

The Director will have primary responsibility for clinical proton physics operations, including treatment planning workflows, patient positioning and immobilization strategies, image guidance with upright CT, machine and patient-specific quality assurance, commissioning and maintenance oversight, and continuous optimization of clinical protocols. This role ensures that proton therapy is delivered reliably and safely in a clinical environment that integrates non-traditional geometry and workflows with routine patient care.

Key responsibilities include leadership of the clinical proton physics team; oversight of daily clinical coverage and staffing; development and implementation of robust QA programs tailored to fixed horizontal beam delivery and upright imaging; review and approval of complex proton treatment plans; and leadership of incident learning, root-cause analysis, and corrective action processes. The Director will work closely with radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists, therapists, engineers, and vendors to ensure accurate dose delivery, reproducible upright patient setup, efficient clinical throughput, and seamless integration of upright CT into planning and verification workflows.

The position will also oversee acceptance testing, commissioning, and periodic recalibration of proton delivery and imaging systems. The Director will partner with institutional leadership on operational planning, resource allocation, accreditation and regulatory compliance, and long-term clinical strategy for the proton program.

Qualified candidates will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in medical physics or a related field and must be ABR-certified (or equivalent). Candidates should have substantial hands-on experience in clinical proton therapy operations, a strong background in pencil-beam scanning systems, and demonstrated leadership in managing complex clinical workflows. Experience with fixed-beam systems, novel patient positioning paradigms, or advanced image-guided proton therapy is desirable. An academic appointment at Harvard Medical School at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, commensurate with experience and accomplishments, is available pending final approval by the Dean of HMS.

This role offers an opportunity to lead the clinical physics operations of a pioneering proton therapy program, ensuring excellence in daily patient care while advancing innovative treatment paradigms at one of the world’s leading cancer centers.

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. 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.  

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).