R&D Medical Physicist (On-site, Palo Alto, CA)
Siemens Healthineers
Summary
Varian Medical Systems, a Siemens Healthineers company is hiring an R&D Medical Physicist to strengthen our Engineering Physics team, developing next generation radiation therapy linear accelerators. This role focuses on dosimetry physics, radiation physics, and medical physics, ensuring accurate, defensible, and compliant beam performance through rigorous measurement, analysis, and verification. This role is designed to be onsite in Palo Alto, California.
Job description
What You will do
- Own and execute dosimetry and radiation-physics analyses supporting beam performance, safety, and compliance.
- Translate clinical medical-physics principles into physics-based requirements, acceptance criteria, and verification methods.
- Design and perform high-accuracy radiation measurements (ion chambers, solid-state detectors, films, arrays), with strong uncertainty discipline.
- Apply radiation transport modeling (analytical and/or Monte Carlo) to understand dose, collimation, scatter, leakage, and shielding.
- Produce clear, traceable, first-time-right physics conclusions suitable for QMS, IEC verification, and regulatory review.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory partners to close physics risks early.
What You will have
- PhD in Physics, Medical Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or closely related field (required).
- 2+ years of experience in radiation-therapy system R&D, beam dosimetry, accelerator physics, or related fields.
- Strong foundation in dosimetry physics, radiation physics, and medical physics.
- Demonstrated ability to perform high-accuracy measurements, analyze data quantitatively, and assess uncertainties.
- Demonstrated experience performing Monte Carlo radiation-transport calculations for hardware development, such as collimation, shielding, or leakage analysis (e.g., using Geant4, or equivalent).
- Technical rigor, critical thinking, and sound physics judgment, especially in safety- and compliance-critical work.
- Clear written and verbal communication of complex physics concepts.
What will set You apart
- Applied radiation-transport expertise in shielding, collimation, and beam modeling (x-ray, electron, and secondary radiation fields), with clear connections between simulation and measurement.
- Clinical medical-physics intuition, such as LINAC commissioning, QA, or end-to-end dosimetric validation, and understanding of patient-dose implications.
- Disciplined use of Monte Carlo and analytical methods, validating models against data rather than treating simulation as a black box.
- Strong quantitative analysis skills using Python, MATLAB, Excel, or similar tools, with emphasis on uncertainty evaluation and defensible conclusions.
- System-level beam understanding, including familiarity with beam generation, monitoring/controlling, treatment-planning systems, and source/beam modeling assumptions.
- Evidence of technical leadership or innovation, such as publications, patents, conference contributions, or impactful internal technical work demonstrating rigor and ownership.
Requirements
- PhD in Physics, Medical Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or closely related field (required).
- 2+ years of experience in radiation-therapy system R&D, beam dosimetry, accelerator physics, or related fields.
- Strong foundation in dosimetry physics, radiation physics, and medical physics.
- Demonstrated ability to perform high-accuracy measurements, analyze data quantitatively, and assess uncertainties.
- Demonstrated experience performing Monte Carlo radiation-transport calculations for hardware development, such as collimation, shielding, or leakage analysis (e.g., using Geant4, or equivalent).
- Technical rigor, critical thinking, and sound physics judgment, especially in safety- and compliance-critical work.
- Clear written and verbal communication of complex physics concepts.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Short-term disability insurance
- Paid parking
- Public transportation
- Paid time off
- Paid sick and safe time
Company overview
Siemens Healthineers is a German multinational medical technology company specializing in diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and molecular medicine. Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Siemens AG, the company has established itself as a global leader in healthcare technology with a comprehensive portfolio that addresses the complete care continuum for many of the world's most threatening diseases. With approximately 69,500 employees worldwide and operations in over 70 countries, Siemens Healthineers generates annual revenues exceeding €21 billion. The company's product offerings span across four main business segments: Imaging (including CT, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray systems), Diagnostics (laboratory and point-of-care testing), Varian (cancer care and radiation therapy), and Advanced Therapies. Siemens Healthineers is particularly renowned for pioneering breakthroughs in medical imaging, having developed the world's first commercial PET/CT scanner and continuing to innovate in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital health solutions, and precision therapy. The company's commitment to research and development, with annual investments of approximately €1.5 billion, drives its mission to pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare for everyone, everywhere, sustainably.