The Radiation Oncology department began in 1997. The Radiation Oncology Medical Physics in Carbon Therapy Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic in Florida will have its first fellow/resident in 2026.

Positions

One position is available on a competitive basis each year in the Radiation Oncology Medical Physics in Carbon Therapy Fellowship at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida.

Qualifications

To be eligible for the Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Residency, you must have a Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in medical physics, physics, or a related science or engineering field. A Ph.D. degree in experimental physics is an asset.

This fellowship is highly competitive due to its focus on Carbon-Ion Radiation Therapy (CIRT), a specialized and emerging treatment modality available only at Mayo Clinic in Florida in the U.S. Successful applicants typically demonstrate strong foundational knowledge in medical physics or a related field, along with prior research or clinical exposure to radiation therapy concepts.

To maximize an application, candidates should highlight relevant research, technical skills in treatment planning or quality assurance, and a clear commitment to advancing particle therapy.

Strong letters of recommendation and a well-articulated career goal aligned with CIRT are also important factors in a successful application.

Also see general admissions requirements.

How to apply

The academic year begins July 1.

The application and all supporting documentation must be submitted by Dec. 20 of the year preceding the program start date.

The program uses an online application system sponsored by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and participates in the Medical Physics Matching Program.

1. To register, visit the MedPhys Match website.You will need the assigned NMS ID number for the next step.
2. To apply to the program, visit the National Matching Service, Inc. In addition to the standard materials, this program requires:
• A curriculum vitae. Describe your activities with professional societies, publications, and any other relevant information about your education or experience.
• A personal statement of professional goals.
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts. These should show the degree earned and date conferred from each graduate school you attended. Non-final transcripts are acceptable if the final degree is in progress. Provide certified or notarized English translations of documents written in a language other than English.
• Three original letters of recommendation. These should be from faculty members, including your thesis adviser, who are thoroughly familiar with your work. Each letter should include the writer's opinion of your professional, academic and personal qualifications, as well as his or her opinion on your potential for success in the field of medical physics.
3. Applicants considered for an appointment will be invited to participate in a virtual interview with the program director and selected faculty. Interviews are conducted in February each year.
4. For those offered positions, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education requires a copy of the Ph.D. diploma and final official transcripts.

Rotation	Length
Computational Radiation Biology Aspects of CIRT	3 months
Radiation Treatment Planning for CIRT	3 months
Quality Assurance and Quality Control of the CIRT System	3 months
Clinical Application of CIRT	3 months

Computational Radiation Biology Aspects of CIRT: This rotation focuses on the biological mechanisms underlying Carbon-Ion Radiation Therapy (CIRT), including microdosimetric spectra, cell survival modeling, and radiation biology principles. Fellows learn to use simulation tools to model radiation interactions and validate findings through experimental or measurement-based approaches. The rotation emphasizes understanding different biological models, their clinical implications, and how they inform treatment decisions.

Radiation Treatment Planning for CIRT: During this rotation, fellows develop expertise in the planning and simulation of CIRT treatments, including patient-specific modifications. Training includes robust optimization techniques, density corrections, and the application of dual-energy CT in treatment planning. Fellows also learn beam delivery strategies, such as gantry versus fixed beam approaches, and how these impact treatment outcomes.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control of the CIRT System: This rotation provides hands-on experience in ensuring the safety and accuracy of the CIRT system through mechanical, radiation, and patient-specific quality assurance processes. Fellows shadow and assist board-certified medical physicists in performing routine QA/QC procedures, including weekly and monthly checks. The focus is on understanding standard operating procedures and maintaining high standards for safe clinical delivery.

Clinical Application of CIRT: The clinical application rotation immerses fellows in real-world workflows, where they observe and assist in roles such as dosimetry, machine physics, and simulation. Fellows gain practical insight into how CIRT is delivered in a clinical setting and how each physics role supports patient care. This rotation emphasizes applying technical knowledge in daily clinical operations under the guidance of experienced medical physicists.

• Physics Journal Club: Virtual and organized by the Rochester fellowship program director.
• Physics Division Meeting: Physics team meets to discuss technology updates, workflow processes and items from our safety and incident learning system, along with any technology overview trainings and implementations.  
• Radiation Oncology Research Open Forum: A member of the radiation oncology team presents current research efforts, or an invited faculty member at Mayo Clinic presents services or resources that may benefit our faculty performing research.

Trainees engage in research throughout the fellowship under the mentorship of a faculty advisor, with dedicated time integrated into each rotation. Research opportunities span biological, technological, and clinical aspects of Carbon-Ion Radiation Therapy, allowing fellows to contribute to advancing both scientific understanding and clinical application of this emerging modality.

A unique aspect of this program is its focus on CIRT, which is not currently available at other institutions in the U.S. This provides fellows with a rare opportunity to contribute to pioneering research across biological, technological, and clinical domains of particle therapy, helping to shape the future of this advanced cancer treatment approach.

Mentorship

Trainees are paired with a faculty research mentor who provides guidance throughout the fellowship, particularly in the development and execution of a CIRT-related research project. Mentorship includes support in clinical learning, research design, and professional development within the multidisciplinary care environment

Evaluation

To ensure that you acquire adequate knowledge and develop the appropriate technical skills to meet program expectations, your performance is monitored carefully during the program. You are evaluated formally by the supervising faculty member after each clinical rotation, and you will meet with the program director to review these evaluations. In addition, you will also regularly evaluate the faculty to ensure that your educational needs are being met.

Trainees will spend their time in the Duan Family Building and the fellow workroom. This is home to the first carbon ion therapy program in the Western Hemisphere, alongside proton and photon therapies—offering multiple advanced ways to treat the same tumor.

Features advanced imaging and precision radiation systems, including technology capable of targeting tumors with extreme accuracy while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Designed to bring radiology, radiation oncology, and treatment planning together in one space, creating a seamless, patient-centered cancer care experience. 

The department consists of radiation oncologists and medical physicists. The Medical Physics Division specifically has 13 faculty members. Our trainee will interact with the majority of the faculty on a daily basis throughout the year.

Faculty in the program demonstrate a strong commitment to trainee development through direct supervision, hands-on teaching, and longitudinal mentorship throughout the fellowship. Trainees work closely with board-certified medical physicists across all rotations, receiving consistent guidance in both clinical practice and research activities.

Faculty also support trainees in the development and completion of a CIRT-related research project, ensuring continuous academic and professional growth

	Chunjoo Park, Ph.D. Dr. Park is an assistant professor in radiation oncology with expertise in adaptive radiation therapy and medical physics. He has played a key role in developing advanced radiation therapy programs, including MRI-guided adaptive therapy and has led one of the nation’s largest adaptive radiotherapy programs. He currently leads efforts at Mayo Clinic in Florida to develop the world’s first heavy ion–based adaptive radiation therapy program. View full profile
	Jun Tan, Ph.D. Dr. Tan is a medical physicist specializing in radiation oncology and adaptive radiation therapy. He completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering and training in therapeutic medical physics before joining Mayo Clinic Florida. His work focuses on clinical applications, quality assurance, and the integration of artificial intelligence in radiation therapy. View full profile
	Xiaoying Liang, Ph.D. Dr. Liang is a board-certified medical physicist specializing in radiation oncology and particle therapy. She earned her Ph.D. in nuclear physics and has extensive experience in proton and advanced radiation therapies. She is actively involved in national and international research collaborations and leadership roles in medical physics organizations. View full profile
	Sridhar Yaddanapudi, Ph.D. Dr. Yaddanapudi is a board-certified medical physicist specializing in radiation oncology and medical physics. He earned his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering with a focus on medical physics and completed residency training in radiation oncology physics. He is actively involved in clinical practice, research, and national professional organizations in the field of radiation therapy. View full profile