Careers at the Forefront of Medicine
Originally formed in 1984 through the merger of the Michael Reese Hospital and UCH radiation therapy programs, the Department of Radiation & Cellular Oncology at the University of Chicago has developed a reputation as one of the leading academic centers in the field of radiation oncology, with its emphasis on developing physician-scientists and fostering basic science, translational, and clinical research.
Scientifically, our faculty research interests include the integration of chemotherapy and surgery with radiotherapy, gene therapy, applications of anti-angiogenic treatments, chemoprevention, the molecular biology of cancer, and the development of novel treatment planning techniques for precision radiotherapy. The department's medical physics faculty has developed advanced software applications to improve clinical efficacy of treatment planning methods. The Physics faculty has industrial collaborations with leading radiotherapy manufacturers for the development of medical software for improved targetry of tumors and IMRT treatment planning. The department maintains approximately $10.4 Million in peer-reviewed grants, contracts, and endowment funding to conduct its basic science and research initiatives.
UCH Cancer Program and departmental clinical enterprise
The Radiation & Cellular Oncology faculty are an integral component of the University of Chicago Hospitals’ Cancer Program, regularly ranked by US News and World Report magazine as one of the leading cancer programs in the United States. The Department faculty also prides itself on having authored and edited two classic textbooks used in our training programs - Dr. Hellman’s textbook “Principles and Practices of Oncology,” and Dr.Weichselbaum’s textbook “Cancer Medicine.”
The Department operates one of the largest academic clinical practices in the metropolitan Chicago area, and provides radiation oncology and cancer care services for approximately 2,000 new patients annually among its four clinical practice sites. The overall mission of the department is to deliver state-of-the-art multidisciplinary cancer care services while also developing new applications in biotechnology and treatment planning software that advance the treatment, care, and cure of oncology patients.
Departmental Mission
To achieve and sustain its mission over the long term, the Department has engendered an entrepreneurial spirit in developing its clinical practices. Since 1993, the department has successfully partnered with the University of Illinois to achieve a broader academic and clinical base while enhancing efficiency through larger economic scale of operation. This unique relationship, which fuses the graduate medical education, patient care, and research of two leading medical schools, is the only one of its kind in the country, and serves as a successful model of cost effective and collaborative academic partnering in healthcare. In October 2004, the Department also deepened its long-standing (since 1986) clinical partnership with the Adventist Midwest Health system through a merger of the radiation oncology practices at the Adventists’ Hinsdale and LaGrange Hospitals, thus becoming the sole radiation oncology group for the Adventist Midwest Health system, a hospital market leader in west suburban Cook and DuPage counties.
Clinical faculty opportunities
We are always interested in hearing from scientists and clinicians with career interests in basic science and clinical research. Full and part-time faculty positions become available periodically. Candidates must be ABR board-certified, or board-eligible radiation oncologists. Desired areas of clinical investigation include: concomitant radio-chemotherapy, biological response modifiers, decision-analysis in oncology, as well as investigation of organ-specific disease sites. Our research laboratory interests include molecular aspects of radioresistance, cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, and correlation of basic laboratory parameters with clinical outcome.
The Department offers attractive start-up packages, continuing budgetary support, as well as protected research time for qualified candidates.Specific rank of faculty appointment offered (from Instructor through Professor) is based on individual qualifications, experience, and professional accomplishments.
The University of Chicago offers a highly competitive compensation and fringe benefits package for qualified candidates, and is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Interested individuals should submit a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interest to:
Ralph Weichselbaum, MD
Chairman and Professor
The University of Chicago
Center for Advanced Medicine
5758 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 9006
Chicago, IL 60637
FAX: 773-834-7233
E-MAIL: rrw at rover.uchicago.edu
Radiobiology and Molecular Biology
Ralph Weichselbaum, MD
Chairman and Professor
773-702-0817
Medical Physics
Contact: Chuck Pelizzari, PhD
Chief, Physics Division
773-702-6841
Technical and Administrative Staff opportunities
We are always looking for well-qualified healthcare professionals to join our team. If you are ready for a new challenge and have the training, experience, and interpersonal skills needed for a busy clinical department, please contact us:
Medical Physics hospital positions (Dosimetry, Equipment Service, MS Physicists, etc.)
Contact: Chuck Pelizzari, PhD
Chief, Physics Division
773-702-6841
Radiation Therapist positions
Contact: Milton Marshall, RTT
Technical Manager
773-702-3308
Nursing positions
Contact: Mrs. Marlene Tunac, RN
Nurse Manager
773-702-6717
Administrative positions
Contact: Mr. Chet Szerlag
Executive Administrator
773-702-3311