Our research team is looking for a talented researcher whose responsibilities would primarily include the research and development of algorithmic solutions to optimal radiation cancer treatment planning and delivery in the next generation rotating-shield brachytherapy (RSBT) for cancer treatment.  The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to develop novel convex optimization algorithms for radiation dose optimization in brachytherapy treatment planning, and to develop novel graph-theoretic combinatorial optimization algorithms for optimizing brachytherapy treatment delivery quality.

In recent years, our team has collaborated closely and successfully on pioneering the preliminary development of RSBT systems for cervical and prostate cancer. One of our major seed papers on interstitial RSBT has been selected to receive the Moses and Sylvia Greenfield Paper Award for best non-dosimetry paper published in Medical Physics in 2014. The research to be performed by the postdoctoral fellow will lay solid theoretical foundations for optimal RSBT treatment planning and delivery, and will help pave the way for using RSBT in clinical practices.

In addition to brachytherapy treatment planning and delivery, this research will draw diverse techniques from a number of theoretical areas such as continuous mathematical optimization, compressed sensing, sparse recovery, graph algorithms, computational geometry, combinatorial optimization, discrete mathematics, information theory and operations research.  This postdoctoral fellowship provides an opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary team of faculty collaborators across the University of Iowa, including faculty members from Department of Radiation Oncology and Iowa Institute of Biomedical Imaging (IIBI). This research will also expose the postdoctoral fellow to a more general theme of using convex optimization and combinatorial algorithms for medical applications and medical big data analytics.

The ideal candidate must be highly self-motivated and has a strong background in mathematical optimization and computational science. Proven ability to work independently and experience in algorithm designs for medical applications or compressed sensing (especially first-order optimization algorithms for sparse recovery) are considered to be important assets for this position.  Interest in design, analysis and applications of computer algorithms is expected. The candidate is also expected to be willing to work in a cross-disciplinary environment.  Good communication as well as writing skills is desirable.  Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematical Optimization, Operations Research or a closely related field.

The position is for one year in the first instance, and has the potential to be extended for suitably qualified candidates if skills, interest and performance allow. This position is immediately available and will start at a mutually agreed upon date.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

The application must include the following:

• Cover letter highlighting his/her suitability for this position;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Up to three selected preprints/reprints most relevant to this position;
• Two letters of reference.

The application should be sent to Dr. Xiaodong Wu and Dr. Weiyu Xu at the address below (email applications only). The position is available until filled.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.