Research Opportunities in Medical Physics

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Research that connects physics, technology and patient care

Medical Physics is an interdisciplinary field that applies physics, engineering, computing and mathematical methods to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. At UWA, Medical Physics research is strongly connected with clinical practice, particularly in radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine. Our research aims to develop and evaluate technologies and methods that can improve the accuracy, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare.

A distinctive feature of Medical Physics research at UWA is the close collaboration between university researchers, clinical medical physicists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine specialists, engineers and other health professionals. This provides students with the opportunity to work on real clinical problems and to understand how research can be translated into practical applications.

Research opportunities are supported by access to clinical and research facilities including the radiation oncology department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, clinical linear accelerators, CyberKnife, brachytherapy, CT, PET, SPECT and MRI facilities, dosimetry equipment, 3D printing technologies and high-performance computational resources for AI and Monte Carlo modelling.

The UWA Medical Physics Group has a strong record of translating research into clinical practice. Examples include the clinical implementation of 3D-printed brachytherapy applicators and customised 3D-printed bolus, the use of metal-artifact-reduction CT for radiotherapy planning, advanced lung radiotherapy, and the application of AI for auto-segmentation and advanced lung cancer treatment. Many other examples also demonstrate the breadth of our research translation. Some of these projects have progressed from student research, through peer-reviewed publication, to implementation in clinical practice.

Many Masters students are encouraged and supported to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals. Students also develop their scientific communication skills through research presentations, manuscript-writing activities and interaction with clinical and research collaborators. These experiences provide valuable evidence of research capability when applying for clinical training positions, PhD programs, research positions and employment in the medical technology and healthcare industries. Outlined below are the major research areas of the UWA Medical Physics Research Group, and students are encouraged to discuss further with the either Pejman or Jake (contact details at the end of this document).

 

 

 Major Research Areas

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Medical Imaging and Cancer Treatment

Examples of research topics

• Artificial intelligence for cancer detection and diagnosis

• Automatic tumour and organ segmentation

• Deep learning for medical image analysis

• AI-assisted radiotherapy treatment planning

• Prediction of tumour response and treatment outcomes

• Radiomics and quantitative imaging

• Prediction of patient-specific tumour motion

• AI for quality assurance and treatment verification

• Generative AI applications in medical imaging

• Development and validation of clinically robust AI models

 

Why this research matters

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing medical imaging and radiation oncology. However, successful clinical implementation requires more than developing an algorithm. Medical physicists need to understand imaging physics, data quality, model validation, uncertainty, clinical workflow and patient safety.

UWA Medical Physics research already includes projects involving AI-based automatic segmentation, cancer prognosis, radiomics and generative AI. Current research includes the development of robust and automated radiomics approaches and deep-learning applications in oncology.

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Potential impact

AI research can help clinicians analyse medical images more efficiently, improve treatment planning, identify clinically relevant imaging biomarkers and support personalised cancer treatment.

 

Skills developed

Students can develop highly transferable skills in:

• Python and scientific programming

• Machine learning and deep learning

• Medical image processing

• Data analysis and statistics

• Model validation and performance evaluation

• Radiomics

• AI ethics and clinical translation

• Scientific programming and reproducible research

These skills are increasingly relevant to careers in medical physics, medical imaging, health technology, AI, data science and biomedical research.

 

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2. Advanced Radiotherapy, Treatment Planning and Optimisation

Examples of research topics

• IMRT and VMAT treatment optimisation

• Stereotactic radiotherapy and SBRT

• CyberKnife treatment techniques

• Adaptive radiotherapy

• Treatment planning optimisation

• Biological optimisation of radiotherapy

• Tumour heterogeneity and personalised treatment

• Dose optimisation for organs at risk

• Treatment delivery accuracy

• Clinical evaluation of advanced radiotherapy techniques

 

Why this research matters

Modern radiotherapy can deliver highly conformal radiation doses to tumours while attempting to minimise exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Small improvements in treatment planning and delivery can therefore have important implications for patient outcomes.

UWA's Medical Physics research portfolio includes IMRT/VMAT, stereotactic radiosurgery, CyberKnife, tumour motion, treatment planning optimisation and advanced radiotherapy.

 

Potential impact

Projects can contribute to safer and more accurate cancer treatment, improved dose distributions and better understanding of the clinical consequences of treatment uncertainties.

 

Skills developed

• Treatment planning

• Radiotherapy dosimetry

• Radiation oncology workflows

• Optimisation techniques

• Quantitative data analysis

• Clinical problem-solving

• Understanding of treatment uncertainties

• Collaboration with clinical teams

These skills are directly relevant to careers in clinical medical physics and professional clinical training.

  

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3. Medical Image Processing, Segmentation and Image-Guided Radiotherapy

 Examples of research topics

• Automated segmentation of tumours and organs

• CT, MRI and PET image processing

• Image registration

• Image-guided radiotherapy

• Motion tracking

• Quantitative imaging

• Metal-artifact reduction

• Multi-modality image fusion

• 3D reconstruction from medical images

• Image quality assessment

 

Why this research matters

Modern medicine increasingly relies on imaging to diagnose disease, plan treatment and monitor treatment response. In radiotherapy, accurate imaging is fundamental to identifying the target and protecting normal tissues.

UWA Medical Physics research includes PET/CT, MRI, CT and image analysis, while previous Masters projects have investigated automated segmentation, metal-artifact-reduction CT and tumour/fiducial tracking.

 

Potential impact

Improved image processing can make treatment planning more accurate and efficient and can provide clinicians with additional information for diagnosis and treatment decision-making.

 

Skills developed

• Medical image processing

• Python/MATLAB programming

• Computer vision

• Image registration

• Segmentation

• 3D visualisation

• Quantitative image analysis

• AI and machine learning

 

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4. 3D Printing in Medical Physics

 Examples of research topics

• Patient-specific radiotherapy accessories

• 3D-printed brachytherapy applicators

• Patient-specific bolus

• 3D-printed dosimetry phantoms

• Quality assurance phantoms

• Anatomical models

• Commissioning of 3D-printed devices

• Optimisation of materials and printing parameters

• Personalised treatment devices

 

Why this research matters

3D printing provides an opportunity to convert medical images and digital treatment plans into physical, patient-specific devices.

UWA Medical Physics has already demonstrated clinical translation in this area. Research into customised 3D-printed brachytherapy surface moulds has been associated with patient-specific treatment and improved dose conformity. UWA research has also contributed to the clinical implementation of customised 3D-printed bolus and other radiotherapy applications.

 

Potential impact

3D printing can provide affordable, personalised solutions for radiotherapy, dosimetry and medical education while enabling rapid prototyping of new clinical technologies.

 

Skills developed

• 3D modelling

• CAD

• Additive manufacturing

• Medical image segmentation

• Materials science

• Dosimetry

• Treatment planning

• Quality assurance

• Engineering design

• Clinical translation

 

This area is particularly valuable for students interested in the intersection of medical physics, engineering and medical technology.

 

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5. Radiotherapy Quality Assurance, Dosimetry and Commissioning

 Examples of research topics

• Linear accelerator quality assurance

• IMRT/VMAT QA

• EPID-based dosimetry

• Independent treatment verification

• Small-field dosimetry

• Radiation isocentre measurement

• MLC positioning accuracy

• Gantry and mechanical accuracy

• Treatment delivery verification

• Commissioning of new radiotherapy technologies

• 3D dosimetry and polymer gel dosimetry

 

Why this research matters

Modern radiotherapy depends on extremely accurate radiation delivery. Medical physicists are responsible for commissioning equipment, verifying treatment systems and monitoring performance.

UWA Medical Physics research has investigated radiation isocentre variability, linac mechanical performance, EPID-based verification, MLC accuracy and advanced radiotherapy QA. Recent research has specifically examined the implications of radiation isocentre variability for commissioning, QA and clinical protocols.

 

Potential impact

Research in this area can directly contribute to safer radiotherapy treatment and improved confidence in the performance of clinical equipment.

 

Skills developed

• Radiation dosimetry

• Detector technology

• Experimental physics

• Uncertainty analysis

• Statistical analysis

• QA methodology

• Commissioning principles

• Clinical risk assessment

• Technical report writing

These are particularly valuable skills for students pursuing clinical medical physics careers.

 

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6. Monte Carlo Modelling and Computational Medical Physics

 Examples of research topics

• Monte Carlo simulation of radiation transport

• GEANT4 modelling

• Patient-specific dose calculation

• Small-field dosimetry

• Detector modelling

• Radiotherapy treatment verification

• Imaging system modelling

• Internal dosimetry

• Radiation shielding calculations

• Pre-clinical radiotherapy modelling

 

Why this research matters

Monte Carlo methods allow researchers to simulate radiation transport and investigate complex situations that can be difficult to measure experimentally.

UWA Medical Physics supports computational research using high-performance computing resources, including GEANT4-based Monte Carlo modelling. Previous UWA projects have used Monte Carlo methods to investigate radiotherapy systems and treatment delivery.

 

Potential impact

Computational modelling can improve understanding of radiation dose, support treatment optimisation and help validate new technologies before clinical implementation.

 

Skills developed

• C++/Python and scientific programming

• GEANT4

• Monte Carlo methods

• Radiation transport

• Numerical modelling

• High-performance computing

• Data visualisation

• Computational statistics

These skills can also provide pathways into medical technology, radiation research, computational physics and industry.

 

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7. Radiation Safety, Radiation Protection and Medical Health Physics

 Examples of research topics

• Radiation shielding optimisation

• Occupational radiation exposure

• Radiation monitoring

• Radioisotope contamination

• Radiation protection in hospitals

• Radiation protection in industry

• Environmental radiation monitoring

• Nuclear medicine radiation safety

• Shielding design and optimisation

• Detection and identification of radionuclides

 

Why this research matters

Radiation is an essential tool in medicine, industry and research, but the safe use of radiation requires rigorous scientific assessment and appropriate protection strategies.

UWA's Medical Physics research themes include radiation protection and medical health physics, including identification and quantification of radioisotopes using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy.

 

Potential impact

Research can support safer use of radiation in hospitals, research facilities and industry and can contribute to improved radiation protection practices.

 

Skills developed

• Radiation detection

• Gamma spectroscopy

• Radiation shielding

• Dosimetry

• Risk assessment

• Radiation protection legislation and standards

• Experimental design

• Data interpretation

These skills are relevant to medical physics, radiation safety, nuclear medicine, industry, government and regulatory organisations.

  

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8. Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging and Theranostics

 Examples of research topics

• PET and SPECT imaging

• Nuclear medicine image quality

• Quantitative imaging

• Internal dosimetry

• Radiopharmaceutical dosimetry

• Theranostics

• Image reconstruction

• SPECT/PET quality assurance

• Radionuclide identification

• Radioisotope production and applications

 

Why this research matters

Nuclear medicine combines radiation physics, biology, chemistry and imaging to diagnose disease and deliver targeted therapies.

UWA's Medical Physics research themes include SPECT quality assurance, PET image analysis, radiopharmaceutical dosimetry and theranostics. UWA also has access to clinical PET, SPECT, CT and MRI facilities and an 18 MeV cyclotron.

 

Potential impact

Research can improve diagnostic accuracy, quantitative imaging and the safe and effective use of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

 

Skills developed

• Nuclear medicine physics

• PET/SPECT imaging

• Image reconstruction

• Internal dosimetry

• Radiation detection

• Quantitative imaging

• Radiopharmaceutical science

• Data analysis

This provides a strong foundation for careers in nuclear medicine, medical physics, research and the medical technology sector.

  

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9. Biological Modelling and Personalised Radiotherapy

 Examples of research topics

• Tumour growth modelling

• Tumour response to radiation

• Normal tissue complication modelling

• Spatial dose-response modelling

• Tumour heterogeneity

• Patient-specific treatment modelling

• Radiotherapy and immunotherapy interactions

• Biological optimisation of treatment

• Prediction of treatment outcomes

 

Why this research matters

The physical radiation dose alone does not completely describe the biological effect of treatment. Tumour biology, spatial heterogeneity and patient-specific characteristics can influence treatment response.

UWA's research themes include biological modelling, simulation of cancer tissue, treatment-effect modelling, patient-specific simulation and modelling the interaction between radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

 

Potential impact

Biological modelling may contribute to more personalised approaches to cancer treatment by combining physical dose information with biological and clinical information.

 

Skills developed

• Mathematical modelling

• Statistics

• Programming

• Radiobiology

• Cancer biology

• Data analysis

• Multivariable modelling

• Scientific interpretation

  

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10. Quantum Technologies and Quantum Computing in Medicine

 

Examples of research topics

• Quantum computing applications in medical physics

• Quantum-enhanced medical imaging

• Quantum optimisation of treatment planning

• Quantum algorithms for medical image analysis

• Quantum sensing

• Quantum technologies for radiation detection

• Future applications of quantum technologies in healthcare

 

Why this research matters

Quantum technologies are an emerging area with potential applications in computation, imaging, sensing and optimisation. UWA researchers are already investigating quantum-enhanced medical imaging, while quantum computing in medicine is identified as a future research direction within the UWA Medical Physics research portfolio.

 

Potential impact

Although many applications remain at the research stage, quantum technologies could provide new approaches to computationally challenging problems in medical imaging, optimisation and sensing.

 

Skills developed

• Quantum computing concepts

• Python programming

• Quantum algorithms

• Optimisation

• Computational physics

• Mathematical modelling

• Interdisciplinary research

This is particularly suitable for students interested in the future intersection of physics, computing, medicine and emerging technologies.

  

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11. Clinical Research, Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Medical Physics

 

Examples of research topics

• Clinical outcomes of radiotherapy

• Retrospective clinical studies

• Treatment toxicity analysis

• Clinical trial data analysis

• Comparative treatment studies

• Medical physics technology evaluation

• Evidence synthesis

• Systematic and scoping reviews

• Meta-analysis

 

Why this research matters

Not every important medical physics question requires development of a new device or algorithm. Evaluating whether an existing technology actually improves clinical practice is equally important.

UWA identifies clinical trial outcomes and biostatistics among its research themes, providing opportunities for students interested in clinical research and evidence-based practice.

 

Potential impact

Research can provide evidence to support decisions about clinical technology, treatment techniques and healthcare workflows.

 

Skills developed

• Biostatistics

• Research methodology

• Clinical data analysis

• Epidemiology

• Literature searching

• Critical appraisal

• Scientific writing

• Evidence synthesis

These skills are valuable across clinical, academic, government and healthcare research environments.

  

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12. Emerging and Literature-Based Medical Physics Projects

For students who are interested in research but prefer an analytical or literature-based project, opportunities can also be developed around emerging topics in Medical Physics.

 

Possible topics include:

• Artificial intelligence in radiation oncology

• Generative AI in healthcare

• AI safety and validation

• Radiomics

• Adaptive radiotherapy

• FLASH radiotherapy

• Proton therapy

• MR-guided radiotherapy

• Theranostics

• Quantum technologies in healthcare

• New radiotherapy technologies

• Personalised cancer treatment

• Radiation protection in emerging technologies

• Future directions in medical imaging

 

These projects can involve systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, computational modelling, database analysis or critical evaluation of emerging technologies.

 

Skills developed

• Critical thinking

• Evidence-based research

• Literature searching

• Scientific writing

• Statistical analysis

• Research methodology

• Academic presentation

• Manuscript preparation

 

These projects are particularly suitable for students considering further research, PhD study or careers involving scientific analysis and evidence-based decision-making.

 

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From Student Research to Real-World Impact

A key feature of Medical Physics research at UWA is the opportunity to work on problems that originate from real clinical and healthcare environments.

Research projects are developed and supervised in collaboration with clinical medical physicists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine specialists, engineers and other health-sector professionals. This provides students with an understanding not only of how to conduct research, but also of how research findings can be evaluated for clinical relevance and translated into practice.

 

This clinical connection means that a Masters research project can provide more than an academic qualification: it can give students experience of solving authentic healthcare problems.

 

Skills for Your Future Career

Regardless of the specific research topic, a Masters research project in Medical Physics can provide students with a broad set of transferable skills:

 

Technical skills

• Radiation physics and dosimetry

• Medical imaging

• Treatment planning

• Programming and computational modelling

• AI and machine learning

• Data analysis and statistics

• Experimental measurement

• Quality assurance

 

Research skills

• Research design

• Literature review

• Scientific methodology

• Statistical analysis

• Uncertainty evaluation

• Critical thinking

• Scientific writing

• Peer-reviewed publication

 

Professional skills

• Working with clinical teams

• Communication with healthcare professionals

• Project management

• Problem solving

• Presentation skills

• Collaboration

• Translating research into practical applications

 

These skills can support a range of career pathways, including clinical medical physics, radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, radiation protection, health technology, medical device development, AI and data science, research and development, academia and further postgraduate research.

 

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Your Research Project Can Become Your First Research Publication

At UWA, Masters students are encouraged and supported to disseminate their research findings. A substantial proportion of Masters research projects in the UWA Medical Physics Research Group have resulted in peer-reviewed publications, and students are encouraged to develop their work into manuscripts where the research outcomes are suitable for publication.

Students can also participate in research presentations, manuscript-writing activities and research-impact initiatives. This experience can provide an important advantage when applying for clinical training positions, PhD programs, research positions and employment in medical technology and healthcare.

 

Choosing Your Research Area

The best research project is not necessarily the most complicated one. A successful Masters project should combine:

a clinically or scientifically meaningful question + appropriate methodology + achievable scope + strong supervision + potential for useful outcomes.

 

Students are encouraged to select projects according to their interests, previous background and career aspirations. For example:

 

The UWA Medical Physics Group's broad research portfolio allows students to choose projects ranging from hands-on clinical and experimental work to programming, AI, computational modelling and literature-based research. The aim is to provide each student with a research experience that is scientifically robust, clinically relevant and valuable for their future career.

 

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For more information visit our:

Website: https://www.uwamedicalphysics.org

Weblog: http://www.uwamedicalphysics.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UWA.Medical.Physics/groups/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uwa_medical_physics/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/medical-physics-uwa-11979b379/

Twitter: @MedicalUwa

YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@medicalphysicsuwa

 

Students are encouraged to contact either of Pejman or Jake to discuss further about research opportunities.

 

• Assoc/Prof Pejman Rowshanfarzad, <pejman.rowshanfarzad@uwa.edu.au>

• Dr Jake Kendrick, <jake.kendrick@uwa.edu.au>

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