Associate Health Physicist

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Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

About the role

Join the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team at Harvard University and help champion a culture of safety across research facilities. As an Associate Health Physicist, you will provide technical expertise and professional guidance for the safe use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation at Harvard University. In this collaborative role, you will partner directly with researchers to find safe, practical solutions that support their scientific objectives while ensuring regulatory compliance. This position is based in both Cambridge and Boston. It’s an excellent opportunity for early-career professionals to build hands-on experience in radiation safety within a research university environment.

Responsibilities

• Radiological Surveillance & Operations: Perform routine and job-specific surveys using dose-rate and contamination meters. Analyze results, conduct x-ray cabinet leakage surveys, and execute technical decontamination activities as needed.
• Accept RAM shipments and deliver RAM to laboratories: Survey in-bound shipments of RAM, sealed sources, and equipment, to ensure compliance with regulatory, procedural, and license requirements. Deliver RAM to laboratories.
• Maintain rigorous records: In a timely manner, document all inspections, radiological surveys, meter calibrations, meter QC checks, sample results, package receipt records, and shipping records for regulatory compliance.
• Conduct Permit Inspections: Conduct laboratory inspections to verify safe storage, use, and disposal of radiation sources (e.g., RAM, laser, x-ray, UV, RF, magnets), including review of engineering controls, training, SOPs, and required documentation.
• RAM waste processing and disposal: Aggregate laboratory RAM waste and determine appropriate disposal method. Aid with the shipment of radioactive materials.
• Researcher Support & Partnership: Act as the primary point of contact for assigned laboratories. Build strong relationships with researchers, provide proactive assistance, training, and safety oversight in a positive, solutions-oriented manner.
• Develop a wide range of Health Physics skills: Become proficient at the operation of various radiation instrumentation, computer systems, and techniques used for measurement, storage, analysis and processing of radiological data.
• Develop working knowledge of EHS Program: Understand the structure and function of all areas of EHS. Maintain familiarity with and participate in emergency cross training procedures.
• Emergency Response: Participate in a rotating on-call schedule to triage and/or respond to daytime and after-hours laboratory safety incidents, consistent with EHS Emergency Response Team requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervision/management.

Working Conditions

• Participate in EH&S Emergency Response Team on rotating basis; will be required to carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business hours with other EHS staff.
• Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects.

Physical Requirements

• Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform emergency response activities and field visits.
• Must be capable of using personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment, be able to access any area of the University to perform designated work functions including but not limited to inspections, job safety assessments, and emergency response.

Requirements

• Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in health physics (or related field) or three years of related work experience. Education may count toward experience.
  • Successful completion of criminal background and suitability investigation.
• Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Experience conducting comprehensive radiation laboratory safety analysis in a university or research environment (i.e., Broad scope type license experience).
  • Working knowledge of regulations (i.e., MDPH, NRC) and best practices for academic ionizing and non-ionizing radiation use.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, time management, and oral/written communication skills; technical writing skills; high attention to detail; flexible and adaptable; ability to manage multiple priorities; ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Technology Skills Requirements:
  • Proficiency and experience with full Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and presentation software required.
  • Working knowledge of Windows operating system is required.
  • Must have familiarity with email, voice mail, and be able to quickly adapt to emergency response procedures and protocols.
• Special Requirements:
  • Participate in the EHS Emergency Response Team on a rotating basis (estimated 6 to 7 times per year). As a cross-trained EHS staff member, carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business hours as part of the rotation.
  • Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects.
  • Driver’s license with some local travel may be periodically required.

Schedule

This role requires an in-person presence on the Cambridge and Longwood campuses to support laboratories. This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position with flexibility based on operational needs and scheduled laboratory support.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks.

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.