Radiation Safety Officer

About the Role

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) will lead and manage a comprehensive, enterprise-wide Radiation Protection Program within a complex academic health system operating under a broad-scope radioactive materials license issued by the State of California. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), the RSO serves as the designated institutional authority and regulatory designee on both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation safety and compliance across clinical, research, and academic operations.

The RSO partners closely with the institutional Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) and provides subject matter leadership and technical guidance to ensure safe, compliant, and effective use of radiation technologies across UCSF’s hospitals, clinics, and research campuses throughout the Bay Area. This includes oversight of radioactive materials, radiation-producing machines, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lasers, and other non-ionizing radiation sources such as radiofrequency, microwave, and energy field-generating devices.

This role is responsible for administering and continuously improving UCSF’s Radiation Protection Program, including proactively identifying hazards, implementing corrective actions, and verifying compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The RSO exercises delegated authority in accordance with regulatory requirements, UC and UCSF enterprise policies on behalf of senior leadership to intervene in operations when necessary, including restricting or suspending activities that do not meet established safety or regulatory requirements.

The RSO serves as a key advisor and operational partner to multiple governance bodies, including the Radiation Safety Committee, Radioactive Drug Research Committee, Laser Safety Committee, and MR Safety Committee. In collaboration with the RSC, the RSO supports the review and approval of radiation use in cutting-edge clinical trials conducted under the oversight of the UCSF Institutional Review Board (IRB). Acting as the primary liaison to the California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (RHB), the RSO ensures institutional compliance with licensing requirements and maintains UCSF’s authorization to use radioactive materials and radiation-producing technologies.

The role requires staying current with evolving regulations, standards, and emerging technologies, and translating those changes into effective institutional policies, programs, and practices. This position requires strategic leadership, extensive regulatory expertise, and the ability to influence across a large, decentralized organization to ensure the safe and compliant use of radiation in support of UCSF’s mission of advancing health worldwide.

Department Overview

UCSF’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is dedicated to fostering a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible environment for all faculty, staff, students, patients, and visitors across the University and UCSF Health system. EH&S serves as the central resource for workplace safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance within a complex, multi-site academic health institution. The department provides comprehensive programs and services that support compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while enabling UCSF’s mission of advancing health through research, education, and patient care.

Core program areas include:

• Biosafety
• Chemical safety
• Environmental protection
• Ergonomics
• Facilities safety
• Fire and life safety
• Industrial hygiene
• Radiation and laser safety
• Hazardous materials management
• Spill response
• Food facility safety
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection
• Hazardous building materials
• Hazardous waste management

EH&S partners closely with campus leadership, clinical operations, research programs, and affiliated organizations to proactively identify risks, implement effective controls, and promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility. The department also provides critical support to the UCSF Health system and multiple affiliated entities, ensuring consistent standards and practices across diverse operational settings. Through a combination of technical expertise, consultation, training, and program development, EH&S plays a vital role in maintaining compliance, reducing risk, and supporting the safe conduct of world-class research, education, and patient care activities at UCSF.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a comprehensive, enterprise-wide Radiation Protection Program.
• Serve as the designated institutional authority and regulatory designee for ionizing and non-ionizing radiation safety and compliance.
• Provide subject matter leadership and technical guidance for the safe and compliant use of radiation technologies across clinical, research, and academic operations.
• Administer and continuously improve UCSF’s Radiation Protection Program, including hazard identification, corrective actions, and compliance verification.
• Exercise delegated authority to intervene in operations, including restricting or suspending unsafe activities.
• Serve as a key advisor to governance bodies such as the Radiation Safety Committee, Radioactive Drug Research Committee, Laser Safety Committee, and MR Safety Committee.
• Support the review and approval of radiation use in clinical trials under IRB oversight.
• Act as the primary liaison to the California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
• Stay current with evolving regulations, standards, and emerging technologies, and translate them into institutional policies and practices.
• Oversee and conduct radiation safety training for employees.
• Respond to and direct emergency and critical situations, including follow-up evaluation and implementation of changes to emergency response protocols.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in health physics or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ full-time health physics experience with a broad scope radioactive materials license, including radiation safety oversight of cyclotron production of radioisotopes, laboratory benchwork, animal research, and clinical medicine.
• Direct experience with diagnostic and therapeutic uses of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in medical settings, including Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Oncology, and Interventional Radiology.
• Comprehensive knowledge of EH&S technical requirements, regulations, and laws.
• Excellent management skills to lead and direct staff.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen for diverse constituencies.
• In-depth knowledge of medical applications of radiation, detection and measurement, shielding, cyclotron applications, effluent monitoring, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Demonstrated expertise in the receipt, use, transport, and disposal of radioactive materials in research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications.
• Knowledge of radiation safety regulations, including Titles 8 and 17 (California Code of Regulations) and Titles 10, 21, and 49 (Code of Federal Regulations).
• Expertise in non-radioactive risks, including magnetic resonance, lasers, radiofrequency, microwave, and other energy field hazards, with 7 years of directly related experience.
• Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills for communication in academic, regulatory, and clinical environments.
• Ability to interpret and communicate regulations to administrators, auditors, clinicians, and patients.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with colleagues, staff, and researchers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in health/medical physics or applicable scientific or engineering field.
• Ability to manage financial assets, estimate fees and expenses, balance budgets, and assist in procurement of vendor contracts.
• Understanding of coordination between the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) for research studies involving radiation exposure to human subjects.
• Completion of 40-hour HAZWOPER training and experience utilizing Incident Command structure.
• Clinical background and certification in Radiation Therapy, Radiologic Technology, or Nuclear Medicine Technology (certifications from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board).

About Us

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. UCSF brings together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health and is home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and stem cells.

UCSF is committed to equity—both in how we deliver care and in our workforce. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence—also known as our PRIDE values.

Benefits

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: UCnet Benefits.