Job Summary:
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, and hazardous waste management, among others.
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.
About UCSF
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. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. 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 .
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here .
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
