Associate Health Physicist

Columbia University in the City of New York; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University in the City of New York seeks an Associate Health Physicist to support its radiation safety programs across clinical, research, and affiliated facilities. The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, field operations, and stakeholder engagement, with travel among campuses as needed.

The position reports to Radiation Safety leadership and offers potential flexible/hybrid work arrangements. A bachelor’s degree in a related science and at least 1 year of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a physical, biological, or related science with at least 1 year of radiation protection experience.
• Ability to work across clinical, research, and institutional environments with regulatory compliance.
• Experience with radiation safety concepts, audits, and equipment surveys is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support compliance with NYC, NYS, federal, and institutional radiation safety requirements under leadership.
• Assist with program initiatives, inspections, and special projects in Radiation Safety.
• Perform and document radiation protection audits, surveys, and inspections of facilities.
• Provide health physics support for activities involving radioactive materials and equipment as assigned.
• Respond to spills, contamination events, and radiation safety incidents under supervision.

Skills

Radiation safety

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical/biological science

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
• Salary Range: $69,000-$80,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to a designated manager or supervisor within the Radiation Safety Programs, the Associate Health Physicist supports the day-to-day operations of the University's radiation safety programs and the Environmental Health & Safety departmental mission. The position provides health physics services to Columbia University, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, affiliated faculty practices, laboratories, and other supported facilities. Travel among campuses and facilities is required.

The Associate Health Physicist applies established radiation protection principles and develops professional judgment under supervision. The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, field operations, stakeholder engagement, and program support across a range of clinical, research, and institutional uses of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment.

Specific assignments may vary based on program needs, staff development, and demonstrated competency. The Associate Health Physicist works collaboratively with Radiation Safety leadership and senior staff and escalates non-routine or complex matters as appropriate.

SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.

Responsibilities

• Supporting compliance with applicable New York City, New York State, federal, and institutional radiation safety requirements under the direction of Radiation Safety leadership;
• Assisting Radiation Safety leadership and other staff with program initiatives, inspections, and special projects;
• Fostering a collaborative, service-oriented approach to radiation safety that supports patient care, research, and institutional activities while maintaining regulatory compliance;
• Performing and documenting radiation protection audits, surveys, and inspections of rooms, departments, laboratories, areas, or facilities where radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing equipment are used;
• Assisting with review of inspection, audit, and survey findings and implementation of corrective actions under supervision;
• Providing health physics support, as assigned, for activities involving radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment in clinical, research, laboratory, and other institutional settings;
• Performing radiation surveys of radiation-producing equipment under established procedures and appropriate supervision, which may include clinical radiographic and fluoroscopic systems, x-ray irradiators, x-ray diffraction systems, and other clinical or non-clinical equipment;
• Conducting surveys and evaluations of radiation-protective equipment, fixtures, devices, and personal protective equipment in accordance with established procedures;
• Performing and documenting receipt surveys of incoming radioactive material shipments and assisting with distribution or transfer of radioactive materials as appropriate;
• Performing contamination surveys and assisting with decontamination of radioactive material use areas;
• Responding to radioactive material spills, contamination events, and other radiation safety incidents in accordance with established procedures and under appropriate supervision;
• Assisting with radioactive waste activities, including collection, surveys, segregation, storage, processing, and preparation for disposal;
• Maintaining inventories and performing routine operational and quality-control measurements of radiation detection instruments, sealed radioactive sources, and radiation-producing equipment;
• Collecting, maintaining, and documenting data used in routine and specialized reports and maintaining records in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements, including use of electronic tracking systems where applicable;
• Supporting radiation safety activities associated with diagnostic and therapeutic clinical uses of radiation, which may include nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, PET, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, cardiac catheterization, surgery, and other clinical applications, as assigned;
• Supporting radiation safety activities associated with laboratory and research uses of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment, as assigned;
• Supporting health physics activities associated with cyclotron and radiochemistry operations in accordance with established policies and procedures, as assigned;
• Performing related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a physical, biological, or other related science and a minimum of one (1) year of demonstrated experience in radiation protection or a related field;
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and manipulate a full 55-gallon/400-pound drum using appropriate equipment; and
• Ability to wear a respirator.

Preferred Qualifications

• Eligibility for certification by the American Board of Health Physics, American Board of Medical Physics, American Board of Radiology, or an equivalent certifying body;
• Familiarity with healthcare, university, research, laboratory, or other complex regulated environments;
• Possession of a valid driver's license;
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work effectively in a deadline-driven environment;
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, physicians, researchers, clinical personnel, staff, students, and other stakeholders;
• Attention to detail and proficiency with standard office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with electronic radiation safety or compliance management systems is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.