STEM OPT Health Physicist Jobs
Health Physicist roles in radiation safety, nuclear medicine, and environmental monitoring qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension under CIP codes in physics and health sciences. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, a requirement enforced by ICE for all STEM OPT participants. A STEM degree in physics, radiological sciences, or a closely related field makes you eligible.
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Get Access To All JobsJob 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, and under the supervision of the Radiation Safety Officer, the Health Physicist supports the day-to-day operations of the University research radiation safety programs and the Environmental Health and Safety departmental mission. The position provides professional health physics services to laboratories and facilities using radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment across multiple campuses and affiliated locations.
The Associate Health Physicist applies established radiation protection principles and develops professional judgment under supervision. The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, field operations, researcher engagement, and program support, in collaboration with senior staff and the RSO 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 New York City and New York State Department of Health regulations, under the direction of the RSO;
- Assisting the RSO and other Research Radiation Safety staff with program initiatives, inspections, and special projects;
- Fostering a collaborative, service-oriented approach to radiation safety that supports research while maintaining regulatory compliance;
- Performing and documenting radiation protection audits, surveys, and inspections of rooms, departments, areas, or facilities where radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing equipment are used to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations;
- Assisting with the review of radiation protection audit/survey/inspection results and corrective actions under supervision;
- Performing appropriate surveys for non-clinical x-ray-producing equipment, including x-ray irradiators, x-ray diffraction systems, radiographic equipment for non-human applications, and other radiation protection equipment;
- Conducting surveys on radiation-protective equipment, including fixtures, devices, and personal protective equipment in accordance with established procedures;
- Maintaining inventories and performing routine quality control measurements of radiation detection instruments, sealed source radioactive materials, and radiation emitting devices;
- Performing and documenting receipt surveys of incoming radioactive material shipments and distributing shipments of radioactive materials to researchers;
- Responding to radioactive material spills, contamination events, and other radiation safety incidents in accordance with established procedures;
- Collecting and documenting data for routine and specialized reports;
- Maintaining accurate records in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements, including use of electronic tracking systems where applicable;
- Assisting with the radioactive waste program, including managing waste storage and preparing radioactive waste for disposal;
- Supporting the health physics activities of the cyclotron and radiochemistry laboratory in accordance with established policies and procedures;
- Supporting the calibration, monitoring, operation, and reporting of air emission monitoring systems;
- 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 demonstrated experience in radiation protection or a closely related field,
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and manipulate a full 55-gallon/400 pound drum using appropriate equipment.
- Ability to wear a respirator.
Preferred Qualifications
- Eligibility for certification by the American Board of Health Physics, the American Board of Medical Physics, the American Board of Radiology, or an equivalent certifying body;
- Familiarity with radiation safety programs in a university or research environment;
- Possession of a valid driver's license;
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work with efficiency in a deadline-driven environment;
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students at all levels;
- Attention to detail and proficiency with standard office software (Word, Excel, 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.
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, and under the supervision of the Radiation Safety Officer, the Health Physicist supports the day-to-day operations of the University research radiation safety programs and the Environmental Health and Safety departmental mission. The position provides professional health physics services to laboratories and facilities using radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment across multiple campuses and affiliated locations.
The Associate Health Physicist applies established radiation protection principles and develops professional judgment under supervision. The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, field operations, researcher engagement, and program support, in collaboration with senior staff and the RSO 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 New York City and New York State Department of Health regulations, under the direction of the RSO;
- Assisting the RSO and other Research Radiation Safety staff with program initiatives, inspections, and special projects;
- Fostering a collaborative, service-oriented approach to radiation safety that supports research while maintaining regulatory compliance;
- Performing and documenting radiation protection audits, surveys, and inspections of rooms, departments, areas, or facilities where radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing equipment are used to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations;
- Assisting with the review of radiation protection audit/survey/inspection results and corrective actions under supervision;
- Performing appropriate surveys for non-clinical x-ray-producing equipment, including x-ray irradiators, x-ray diffraction systems, radiographic equipment for non-human applications, and other radiation protection equipment;
- Conducting surveys on radiation-protective equipment, including fixtures, devices, and personal protective equipment in accordance with established procedures;
- Maintaining inventories and performing routine quality control measurements of radiation detection instruments, sealed source radioactive materials, and radiation emitting devices;
- Performing and documenting receipt surveys of incoming radioactive material shipments and distributing shipments of radioactive materials to researchers;
- Responding to radioactive material spills, contamination events, and other radiation safety incidents in accordance with established procedures;
- Collecting and documenting data for routine and specialized reports;
- Maintaining accurate records in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements, including use of electronic tracking systems where applicable;
- Assisting with the radioactive waste program, including managing waste storage and preparing radioactive waste for disposal;
- Supporting the health physics activities of the cyclotron and radiochemistry laboratory in accordance with established policies and procedures;
- Supporting the calibration, monitoring, operation, and reporting of air emission monitoring systems;
- 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 demonstrated experience in radiation protection or a closely related field,
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and manipulate a full 55-gallon/400 pound drum using appropriate equipment.
- Ability to wear a respirator.
Preferred Qualifications
- Eligibility for certification by the American Board of Health Physics, the American Board of Medical Physics, the American Board of Radiology, or an equivalent certifying body;
- Familiarity with radiation safety programs in a university or research environment;
- Possession of a valid driver's license;
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work with efficiency in a deadline-driven environment;
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students at all levels;
- Attention to detail and proficiency with standard office software (Word, Excel, 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.
See all STEM OPT Health Physicist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Health Physicist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Health Physicist
Verify your CIP code matches physics
Check that your degree's CIP code falls under 40.08 (Physics) or 51.2205 (Health and Medical Physics) before filing your STEM OPT extension. A mismatched CIP code is the most common reason DSOs reject I-983 training plans for Health Physicist roles.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your prospective employer for their E-Verify Company ID number and cross-check it against the E-Verify employer search before signing anything. A verbal assurance isn't enough; ICE requires documented enrollment at the time your STEM OPT extension begins.
Target NRC-licensed facilities in your job search
Hospitals, nuclear power plants, and federal research labs operating under Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses routinely hire Health Physicists and are more likely to have established STEM OPT onboarding processes. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified E-Verify status in those sectors.
Build an I-983 training plan around dosimetry or shielding projects
Generic training plans get rejected. Tie your I-983 goals to measurable outcomes specific to your role, such as quarterly radiation survey completion rates or shielding design reviews, so your DSO and employer can sign off without back-and-forth revisions.
Check prevailing wage requirements using OFLC Wage Search
Employers filing an LCA for any future H-1B visa transition must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code (19-4051, Nuclear Technicians, or 29-9011, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists). Run OFLC Wage Search by location before negotiating your offer to avoid underpaid positions that complicate visa transitions later.
Submit your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS recommends filing Form I-765 at least 90 days before your current EAD expires. Health Physicist roles often require background checks and security clearance processing that add weeks to your start date, so a late filing can leave you unauthorized before your role actually begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Health Physicist?
Your degree qualifies if it falls under an approved STEM CIP code, most commonly 40.0801 (Physics, General), 51.2205 (Health and Medical Physics), or 40.0804 (Nuclear Physics). Check the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list against your exact CIP code, which appears on your transcripts and I-20. Your DSO can confirm eligibility before you file your I-765 with USCIS.
Is E-Verify enrollment mandatory for Health Physicist employers hiring STEM OPT students?
Yes, without exception. Any employer hiring you under a STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension start date. This applies to all employers, including federal contractors, hospitals, and private nuclear facilities, regardless of company size. You can verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool before accepting an offer. ICE can terminate your STEM OPT authorization if your employer is not properly enrolled.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Health Physicist position?
Your I-983 must list specific, measurable learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For Health Physicist roles, that means documenting goals such as performing radiation surveys, calibrating dosimetry equipment, reviewing shielding designs, or analyzing environmental monitoring data. Vague goals like 'gain professional experience' will prompt your DSO to request revisions. Both you and your employer's authorized representative must sign the plan before your DSO can update your SEVIS record.
How does cap-gap protection affect me if I'm applying for H-1B while working as a Health Physicist on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year in which H-1B status begins. You can continue working as a Health Physicist during this gap without interruption, provided your employer filed before your EAD expired and USCIS has a valid receipt on record.
Where can I find Health Physicist jobs with employers already enrolled in E-Verify?
Migrate Mate lists Health Physicist roles from employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, so you don't have to manually confirm eligibility for each application. The platform surfaces positions in radiation safety, nuclear medicine, and environmental monitoring that align with STEM OPT requirements. You can filter by role type and employer verification status to focus your search on positions where your work authorization will be accepted without complications.