Radiation Protection Consultant

• Health, Safety and Wellness

• Part-time (80%), continuing (permanent) position

• Base salary will be in the range $106,838 - $119,780 + 17% Superannuation

• Based at St Lucia

About This Opportunity 

Join our team as a Radiation Protection Consultant (RPC) and play a key role in optimising the University's occupational radiation risk management systems. As the RPC, you will provide expert support, guidance, and training to end users and the UQ Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) network, covering a diverse range of radiation sources, including lasers, sealed and unsealed materials, and imaging equipment. Your responsibilities extend to designing and implementing new safety programs, swiftly identifying emerging hazards, and leading as a technical adviser on waste management and disposal of radioactive materials. Collaborating within the Specialist Services Team of the Health Safety and Wellness Division, you'll contribute to a multidisciplinary approach alongside occupational hygienists, health professionals, and safety experts.

This challenging yet rewarding role requires a proactive individual with a comprehensive understanding of radiation safety and the ability to foster a culture of safety and compliance within the university community. Your role as an RPC will not only involve technical expertise but also collaboration with the RSO network, ensuring timely communication on emerging issues, training programs, and other critical radiation practice matters. If you are passionate about making a real impact in occupational radiation safety and want to be part of a team dedicated to excellence, we invite you to apply and contribute to shaping a safer and compliant environment at our university.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead collaborative efforts within the RSO network to provide expert safety advice and guidance to end users, ensuring adherence to state and national radiation control legislation, Australian Standards, and Codes of Practice.

• Deliver regular detailed reports on the state of Radiation Safety practice to senior UQ leadership, offering expert advice, guidance, and assurance.

• Develop and implement effective radiation safety governance processes to uphold best practices and ensure the currency and relevance of radiation safety management systems at UQ.

• Support day-to-day radiation risk management processes, including risk assessment, inspections, audits, and pre-approvals for radiation work, collaborating with RSOs and end users.

• Support and guide the development of local and organisation-wide Radiation Safety Protection Plans (RSPPs), ensuring regular updates for effectiveness and currency.

• Develop, review, and communicate radiation safety policies, procedures, and programs to stakeholders, fostering a culture of compliance and awareness.

• Identify and deliver training sessions on relevant safety topics, covering emerging risks, educational incidents, legislative updates, and technological developments.

• Act as the primary point of contact with regulatory bodies (e.g., ARPANSA, Q Gov Radiation Health, WHSQ), ensuring compliance and effective communication.

• Assist and advise in incident investigation, design, and implement corrective action plans, and provide guidance on UQ's emergency response to radiation incidents, including interactions with external stakeholders.

• Prepare comprehensive audit checklists, conduct radiation safety audits, and take responsibility for shielding design reports and premises compliance testing for unsealed radiation sources.

About You  

Essential

• Completion of a postgraduate degree or in-progress postgraduate studies in applied physics, medical physics, health physics, occupational hygiene, or a related field, coupled with extensive practical experience. Alternatively, completion of an undergraduate degree in applied physics, medical physics, nuclear physics, occupational hygiene, or a related science, along with a minimum of 5 years' relevant experience. Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Eligibility for membership in the Australasian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS).

• Holding or eligibility to become an Accredited Radiation Safety Officer under the Radiation Safety Act Qld 1999.

• Eligibility to become an Accredited Officer (authorised to issue compliance certificates for premises) under the Radiation Safety Act Qld 1999.

• Eligibility for a Use license for X-ray.

• Extensive knowledge of potentially injurious radiation, including X-rays, alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation from radioactive substances, UV radiation, lasers, magnetic fields, and microwaves, along with effective OHS risk management practices.

• Practical experience in applying legislative and risk mitigation-driven strategies to ionising and non-ionising radiation in complex scientific or medical laboratory-based research environments.

• Practical hands-on experience with radiation detection/survey equipment.

• Experience in developing an effective and sustainable safety culture, including conceptualising, developing, and implementing practical compliance and safety programs using principles of work design, ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable), and the hierarchy of controls, including training delivery to various audiences.

• Demonstrated high-level stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to provide expert advice, negotiate, and influence safety outcomes, demonstrating an understanding of relevant legislation, Australian standards, and guidelines.

• Experience managing radiation exposure monitoring programs, including communication with users about dose levels and record maintenance and security.

• Experience in developing and maintaining radiation safety protection plans (RSPP).

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with initiative.

• Demonstrated reliability in meeting deadlines and effectiveness in achieving results.

Desirable:

• Eligibility for membership in The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM).

The successful candidate may be required to complete background checks including, criminal history and education checks.

For more than a century, UQ has educated and worked with outstanding people to deliver unparalleled teaching, learning and research excellence that creates positive change globally. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave

• Annual salary increases in line with our enterprise agreement

• 17.5% annual leave loading

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• Salary packaging options

Want to Apply? 

Should you wish to apply, please attach the following documents to your application:

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section above 

• Resume 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Peter McGarry [email protected] .

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (R-35212) in the subject line. 

Applications close 26 February 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R-35212). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for 20 March 2024.

At UQ, our strength lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion v, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to [email protected] for accessibility support or adjustments.

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.