The Research Staff Organization (RSO) is composed of scientists who hold a research appointment at City of Hope, and who are capable of significant scientific achievements. The organization was formed by the research staff to govern itself and to promote its interests both within City of Hope and in the larger scientific community.

The RSO has three primary functions:

• To initiate and maintain rules and regulations for self-government of the Research Staff within the framework of City of Hope policies.
• To promote excellence of research at City of Hope through delineation of the rights, obligations, and privileges of research scientists.
• To provide a means whereby issues concerning the Research Staff may be discussed with the Medical Staff, City of Hope Administration, and the Boards of Directors.
• The RSO is an integral part of City of Hope and of the Beckman Research Institute and as such shares the goals of supporting innovative and creative research and of educating future scientists in the biological sciences.