Public Health Scientist

Health & Human Services; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Career development

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a Public Health Scientist (NS) in Raleigh to lead newborn screening molecular workups.

You will develop and validate DNA‑level assays, apply PCR/NGS techniques, and provide expert technical guidance to the laboratory team within the State Laboratory of Public Health.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS in a relevant lab field with clinical or research experience.
• Experience with high‑complexity molecular testing and data interpretation.
• Ability to develop, validate, and implement molecular assays.
• Strong track record in preparing technical reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate molecular testing methods for newborn screening.
• Implement second‑tier testing strategies within lab workflows.
• Perform PCR, fragment analysis, and NGS to support screening.
• Conduct bioinformatics analyses and interpret assay results.
• Provide guidance and training to staff on molecular workflows.
• Maintain QA practices and contribute to program improvement.

Skills

Molecular testing

PCR

Next‑gen sequencing

Bioinformatics

Technical reporting

Laboratory leadership

Education

PhD in molecular biology/related field

MS in molecular biology/related field

BS in molecular biology/related field

Job description

Agency, Position and ID

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Public Health Job Classification Title Publ Hlth Scientist (NS) Position Number 65023445 Grade NC20

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Public Health Scientist - Newborn Screening Molecular position provides scientific and technical leadership in the Newborn Screening Molecular Laboratory at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, directing advanced molecular newborn screening activities that support public health testing priorities. It serves as a subject matter expert responsible for developing, validating, implementing, and improving complex molecular assays used to detect DNA variants and other markers for conditions on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel. This role performs high‑level analytical and bioinformatic procedures using PCR, fragment analysis, and next‑generation sequencing technologies to ensure accurate and reliable newborn screening results. Work includes evaluating new molecular methodologies, integrating second‑tier testing strategies, and supporting expansion of the newborn screening panel. The position operates within a highly technical laboratory environment and ensures the scientific rigor, quality, and effective operation of molecular testing initiatives.

Key Duties

• Develop and validate molecular testing methods to ensure accurate detection of DNA variants and molecular markers for newborn screening conditions.
• Implement new diagnostic assays and integrate second‑tier testing strategies into existing laboratory workflows.
• Perform advanced analytical procedures using PCR, fragment analysis, and next‑generation sequencing platforms.
• Conduct complex bioinformatics analyses to support interpretation of molecular testing results.
• Evaluate and assess new molecular methodologies for inclusion in newborn screening algorithms.
• Prepare, review, and present scientific reports summarizing analytical findings and laboratory performance.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and consultation to laboratory staff regarding molecular testing workflows and diagnostic procedures.
• Troubleshoot complex issues involving instrumentation, software, assay performance, and laboratory workflows.
• Maintain quality assurance practices aligned with regulatory requirements and laboratory standards.
• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement of molecular diagnostic services within the newborn screening program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Expertise in developing, optimizing, validating, and implementing molecular testing methodologies using advanced laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience performing high‑complexity molecular diagnostic procedures, including PCR, fragment analysis, and next‑generation sequencing, to support newborn screening workflows.
• Proficiency conducting analytical and bioinformatics data reviews to interpret assay performance, troubleshoot issues, and generate technical recommendations for laboratory operations.
• Proven experience producing clear and concise technical reports and presentations by compiling scientific data and translating complex findings for laboratory peers, managers, and scientific audiences.
• Demonstrated capability resolving complex molecular assay, instrumentation, and workflow problems through systematic investigation and technical problem‑solving strategies.

Salary

Salary Grade Range: $70,478.00 - $123,336.00

Recruitment Range: $70,478.00 - $98,000.00

Physical Requirements

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to more objects.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH)

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH)

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing, Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human, animal, food, water, and agricultural samples. Additionally, NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments, hospitals, commercial laboratories, private health care professionals, community based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional agencies. A staff of over 200 employees make up the organization units which include Administration, Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP), Chemical Terrorism and Threat, Environmental Sciences, Laboratory Improvement, Molecular Diagnostics & Epidemiology, Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response (SABR), Newborn Screening, Microbiology, and Virology/Serology and is co‑located with the Office of Chief Medical in a 220,000‑sq. ft. state of the art facility. The NCSLPH has several doctoral level managers and research scientists as well as medical laboratory specialists, medical technologists, chemists, laboratory technicians, and support staff. The Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is comprised of three primary units containing various laboratories which provide testing services to local and state partners as well as to clinical labs for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. Collectively, the unit conducts highly complex testing procedures for the detection, identification, and characterization of a wide range of infectious agents from a variety of clinical, reference, and environmental specimens. The Microbiology Unit provides clinical and reference microbiological testing for public and private laboratories as well as associated partners. This diverse unit performs testing including organism identification and detection that aids in the diagnosis of foodborne, vaccine‑preventable, parasitic, and fungal diseases. Microbial resistance testing and surveillance methods are also performed within the unit. Results generated from this unit are utilized by a variety of partners for diagnosis, patient management, surveillance, and outbreak investigations. The Molecular Diagnostic/Molecular Epidemiology group is responsible for performing a variety of highly complex laboratory tests to identify bacteriologic and viral nucleic acids of public health significance. The reports generated by this group are used by state and local health officials in the detection, identification, and surveillance of pathogens. The tests performed in this Unit employ primarily molecular‑based methods but may also incorporate classical biochemical, bacteriology and virology methods for definitive identification. This Unit detects and characterizes many diverse types of medically encountered organisms including bacterial pathogens such as carbapenem‑resistant Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shiga‑toxin producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, as well as viral pathogens norovirus, and SARS‑CoV‑2. The Molecular Diagnostic/Molecular Epidemiology Unit participates in several Centers for Disease and Prevention sponsored programs. These programs include the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN), PulseNet, and CaliciNet. The Newborn Screening (NBS) Unit provides timely and accurate testing to help identify newborns at risk for conditions on the state’s newborn screening panel. Organizationally, this unit consists of three functional entities: Fluoroimmunoassy‑SC (FIA‑Hgb) Laboratory, Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) Laboratory, and the Molecular Laboratory.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

• We are in Raleigh, NC.
• According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country.
• US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.
• 220,000 square feet state‑of‑the‑art facility
• Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
• Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC‑Chapel Hill, Duke)
• Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Weekly Food Trucks
• Car Cleaning and Detailing Services
• On‑site bimonthly Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
• Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Library of academic journals and materials on‑site
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits
• Compensation and Benefits: The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre‑tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Contact Information

[e-mail]

Minimum Education and Experience

Doctoral degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of clinical laboratory or research experience OR Master's degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of clinical laboratory or research experience OR Bachelor's degree in degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of clinical laboratory or research experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.