RESEARCH SCIENTIST

State of California; California; On-site; USD 77,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is seeking a Clinical Chemistry Scientist within the Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP). The role involves planning, organizing, and conducting scientific research and clinical testing projects in a high-complexity CLIA-certified laboratory to detect genetic disorders in newborns.

You will work under supervision with the CLIA Laboratory Director, ensuring QA compliance and accurate testing across dried blood spots, serum, plasma, and whole

Qualifications

• Hold a valid license as a California Clinical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist), or a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and conduct scientific research and clinical testing projects of moderate scope and complexity.
• Ensure testing activities in the CLIA high-complexity genetic screening laboratory comply with established QA protocols.
• Perform testing on dried blood spot, serum, plasma, and whole blood from newborns to detect genetic disorders.

Job description

Job Posting:Clinical Chemistry Scientist

Department of Public Health

JC-534280 -

JC-534280 - Clinical Chemistry Scientist
RESEARCH SCIENTIST

$6,942.00 - $9,799.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/23/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

The mission of GDSP is “to serve the people of California by reducing the emotional and financial burden of disability and death caused by genetic and congenital disorders” in support of CDPH’s mission “to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities.”

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by serving as a Clinical Chemistry Scientist that is responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting scientific research and clinical testing projects of moderate scientific scope and complexity. The role ensures that testing activities within the Technical/General Supervisor Section of the high-complexity Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified genetic screening laboratory are conducted in compliance with established quality assurance protocols. Testing is performed on dried blood spot, serum, plasma, and whole blood specimens from newborns to detect genetic disorders.

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Research Scientist Supervisor, Technical/General Supervisor and CLIA Laboratory Director and performs duties in accordance with established guidelines and procedures.

The incumbent will be required at the time of appointment to:

• Hold a valid license as a California Clinical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist), or a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST

RESEARCH SCIENTIST $7,625.00 - $9,799.00 $6,942.00 - $8,922.00A $7,625.00 - $9,799.00B New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

In Office

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

The Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP) of the California Department of Public Health works to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We run the largest screening program in the world and set the standard in delivering high-quality, cost-effective genetic services to all Californians.

“The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.”

“ The CDPH is currently an E-Verify employer. ”

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control # (534280) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application . Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email [e-mail] for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.


• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

GDSP is looking for motivated candidates that have the following:

• Experience in scientific research discipline, primary focus on biochemistry.


• A strong work ethic, good interpersonal, and team-oriented skills.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Adaptable and flexible to constant changes.


• The ability to work in a fast-paced work environment.


• Well-organized and have a positive attitude and professional demeanor.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources Division
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact:
Jefferson Rivera
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

Attach the additional documents as part of the application package.

• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). See instructions below.


• A copy of your CA CLS license as a California Clinical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist), or a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist.

Your SOQ must address the prompt below and it must be submitted in a separate Word document. Responses should not be longer than two pages, single-spaced, with 12 pt. font and 1-inch margins.

• Describe how your academic background meets the minimum qualifications for the Research Scientist classification. In your response, identify your degree(s), relevant scientific specialty or closely related specialty and how they align with the scientific principles required for this classification.

PLEASE NOTE: Resumes, letters, transcripts, degrees, your state application, cover letters and other materials will not take the place of the SOQ. Simply copying and pasting your resume will also not be accepted. Applications received without an SOQ will be rejected.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.