RESEARCH SCIENTIST

State of California; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Covered California in Sacramento invites applications for a Research Data Scientist. The role leads complex empirical studies to improve marketplace operations and guides data science strategies for health policy interventions, with statistical analysis of health care and enrollment data.

The position is hybrid with potential telework, located at 1601 Exposition Blvd. The successful candidate will develop data infrastructure, present findings to stakeholders, and contribute to cutting-edge

Qualifications

• Experience with healthcare or health policy data is preferred.
• Ability to design and execute empirical studies and analyses.
• Strong statistical and data science skills applied to health data.

Skills

RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Job description

Research Data 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: 10/29/2026

Are you passionate about making a real-world impact through data science? Covered California invites you to apply for the Research Data Scientist position. This role involves leading complex empirical studies to improve our marketplace operations, spearheading data science strategies for policy interventions, and offering statistical expertise in health care and enrollment data analysis. You'll drive innovative research, ensure rigorous project standards, develop data infrastructure, and present findings to various stakeholders. Join us to contribute to groundbreaking health policy research and help optimize services for millions of Californians.

At Covered California, we recognize our employees are our most valuable asset. We have a variety of career fields that help make a difference in the lives of Californians, and we’re looking for talented and enthusiastic individuals to join our team! Learn more about why you should join the Policy, Eligibility, and Research Division .

This position is headquartered in Sacramento County at 1601 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. Travel expenses associated with commuting to the employee’s office headquarters location are not reimbursable, other than authorized transit subsidies.

NOTE: To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. If you are new to California State service and you do not have list eligibility, you must take the exam for this classification. To gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin.

Possession of minimum qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment . If it is determined an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant's name may be removed from the eligibility list.

Covered California does not provide visa sponsorship and is not an E-Verify employer.

Effective October 1, 2025, in response to the budget deficit, the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) has implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee working their assigned work schedule receive a 3.5 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 6 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 30, 2027.

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

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for telework. In accordance with Government Code section 14200, only employees who reside in California are eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Covered California’s current telework policy. While Covered California supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Number of Positions

1

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Work Shift

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Work Week

Monday - Friday

Department Information

Covered California works to improve the health of all Californians by assuring their access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Our employees are the vital link that ensures that our vision, mission, and values are fully realized and are the driving force that allows us to continually provide exceptional service to those who need it most.

We offer an award-winning wellness program, inclusive and diverse atmosphere, employee recognition programs, on site fitness centers at our Sacramento and Service Center locations, and free parking at all of our locations!

Life can change in an instant - so can your career!

Visit our website to learn more about why Covered California is an employer of choice.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions: A SOQ is required to apply. The SOQ will be used as a pre-interview screening tool. Applicants who do not follow the SOQ instructions and/or do not answer the prompt as stated below may not be considered.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Where assistive tools may be used, responses within the SOQ should be your own original work. Applicants must write in their own words and avoid plagiarism. Failure to comply may be cause for disqualification.

Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring managers review. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. The SOQ must not exceed 1 page in length in 11-point Arial font. The SOQ must address the following questions, numbered, and in the order listed below:

• Describe your experience working with healthcare or health policy data.
• Describe a research or evaluation project where you developed the study design and analytic plan, executed analyses, generated a report or publication, and made recommendations.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with data analytics with demonstrated mastery of statistical software and/or programming languages such as R, Python, or SQL.
• Research experience in healthcare, health policy, or closely related field.
• Experience applying a range of statistical modeling approaches including regression and linear probability models, randomized and quasi-experimental casual inference approaches (e.g. intent-to-treat analyses, difference-indifference, interrupted time-series models) and/or machine learning models.
• Academic graduate training that included research methods topics such as experimental and quasi-experimental design, program evaluation, survey design, qualitative and mixed methods and/or econometric analysis.
• Experience designing and managing an original research project.
• Experience interpreting analytical output and communication results of analyses to executives and decision-makers through data visualizations, writing, and presentations.

The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health, Vision, Dental, Retirement, and an array of other options. For more information on the benefits offered by the State of California, please click below:

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

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.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Background Check: All applicants shall be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The investigation will consist of completion of a pre-employment questionnaire, fingerprinting, and an inquiry to the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose criminal records.

• You must not be employed by or otherwise affiliated with health insurance carriers, other insurers, agents, brokers, health care professionals, health facilities, or health clinics, or trade associations of any of these entities. This also means that you must not hold an active license to sell health insurance in California.
• You must not hold an active license to sell health insurance in California.
• Health care professionals are welcome to join our team, provided you do not receive payment for professional services and do not hold ownership or financial interests in a health care practice.

Conflict of Interest: This position is also designated under Covered California’s Conflict of Interest Code. This means if you’re selected to join us, you’ll be required to disclose certain financial interests, including of a spouse, that could potentially interfere with your ability to perform your duties impartially and with the best interests of the public in mind. You may also be disqualified from participating in decisions that may affect those financial interests.

Please email any questions or concerns you may have prior to accepting a final offer of employment to [e-mail] .

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.