Exam Bulletin - Research Scientist Senior

State of California

Exam Code: EX-4864

Examination Plans Included:

  • RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR: $9,573.00 - $12,394.00 per Month

View the RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

A Scientific Specialty may be selected in the Work Type Preferences on the Optional Conditions of Employment Selections section found in the exam application's "Application Package" tab. The selected Scientific Specialty indicates the types of experience and educational background you have obtained.

To view detailed descriptions of the specialties, please refer to the Classification Specification link provided above. 

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

    4864

For RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-04864

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00105609 - RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR

Education: The required degree must be in one of the specified scientific specialties or closely related field obtained from an accredited United States college/university or from a foreign institution that is officially recognized by the appropriate national education authority as reflected in the International Handbook of Universities or a comparable reference. If recognition cannot be confirmed, the degree must be evaluated for equivalency to accreditation through a foreign credential evaluation service recognized by the California Department of Education, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, or a similar authority.

A “closely related field” refers to a scientific specialty that significantly overlaps in subject matter, methodologies, and principles with one of the scientific specialties listed above. It typically involves comparable coursework, research techniques, and professional applications. Appointing authorities should determine whether a field qualifies as “closely related”, based on factors such as the relevance of the knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained, the degree of similarity in methodologies, and the applicability of the experience to the specialty. An analysis of coursework may be required to make a determination if the degree is in a closely related field.

Click here to view approved closely related specialties.

“Professional scientific research experience” refers to work conducted in one or more of the scientific specialties identified in the Description of Series or a closely related field. This experience must involve the application of scientific principles and demonstrate proficiency in research methodologies and data analysis. Qualifying work includes developing and planning the parameters of scientific studies or experiments, assisting with or conducting experiments or trials, collecting and analyzing data or samples, collaborating with others to develop scientific techniques, documenting findings, and contributing to scholarly publications. Such experience may occur inside or outside of a laboratory setting and may be obtained through employment in government, academic, or industry settings.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of professional scientific research experience in any of the stated specialties or in a closely related specialty, which shall include at least one year of experience equivalent to a Research Scientist Staff; and

Possession of a master’s or doctoral degree in any of the stated specialties or in a closely related specialty.

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

FDA-Related Positions:
For Positions involved in conducting inspections and collecting samples under contract to United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), operating under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act or reviewing confidential FDA investigative and other non-public information, the candidate must meet the requirements to be commissioned by the FDA which may include a background check prior to appointment.

Veterinary-Related Positions:
Positions involving the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery, or any branch thereof, will require a valid license issued by the Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine for the State of California to practice as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine prior to appointment.

Clinical Laboratory Positions:
For positions involving testing that is regulated by the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), the incumbent must meet the education, experience, certification, or licensing requirements specific to applicable essential job functions.

Federal Select Agent Program Positions:
Positions that are involved with testing of pathogens, toxins, or chemicals regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program will require a background check and compliance with the California Department of Public Health Select Agent Personnel Suitability Assessment Program.

Position Description

00105609 - RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR

This is the advanced journey level in the series. Under general direction, incumbents plan, organize, and direct major, complex scientific research studies with statewide sensitivity and policy impact; make original, independent decisions on complex scientific problems using scientific theories and principles on association and risk, develop and test hypotheses on causes; conceive, plan, develop, and conduct large and complex, professional scientific research studies on a statewide or national basis in unexplored areas of research; provide evaluations and scientific recommendations as a scientific expert; seek and analyze scientific, technical, medical, environmental, and other relevant information from sources within and outside the organization as part of the decision-making process; participate in the development of public policies in various scientific specialties; provide consultation to departmental management and others as requested; make presentations to experts and the community on the scientific research conducted; publish research in scientific journals; act as a subject- matter expert in various scientific specialties; provide interpretations of scientific research findings for use by others; act as an expert witness in legal proceedings; and perform other related work. The results of the incumbent’s scientific research may be used in a variety of programs. Incumbents may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project, program function, or area of expertise; may act as a mentor to lower-level staff; and may act as consultants to other technical staff, management, and other agencies in those matters. Incumbents at this level possess a higher degree of decision-making authority and the work they perform has a higher consequence of error than that of the lower-level classifications in this series.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Online ExamContinuous100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

  1. Current scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area
  2. Principles and procedures of scientific research and investigation planning, design, methodology and analysis
  3. Methods of preparation of scientific research reports
  4. Scientific and statistical methods and procedures
  5. Data processing techniques
  6. Bibliographic survey or previous related scientific research techniques
  7. Determination and qualification of variables and mechanization of compilation of scientific data
Ability to:
  1. Evaluate the adequacy of proposed scientific research and investigation designs and techniques
  2. Think independently and creatively
  3. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university and private research organizations
  4. Communicate effectively, prepare scientific articles for publication
  5. Prepare scientific reports
  6. Provide persuasive and skilled guidance to other staff in scientific research, principles and methods
  7. Apply professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations
  8. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
  9. Participate as a team member on research or scientific investigation projects
  10. Make independent decisions in a very limited area of a scientific specialty
  11. Provide information to higher-level scientists in support of decisions on scientific research
  12. Interpret scientific findings and present to higher-level scientists
  13. Apply established guidelines and scientific techniques
  14. Lead small scientific projects
  15. Plan, organize, and direct scientific research studies of a highly developed scientific scope and complexity
  16. Serve as a team leader for complex research or scientific investigation projects
  17. Serve as a consultant to other research scientists
  18. Make complex scientifically-based decisions within their scope of expertise
  19. Act as a subject matter and scientific technical expert
  20. Make recommendations to management on scientific policy issues
  21. Apply expert scientific knowledge in their stated area of specialty
  22. Work independently and develop scientific guidelines and technical procedures
  23. Act as a subject matter and scientific technical expert
  24. Make recommendations to management on scientific policy issues

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Research Scientist Senior Training and Experience Evaluation Preview

  • “Length of Experience”

  • Candidate will indicate the length of experience they have at performing the task. 


  • “Level of Skill”

  • Candidate will indicate the type of skill they have while performing the task.


Tasks:
  1. Planning and organizing major scientific research studies that are complex and have statewide sensitivity and policy impacts. 
  2. Directing major scientific research studies that are complex and have statewide sensitivity and policy impacts.
  3. Serving as a team member on health projects and investigations within a program on a specific phase of a more complex scientific research study. 
  4. Acting as a technical scientific consultant on health projects and investigations within a program on a specific phase of a more complex scientific research study. 
  5. Serving as a scientific advisor to other lower-level scientists conducting studies in a specific scientific field. 
  6. Serving as a consultant to other lower-level scientists conducting studies in a specific scientific field. 
  7. Solving problems using standard principles, procedures, and techniques for a scientific area of expertise. 
  8. Making original, independent decisions on complex scientific problems using scientific theories. 
  9. Making original, independent decisions on complex scientific problems using principles on association and risk. 
  10. Applying methods, techniques, and procedures to carry out assignments. 
  11. Conducting highly specialized phases of a major scientific project or investigation of sufficient scope to require coordination with other State, local, or Federal agencies.
  12. Presenting scientific research or investigations in peer reviewed scientific journals. 
  13. Publishing research in peer reviewed scientific journals. 
  14. Conceiving and planning scientific research work of large scope on a statewide or national basis that has extreme difficulty and complexity in unexplored areas. 
  15. Conducting scientific research work of large scope on a statewide or national basis that has extreme difficulty and complexity in unexplored areas. 
  16. Consulting with department management and others in areas appropriate to their qualifications and participate in the development of health policy. 
  17. Acting as a subject matter expert in conducting health scientific research that has the potential for adverse health impact on community health.
  18. Providing interpretations of scientific research for use by others. 
  19. Evaluating project status, providing feedback, and helping make decisions on the progress of projects. 
  20. Increasing public awareness of State scientific work through participants in public forums and outreach. 
  21. Drafting grant proposals for external funding.
  22. Presenting results of scientific research (in oral or poster) at recognized scientific research meetings.  
  23. Helping develop cooperative research partnership through working relationships with local, State, and Federal agencies. 
  24. Participating on workgroups, committees, and advisory bodies both internal and external. 
  25. Applying principles and procedures of scientific research planning, design, methodology, and analysis. 
  26. Using methods of preparation for scientific research reports. 
  27. Utilizing scientific statistical methods and procedures.
  28. Applying data processing techniques.
  29. Determining, qualifying, and compiling variables of scientific data. 
  30. Using scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area. 
  31. Applying methods and techniques for selecting appropriate samples for assessment, whether population-based or environment. 
  32. Establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university, and private research organizations.  
  33. Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, to peer management and lay audiences.  
  34. Preparing scientific articles and reports for publication. 
  35. Providing persuasive and skilled leadership to other staff in scientific research, principles and methods
  36. Applying professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations. 

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

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.

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.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State 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.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)