Job Posting: Senior Research Advisor (Chemical or Microbiological Sciences)

Department of Public Health

JC-511107
-
Senior Research Advisor (Chemical or Microbiological Sciences)
RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR

$9,573.00 - $12,394.00 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: 4/1/2026

Job Description and Duties

Incumbents in one of these classifications, where a Master’s Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Master’s and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by providing evaluations and scientific recommendations as a scientific expert.

The Research Scientist Senior will serve as a Senior Research Advisor. Plans, directs, and executes major innovative and investigative, special research projects on behalf of the Division Environmental Health Laboratories (DEHL). Responsible for conducting large scope, complex and sensitive scientific research work as assigned by the Division Chief. Conceive, plan and conduct research on new and unexplored research matter. Provides consultation to DEHL departmental management, Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) leadership and others as requested; make presentations to State public health experts and the community on the scientific research conducted and also publish this research in scientific journals.

The incumbent works under general direction of the Chief of the Division of Environmental Health Laboratories, Center for Laboratory Sciences.


Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment

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

Working Conditions


Telework Information

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.


Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-511107
Position #(s):
580-720-5609-003
Working Title:
Senior Research Advisor (Chemical or Microbiological Sciences)
Classification:
RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR
$9,573.00 - $12,394.00
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:
Contra Costa County
Telework:
Hybrid
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 for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, touch the lives of everyone who calls California home, and the millions who visit here each year.

The essential functions of the Department are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.

The Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) is based on the Richmond Campus which employs more than 1,200 people. The Richmond Campus is a flat, 29-acre property located in Richmond's Marina Bay. The CLS serves to protect and promote the health of all Californians through innovative and collaborative infectious disease and environmental testing, including provision of investigation and surveillance activities which form the basis of disease response and prevention. The CLS works to bring together emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications reflecting a new level of coordination, support, and leadership for the public health laboratory system at the state, local and national level. In addition, the Center relies on a continuous improvement infrastructure as a core value in developing solutions that emphasize a culture of quality and performance through performance management success. And we have FREE parking!


*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 an E-Verify employer.

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

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts official or un-official and/or Degree for education verification.

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 # (511107) 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 apply@cdph.ca.gov 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.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 4/1/2026

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).

How To Apply

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 CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Public Health
CCAU Mailing
Attn: Classification & Certification Unit
P.O. Box 997378
MS 1700-1702
Sacramento, CA 95899-7378

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Public Health
CCAU Drop Off
Classification & Certification Unit
1615 Capitol Avenue Suite 73.430
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    Please see Statement of Qualifications instructions below at end of posting.  Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SOQ will not be scored/reviewed.

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.

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:

Chemical or Microbiological Sciences

• A Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant scientific field (e.g., biology, microbiology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, or related disciplines).

• Additional certifications or training in quality management systems for laboratory accreditation highly desired (e.g., CLIA and ISO/IEC 17025, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), or Six Sigma).

• Several years of hands-on laboratory research experience, with a proven track record of scientific publications and contributions to the field.

• Demonstrated experience in Maintenance, Calibration and Measuring laboratory equipment.

• Experience with regulatory standards and compliance, including FDA, EPA, OSHA, and other relevant agencies.

• In-depth knowledge of scientific principles, laboratory techniques, and testing procedures.

• Proficiency in quality assurance methodologies, process improvement, and quality control.

• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and standards applicable to laboratory operations.

• Excellent project management skills to oversee multiple laboratory programs and initiatives.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with stakeholders, authors, and regulatory bodies, and to report findings and resolutions.

• Attention to detail for reviewing records, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and ensuring compliance and effectiveness.

• Proficiency in drafting and reviewing technical documents, including SOPs, quality manuals, and regulatory reports.

• Ability to lead and inspire a team, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement and collaboration across laboratory programs.

• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.

• Flexibility to adapt to changing regulations, technologies, and scientific advancements. 

• Commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and integrity in all research and quality assurance activities.

• Membership in professional organizations (e.g., American Society for Quality (ASQ), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)).

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with industry trends and regulatory changes.


Benefits


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
(916) 445-0983
apply@cdph.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Maria Quitugua
(279) 213-1447
maria.quitugua@cdph.ca.gov

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
(916) 445-0938
CivilRights@Cdph.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.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions


SOQ - Based on the duty statement for this position, describe how your employment and educational experience qualifies you for this position.



NOTE: When responding, applicants must follow these guidelines:

• Response must be typewritten or generated by word processing on 8-1/2 x 11 paper, using no smaller than an 11-point font.

• Response should be no longer than a total of two pages, single spaced, with 1-inch margins.

• Identify each page with your full name and position number.

• Ensure your response is complete, specific, clear, and concise.


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.

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