Overview
Job Description and Duties
Candidates 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.
The candidate works under the general supervision of the Research Scientist Supervisor I (Microbiological Sciences) in the Food and Drug Laboratory Branch (FDLB), Microbiology Section, Microbiology Test Unit. The Research Scientist II (Microbiological Sciences) (RS II) plans and carries out scientific research of moderate scientific scope and complexity such as method development and improvement of test methods. Participates in planning and conducting broad or complex analytical investigations relating to microbial contamination of food products (including) human food, animal food, food defense products and National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) samples and analysis of environmental samples (including wastewater sample and swabs) for pathogens. This includes, but is not limited to, isolation, identification and characterization of a variety of pathogens, primarily bacterial, but can also include viral, fungal, and parasite pathogens. The use of standard operation procedures to work on product and environmental samples submitted to the laboratory for analysis. Responsible for pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical parts of an investigation, which includes processing of samples for enrichment, carrying out analysis for identification and confirmation of pathogen isolated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), VITEK2 Compact (Biomerieu Inc.) analysis or Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) and writing of reports for submission to the supervisor. Post-confirmation work will include whole genome sequencing, DNA sequence analysis, and upload to PulseNet National Database or National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
About The California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public's health in the Golden State and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor to the state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Shared Vision
CDPH public health professionals, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and other staff members have a shared vision to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We are dedicated to public service and passionate about our work and the people and communities we serve and protect.
