JC-464985 – Vaccine and Molecular Scientist

Overview

The Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory Program (VRDL) is one of the oldest and largest state public health virology laboratories. As a CLIA-certified state public health laboratory performing high complexity testing, it serves as the reference laboratory for local public health laboratories and other clients and provides some primary testing for local public health departments that do not have laboratories. The VRDL is an advanced reference laboratory for the federal Laboratory Response Network and is regulated under the federal Select Agents Program. VRDL provides laboratory testing, technical consultation and support, training and assistance, and research required for the diagnosis, investigation, and control of Viral and Rickettsial diseases, and for the development and maintenance of high-quality state and local public health laboratory services in California.

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases Section (VPDS) is one of four laboratory diagnostic testing sections in the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory, Center for Laboratory Sciences, California Department of Public Health. The VPDS performs diagnostic and surveillance testing for measles, mumps, hepatitis A, mpox, and other vaccine preventable diseases to support clinical diagnosis, disease surveillance, and epidemiological investigations. VPDS employs a wide array of test methods, including serologic, fluorescent antibody, and molecular detection and virus variant typing assays, including molecular epidemiological studies of measles, hepatitis A, and mpox to provide valuable support to epidemiological investigations by pinpointing sources of human exposures.

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.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by planning, organizing, and performing scientific research studies to advance detection and scientific understanding of vaccine preventable viruses and rickettsial pathogens.

The Research Scientist I (Microbiological Sciences) (RS I) will perform high complexity testing and provide technical scientific consultation on the detection and surveillance for measles, mumps, mpox, hepatitis A virus, and select rickettsial diseases, as well as the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 public health response. Under supervision of senior scientific personnel, the incumbent will support outbreak investigations and pathogen characterization projects using a variety of complex methods that may include, but are not limited to, immunoserology, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and amplicon and whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (MICROBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)
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:

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of experience in a public health laboratory setting working with infectious materials performing research in the detection of viruses.

Technical skills desired include practical work performing real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and antibody detection assays; knowledge of sterile techniques and standard precautions for working with pathogens and potentially infectious clinical specimens.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to perform micromanipulations such as pipetting small volumes and other fine measurements using laboratory equipment.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work independently to develop, evaluate, and apply scientific research techniques into viruses and rickettsia, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a positive and self-motivated style, and the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

A valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate is desired.

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.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=464985

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.