Research Scientist Supervisor, Zoonotic and Vector borne Diseases Molecular and Sequencing Research

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.

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 being responsible for the supervision of Research Scientists and other lower-level staff. The Research Scientist Supervisor (RSS I) is the direct supervisor and technical leader of the Zoonotic and Vector borne Diseases Section. Duties include providing administrative guidance and direction to subordinates and planning, organizing, and directing major scientific research studies or public health investigations of a broad scientific scope and complexity, making independent decisions, and serving as a consultant to other lower-level scientists conducting studies in the field of zoonotic and vector borne diseases. The RSS I performs administrative duties including budgeting and program planning for special scientific research projects, recruitment, training, and supervising appropriate research personnel and other lower-level staff. The RSSI may conduct highly specialized phases of a major scientific project or investigation that would require coordination with professional staff from other State, local, or Federal agencies and publish or present such scientific research or investigations to other public health experts and the community.

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.

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.