JC-– Senior Research Advisor; Chemical or Microbiological Sciences

Overview

California Department of Public Health - CDPH

Recruitment began on March 12, 2026 and the job listing Expires on April 1, 2026

Richmond, CA Early Career Alumni Jobs, Experienced Alumni Jobs, Full-Time Job, Mid Career Alumni Jobs

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently hiring a Research Scientist Senior position within our Center for Laboratory Sciences’ (CLS) Division of Environmental Health Laboratories (DEHL)! In this role, you will serve as a Senior Research Advisor and plan, direct, and execute major innovative and investigative special research projects that are critical to meet CDPH’s mission and vision.

The Final date to receive applications is April 1, 2026, at 11:59PM PT. Please reach out to  with any questions.

• Identify and analyze unknown toxic substances in various biomonitoring projects, food, drugs, cosmetics, water, air, and the environment that may be harmful to the public or involved in specific outbreaks, injuries, or deaths in California
• Gather and analyze all relevant, available, scientific, technical, medical, and other information from sources within and outside CDPH for these projects
• Integrate the research and results of analysis into the decision-making process and prepare for use in public health prevention and control programs, and make scientific recommendations based on these studies
• Responsible for conducting large scope, complex, and sensitive scientific research work on the analysis and identification of harmful substances, and identify, assess, and generate data on existing and emerging chemicals of concern in California as assigned by the Division Chief
• Conceive, plan, and conduct research on new and unexplored research matter into contaminants, harmful substances, and chemicals of interest to develop methods and guidelines for Californians
• Ensure high-quality results by adhering to the relevant laws, regulations, and policies, implementing and monitoring the best practices and procedures
• Provide consultation to DEHL departmental management, CLS leadership and others as requested; make presentations to State public health experts and the community on the scientific research conducted on toxic chemicals, harmful substances, and chemicals of concern and products that may have adverse effects on public health and the environment and publish this research in scientific journals
• Consult on chemical analysis data review, quality assessment, and monitoring in pre-production phases, (before project implementation and analysis of samples) for projects of the incoming data, as well as post-production phases, (the verification of final reporting or continuing reporting of data and its interpretation)
• Identify and troubleshoot data quality issues quickly and efficiently; review reports on status; and monitor data outputs
• Develop and manage research grant agreements and/or contracts with Federal, State, and public health organizations on food product testing, drug testing, environmental testing, air quality testing, and biomonitoring programs to ensure compliance with the terms and objectives of the grant

At 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.

New to State Service? The following steps will navigate you through the application process: