RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Research Scientist falls in New Jersey's unclassified service: an appointing authority hires for it directly, without a civil service exam.
Qualifying takes a doctoral degree and 4 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →Why this title is unclassified
This specification cites NJSA 11A: 3.4l, state unclassified service.
(l) All other titles as provided by law or as the Civil Service Commission may determine.
A title in the State unclassified service sits outside Title 11A unless a provision says otherwise. In practice that means no competitive examination to get the job, and none of the career service protections that come with it: no permanent status after a working test period, and no right of appeal to the Civil Service Commission from a removal. Appointment and removal rest with the appointing authority.
The rule that allocates a title to this service is N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.3.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under general direction, independently, initiates and conducts a research program in a specified field or, supervises staff engaged in conducting a research program or project; coordinates the research program with other programs within and outside of the agency as appropriate; does related duties.
Examples of work
- Uses sophisticated, often newly developed equipment to conduct unique experiments and/or develop new approaches to existing problems.
- Develops and introduces new procedures and approaches to existing analytical and/or research programs.
- Initiates, executes, and directs a research program or project independent of supervision.
- Exercises administrative, scientific, and technical supervision over personnel engaged in conducting a research program or project.
- Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, scientifically sound, accurate, and informative reports of the results accruing from research activities.
- Acts as a consultant to the department in the specific fields relating to an area of scientific competence.
- Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Coordinates the major projects under investigation with programs of other divisions, departments or agencies.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office of related units.
Education
A Doctorate from an accredited college or university in a discipline appropriate to the position.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in an area appropriate to the position.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather then employee mobility is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employee undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: 98/P98 - MCK 12/23/06
- This job specification is for state and local government use.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's degree in a discipline appropriate to the position plus an additional two (2) years of experience as specified above may be substituted for the Doctorate.