RESEARCH SCIENTIST 2, MICROBIOLOGY
Microbiology
Career Family: RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Research Scientist 2, Microbiology is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
It expects a master's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $91,628 to $134,900, and state payroll currently lists about 194 people in the title, led by Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 7 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 7 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Research Scientist 2, Microbiology appears on the State payroll at 8 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Research Scientist series
- Research Scientist 3 — $79,844 – $117,228
- Research Scientist 2 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Research Scientist 1 — $100,498 – $148,187
Its top salary lands around the 80th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 194 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $113,615. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (109)
- Environmental Protection (54)
- Children and Families (11)
- Board of the Public Utilities (6)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 the general supervision of a Research Scientist 1, Microbiology or other supervisory official in a State department, institution, or agency, takes the lead in designing, coordinating, and implementing complex microbiological or molecular biology-based research projects; performs complex microbiological or molecular biology-based tests and analyses primarily in a laboratory setting, and may include related field and/or office work; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Develops appropriate microbiological or molecular biology-based research protocols and designs, collects and analyzes data and samples obtained, and prepares reports suitable for submission to scholarly publications.
- Implements and coordinates analytical projects.
- Implements and reviews new analytical procedures and methodologies utilized in microbiological or molecular biology-based analyses.
- Assists in providing technical and functional leadership in the operation, repair, and implementation of highly-sophisticated analytical instrumentation utilized in microbiological or molecular biology-based testing.
- Initiates, designs, and implements new immunological, microbiological, and molecular biology-based testing techniques such as direct and indirect fluorescent antibody procedures, specific methods development, and other analytical microbiological or molecular biology-based tools.
- Provides guidance and technical training to laboratory personnel in instrument utilization, procedure development, and research.
- Verifies the results of tests, examinations, and analyses made by technical staff.
- May function as a scientific consultant in areas pertaining to specific expertise; provides responses to scientific inquiries.
- Develops and maintains liaison with State, federal, academic, and other individuals to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern.
- Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Prepares detailed correspondence.
- Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master of Science degree in microbiology molecular biology or other appropriate biological discipline.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology or other appropriate biological discipline.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in microbiological or molecular biology analysis or research.
Four (4) years of experience in microbiological analysis or research; one (1) year of which must be in the operation of technical and complex instrumentation used in microbiological or molecular biology -based analysis including but not limited to Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight mass spectrometry ((MALDI-TOF MS); Real-Time-PCR instruments; Next Generation Sequencing instruments; fluorescent microscopes; high-throughput ELISA or NAAT instrumentation.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of research methods including research design, data collection, and data evaluation techniques.
- Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods.
- Knowledge of the laboratory automation systems, methodology, and procedures pertaining to the area of specific research in microbiology.
- Knowledge of the specialty area assigned, including the most current analytical instrumentation utilized microbiological or molecular biology- based testing.
- Knowledge of appropriate federal regulations and procedural methods requirements.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret scientific data.
- Ability to operate and maintain scientific instruments utilized for microbiological or molecular biology-based analyses.
- Ability to provide guidance and technical training to laboratory personnel and other staff.
- Ability to verify the results of tests, examinations, and analyses made by technical staff.
- Ability to design, coordinate, and implement microbiological or molecular biology-based research projects.
- Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions concerning research problems.
- Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with personnel assigned to other units within the department and division, and with external stakeholders.
- Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
- Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various type of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and 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 if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
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 Doctorate in a microbiological discipline may be substituted for two (2) years of experience indicated above.
<b>OR</b>
Appointees may be required to perform physical activities such as lifting, carrying, and standing for an extended period of time.
Appointees may be required to get vaccinations or submit vaccination records.
Appointees may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment.