RESEARCH SCIENTIST 1, PHARMACY
Pharmacy
Career Family: RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Because Research Scientist 1, Pharmacy is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.
Candidates need a master's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $100,498 to $148,187, and state payroll currently lists about 129 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. 13 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 13 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Research Scientist 1, Pharmacy appears on the State payroll at 13 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
Showing the largest 8 of 13 departments. All agencies.
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 88th 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 129 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $138,568. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (61)
- Environmental Protection (37)
- Human Services (8)
- Children and Families (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 direction of a division director or other supervisory official in a State department, institution, or agency, supervises and independently initiates, designs, coordinates, and implements highly-complex pharmaceutical research projects and develops pharmacy or pharmacovigilance programs; supervises highly-complex pharmaceutical-based tests and analyses primarily in a laboratory setting, and may include related field and/or office work; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required. *In the Cannabis Regulatory Commission this candidate will be responsible for the research, testing, analyses, investigation and reporting of Cannabis and Hemp products.
Examples of work
Develops appropriate pharmaceutical-based research protocols and designs, including preparation of project scope and budget, determination of sampling design and schedules, collection and analysis of data, and preparation of reports suitable for submission to scholarly publications. Supervises activities of subordinate research staff and reviews, modifies, approves, or disapproves studies proposed by subordinate staff to ensure compliance with appropriate research methodology and statistical techniques. Supervises the development, and reviews and analyzes all publications and other documents pertaining to current pharmaceutical-based research developments and disseminates information to internal and external professional staff. Prepares applications for federal and other grant funds through the design of original and creative pharmaceutical research projects. Supervises the acquisition, control, and maintenance of supplies and equipment to ensure availability for ongoing and proposed research projects. Conduct pharmaceutical compliance and performance audits, inspections, and investigation. Research best practices and provide advice to supervisors and/or management for the development of pharmacy policies, procedures, and drug protocols. Provides consultative services to pharmacists and employes of community and institutional pharmacies, drug outlets and drug manufacturers or distributors to determine medical dispensing patterns and provide education on strains and interactions. Investigates reported complaints and suspected violations of statutes and agency board rules to uncover cases of irregular practices, adulteration and/or misbranding of prescription drugs; obtains evidence of suspected items and forwards them for analysis, if necessary. Prepare reports of actions and resolutions for executive management related to issues of non-compliance and adverse reactions. Supervises the Agency's statewide pharmacy compliance, enforcement, and educational programs; identifies pharmacy and drug-related trends that may require department and/or board action. Represents the Department in public relations regarding pharmacy and drug matters, acts as liaison officer between the Agency and other state agencies, groups, boards, consumers on pharmacy and medical science matters. Writes administrative rules, provider manuals, and state plan materials, that is correct and consistent with state and federal regulations, laws and policies; responds to requests for information, requests for policy interpretation, requests for exception to policy and participates in special studies and special projects related to areas of responsibility. Provides supervision and technical training to laboratory personnel in instrument utilization, procedure development, and research. Functions as a scientific consultant in areas pertaining to pharmaceutical expertise; provides responses to scientific inquiries. May serve as an active member or chair on scientific boards, committees, or task forces. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Develops and maintains liaison with state, federal, academic, and other individuals to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Pharmacy or other appropriate pharmaceutical science discipline.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in pharmaceutical analyses or research.
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 the principles, methods, practices, techniques, and materials of pharmacy. Knowledge of federal and state laws and rules pertaining to the use of pharmaceuticals. Knowledge of the required records kept, and operational procedures followed in community and institutional pharmacies and other categories of licensees. Knowledge of investigational techniques, methods, and procedures. Knowledge of principles and practices of modern research methods, including research design, data collection, data evaluation techniques, methodology of technical analyses and interpretation of results and findings. Knowledge of statistical techniques, modern laboratory automation systems, methodology, and procedures pertaining to pharmaceutical research, and of methods of ensuring conformance therewith. Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, including the most current analytical instrumentation utilized in pharmaceutical 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 pharmaceutical analyses. Ability to explain and interpret pharmaceutical regulations clearly either verbally or in writing. Ability to provide consultative service to pharmacists, other allied health professionals, and lay persons. Ability to develop guidelines for compliance and evaluate obtained results. Ability to supervise, implement, and carry out pharmaceutical research activities. Ability to effectively communicate operational deficiencies and recommend appropriate courses of corrective action. Ability to assign and instruct technical and other staff, to verify the results of tests, examinations, and analyses made by staff, and to supervise the performance of their work. Ability to provide supervision and technical training to laboratory personnel and other staff. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize and implement projects within the unit. Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions concerning research and administrative problems. Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with personnel assigned to other units within the department and division and with others concerned with the work of the research unit. Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, scientifically sound, clinically accurate, and informative reports of tests and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to write scientific articles, reports, and/or peer reviewed scientific publications. Ability to present research findings and participate in technical meetings and conferences. Ability to prepare detailed correspondence. Ability to prepare the annual budget. Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. Ability to learn how 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, 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 pharmaceutical discipline may be substituted for two (2) years of experience indicated above.