RESEARCH SCIENTIST 1 (Competitive)
Career Family: RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Research Scientist 1 is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
Of the 3 Research Scientist grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Research Scientist 2. It expects 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 filled by competitive examination.
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 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 (this title)
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 general supervision of a division director or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, independently initiates and coordinates a research or functional program in a specified professional field; assumes appropriate administrative and supervisory duties; manages high level technical projects and reports results to designated officials for inter- and intra-agency response; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Independently designs, coordinates, and implements specialized research and/or analytical programs of a highly complex, technical nature in accord with existing administrative and fiscal guidelines.
- Develops appropriate research protocols and designs, collects and analyzes data obtained, and prepares reports thereof suitable for submission to scholarly publications.
- May supervise and direct activities of subordinate research staff and reviews, modifies, approves, or disapproves studies proposed by said staff to ensure compliance with appropriate research methodology and statistical techniques.
- Develops, reviews, and analyzes all publications and other documents pertaining to current 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 research projects.
- Directs the acquisition, control, and maintenance of supplies and equipment to ensure availability for ongoing and proposed research projects.
- Prepares and edits annual, monthly, and other research and grant reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Prepares annual budget request.
- Functions as scientific consultant in areas pertaining to specific expertise.
- Develops and maintains liaison with state, federal, academic, and other individuals to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern.
- Directs the maintenance of essential records and files.
- Will be required to learn 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 a discipline appropriate to the position.
Experience
Four (4) years of full-time experience in a field 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 than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of principles and practices of modern research methods, evaluation techniques, and methodology of technical analyses and interpretation of results and findings.
- Knowledge of statistical techniques, modern laboratory automation systems, methodology, and procedures pertaining to the area of specific research, and of methods of ensuring conformance therewith.
- Knowledge of the specialty area assigned including the most current analytical instrumentation utilized in specialty area.
- Knowledge of appropriate federal regulations and procedural methods requirements.
- 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 plan, organize, and direct the work programs and schedules of research staff.
- Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate research activities.
- 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 direct 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 and take an active part in meetings and conferences.
- Ability to prepare official correspondence in connection with the research program. 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 employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: 30/P30- (NL) LJG 2/5/97 30/P31- (4E)
Note
The definition and examples of work for 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 discipline appropriate to the position may be substituted for two (2) years of experience indicated above.