Research Scientist 2

Job Class: Research Scientist 2

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID : 76625

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part T ime : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all bidders of MDH and all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be accepted through 05/22/2024.

• Date Posted : 05/16/2024

• Closing Date : 05/30/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Health Department / Health-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Public Health Laboratory / PHL NBS Core/Molecular Staff

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday (One Saturdays per month)

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $30.55 - $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 - $94,001 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (~~~/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Join the mission-driven team at the Public Health Laboratory (PHL) and promote and protect the health of all Minnesotans!

This Research Scientist 2 position will

• Research, develop, validate, verify, and implement biochemical and molecular methods to screen for congenital and heritable disorders in newborn babies.

• Using dried blood spot specimens, design and improve assays using complex molecular tools and other advanced technologies for efficient and accurate detection of newborn screening disorders.

• Improve and add testing for existing and new disorders on Minnesota's testing panel in order to provide early identification of infants that are at risk of rare but serious health conditions.

• Quality control and quality assurance measures are incorporated into the testing and monitoring of testing performance.

• Statistics are applied for determination of normal and abnormal result ranges, and evaluating testing performance.

• Assist with core laboratory, molecular testing, and data interpretation in the CLIA certified newborn screening laboratory.

This position requires working one Saturdays per month in exchange for a day off during the week. This position also requires working some holidays.

All positions within the MDH Public Health Lab will work to cultivate an inclusive work environment for all, with respect to diversity and equity.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure your resume/application clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

• Three (3) years of laboratory experience with molecular testing.

A Master's degree in clinical chemistry, biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, genetics and cell biology, or a related science may substitute for 18 months of experience; A PhD in the above may substitute for 2 years of experience.

• CLIA Education Requirements are a minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter college credits that includes either: 1) 24 semester/36 quarter credits in medical laboratory technology; or 2) 24 semester/36 quarter credits of science courses that includes six semester/nine quarter credits in chemistry; six semester/nine quarter credits in biology; and twelve semester/eighteen quarter hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of course completion at time of interview .

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in newborn screening laboratory.

• Experience with sequencing testing and data analysis.

• Experience with research and development in a clinical or research lab.

• Ability to contribute to research plans for grant applications and progress reports.

• Validation and verification of new tests and instruments.

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication.

• Good judgment, integrity, diplomacy, critical thinking, and problem solving.

• Population based high throughput testing and molecular data interpretation.

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.

• Quality control interpretation and calculating statistics such as false positive rate, positive predictive value, etc.

• Operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of complex laboratory instruments.

• Computer based management of laboratory analyses, LIMS, databases, and electronic reporting.

• CLIA or CAP licensure compliance and application of quality assurance/quality control principals and systems.

Physical Requirements

Occasional transportation of up to 30 pounds.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of a background check.

Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of course completion at time of interview.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at ~~~ or email ~~~ . Please indicate what assistance is needed.