Public Health Laboratory Scientist

State of North Carolina

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Health Laboratory Scientist position provides full-time, on-site project management and advanced laboratory scientific expertise in support of the NCSLPH Infectious Disease Branch’s clinical and reference operations. It leads the development, optimization, verification, validation, and implementation of new and updated laboratory methods for detecting and characterizing a wide range of pathogens. This role ensures high-quality, compliant diagnostic activities by coordinating with quality assurance, safety, biosafety, and other laboratory support teams. The position supervises a small team and collaborates with leadership to streamline onboarding of new assays, instrumentation, and workflows. It also supports surge testing during heightened public health response needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in public or private employment service-related work including experience in a lead, coaching, or mentoring capacity including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity OR Associate degree and five years of experience in public or private employment service-related work including experience in a lead, coaching, or mentoring capacity including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Expert-level experience executing method development workflows, including assay optimization, verification, validation, and implementation using advanced infectious disease diagnostic techniques.
• Demonstrated proficiency applying laboratory quality assurance practices, including CLIA‑aligned quality control review, root‑cause analysis, and documentation of corrective actions within high‑complexity testing environments.
• Advanced skill interpreting analytical results across molecular, microbiological, virological, and immunological methods, including evaluation of quality control metrics and integration of findings into clinical reporting workflows.
• Proven experience managing laboratory project timelines, coordinating multi‑team implementation activities, and reducing onboarding times for new assays, platforms, and instrumentation through structured project management practices.
• Strong competency training laboratory personnel on new diagnostic methods and workflows, including delivery of technical instruction, performance monitoring, and documentation of process adherence.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, verification, validation, and implementation of new and updated infectious disease testing methods.
• Manage method-development projects to ensure timely onboarding of assays, workflows, and instrumentation across the laboratory.
• Supervise 2–3 laboratory staff and provide technical direction and support during method development and implementation activities.
• Prepare and review validation and verification plans and reports to meet regulatory and quality standards.
• Integrate new instrument platforms and scalable workflows to improve efficiency of existing diagnostic methods.
• Coordinate with quality assurance, safety, and biosafety teams to ensure compliance with CLIA and laboratory quality management practices.
• Interpret analytical results, assess quality control measures, and support accurate clinical result reporting.
• Compile scientific data, prepare technical reports, and communicate findings to laboratory leadership and program partners.
• Provide technical training to laboratory staff on new methods, workflows, and instrumentation.
• Participate in surge testing operations during periods of increased public health demand.

Benefits

• Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees