Researcher

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person. Our core purpose is to protect public health and serve impartial justice through forensic science and medicine. We exist to provide answers in support of families and communities during times of profound need.


The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.
- Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
- Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
- Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
- Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
- Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is searching for a qualified candidate who will endeavor to exemplify its core values of integrity, dedication, and putting the agency first. The selected candidate is responsible for conducting research/investigations in the area of Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) involving the evaluation of kits and platforms for forensic casework. Targeted approaches include short tandem repeats (STRs) or nuclear DNA and various regions of the mitochondrial DNA that are relevant for identifying individuals. The selected candidate will also participate in script development for robotic platforms for use within the Department of Forensic Biology. Duties will include but are not limited to:

- Supervise and train lower-level staff (Criminalist, City Research Scientists) in new methods implemented from research activities.
- Provides routine mentoring and evaluation of subordinates
- Performs bench work, from DNA extraction, PCR, quantitative real-time CPR, library preparations, and data analysis. DNA sequencing and MPS experience are preferred.
- Plans and develops activities related to the research and validation efforts of various projects.
- Perform data analysis and interpretation of research and evaluations of various instruments and projects as needed.
- Assists and/or performs writing of technical reports, publications, grant applications, and grant progress reports.
- Implements and maintains the quality control program within the laboratory; directs the maintenance of laboratory equipment and/or calibrates analytical instruments.
- Liaisons with other agency units, other governmental agencies, investigators, and outside representatives regarding research and validation activities.
- Monitors technical developments and trends in the forensic field.
- Other duties as assigned.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.