Forensic Scientist Job Description
Forensic scientist
provides leadership within RTI and the toxicology community to advance the understanding and practice of drug testing methods, quality assurance, laboratory management, and rigorous standards.
Forensic Scientist Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective forensic scientist job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included forensic scientist job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Review inspector reports from inspections of HHS-certified drug testing laboratories
Review all test results for applicable screening and confirmatory testing methodologies, relevant Quality Control data and associated documentation
Assist in preparation of litigation packages and affidavits
Assist in preparation for inspections and audits
Establish, maintain and improve analytical infrastructure and services for particle characterization by spectroscopy and microscopy
Install, qualify and maintain analytical instruments in close alignment with current best practices and regulations
Support the development and establish analytical methods and technologies (specifically including FT-IR, Raman, SEM-EDX, optical microscopy)
Diligent and traceable documentation of laboratory experiments
Author analytical development/ validation reports
Support of other functions within Drug Product Services, small molecule trace analysis and structure elucidation for Extractables / Leachables studies, issue analytics, protein characterization, elemental analyses, formulation development and DP QC with phys-chem analytical tests as required, possibly under GMP, following applicable SOP’s and all current documentation practices
Forensic Scientist Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Forensic Scientist
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: ISO, NIBIN, IAI
Education for Forensic Scientist
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the forensic scientist job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Education, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Science, Natural Science, Physics, Genetics
Skills for Forensic Scientist
Desired skills for forensic scientist include:
Laboratory safety and QA/QC procedures
Excel
Laboratory safety procedures
Outlook
PowerPoint
Basic theoretical principles and applications of the instrumentation and methodologies used to analyze controlled substances
MS Word
Quality assurance/quality control and laboratory practices
Instrumental analysis and experience in forensic drug analysis
Team and their respective analytical skills
Desired experience for forensic scientist includes:
Evaluate, develop and implement new methods and technologies, as required
Ensure proper maintenance of equipment, safety and health protection following lab and safety instructions and all cGMP regulations, where required
Interact with internal and external partners on the projects within responsibility
4 years of experience as a research/ technical assistant in pharmaceutical / chemical analytical research / development
Experience with parenteral dosage forms, protein formulations is a plus
Instructor certification from an accredited academic institution, local, state, or federal law enforcement institution or military organization, including on-line courses
Forensic Scientist Examples
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Forensic Scientist Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is growing rapidly and is looking for a forensic scientist. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for forensic scientist
- Review laboratory correspondence to verify appropriateness of corrective actions taken in response to issues/deficiencies identified in the inspection and performance testing phases of the program
- Review laboratory data from testing of donor specimens and performance testing samples to assess test performance compliance with federal requirements
- Perform as an NLCP inspector in onsite inspections of HHS-certified laboratories
- Assist in investigations of issues in federal and federally regulated workplace testing by reviewing laboratory data, standard operating procedures, and reports
- Work in a team environment with individual task assignments requiring initiative, responsibility and accountability
- Apply and interpret standard theories, concepts and techniques
- Manage simple projects, including timelines, budgets
- Identify other disciplines to involve in proposals and projects
- Interface with software developers and bioinformatics teams to adapt existing applications for forensics needs
- Understand modes of failure in the interpretation of genomic sequencing and devise and prototype solutions
Qualifications for forensic scientist
- Training on the job as analytical lab technician or a degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline
- Experience instructing crime scene investigation courses in an adult education program, college, or law enforcement training program
- Completion of advanced training in the field of crime scene investigations by a recognized federal, military, state, or local law enforcement training provider
- Candidates must be physically capable to endure strenuous activities in austere conditions
- Physical requirements may include lifting objects up to 50 pounds, standing outdoors for two hours at a time without a break in 80 degree weather conditions with up to 80% humidity
- Master’s degree and 6 years’ related experience as described in the responsibilities
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Forensic Scientist Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is looking for a forensic scientist. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for forensic scientist
- Install, qualify and maintain instruments in DPS Forensic Chemistry in close alignment with current best practices and regulations
- Develop and establish analytical methods and technologies for DP Forensic Chemistry analytical services (specifically including FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, Micro CT, SEM/ EDX and others as required)
- Ensure effective use of resources (time, equipment, materials, rooms), maintenance of equipment, safety and health protection
- Contribute to innovation and technical projects, evaluate and implement new technologies, as required
- Performing as a competent and qualified DNA Analyst
- Performing investigative studies on biological materials and/or tissue identification by DNA typing technologies
- Carrying out DNA typing casework in support of routine casework and special projects
- Qualifying and testifying as an expert witness in court, as required
- Providing technical assistance in the areas of bioinformatics, information technology and laboratory automation
- Supporting the logistical or resource management activities of the DNA Registry
Qualifications for forensic scientist
- Knowledgeable in the operation of laboratory equipment (GCMS, LCMS, LCMSMS, pH meters, analytical balances, pipettes)
- A minimum of six months experience in forensic DNA PCR-based analysis
- Advanced degree in molecular biology or related discipline
- Ability to manage one’s time efficiently and perform routine duties independently
- Must have valid driver’s license and/or other means of reliable transportation
- Associates or BS in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry or Forensic Science (must show official degree on first day of work for compliance reasons)
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Forensic Scientist Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is looking for a forensic scientist. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for forensic scientist
- Assisting in the expansion of the technical programs to accelerate service work capabilities by setting up and making operationally ready a wide variety of laboratory instruments and equipment
- Writing, reviewing, and editing experimental protocols, SOP’s and operating instructions for projects of experimental programs, service casework procedures and general laboratory management operations
- Assisting in quality assurance activities
- Performing general laboratory housekeeping activities by maintaining
- Maintaining documentation of methods development and research activities in accordance with standard practice
- Managing investigative studies on novel markers/assays to improve DNA recovery and/or typing from mixed and/or low template specimens, including design of experiments, performance of laboratory work and analysis of data
- Participating in the establishment of extensive mtDNA, Y-STR and Autosomal STR databases for both general, and specifically-targeted, populations
- Identifying, investigating and pursuing projects to advance DNA-based biometric capabilities
- Presenting scientific findings at domestic and/or international conferences
- Assisting program maintenance and development at the direction of their designated supervisor
Qualifications for forensic scientist
- Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ related experience as described in the responsibilities
- Biology degree only accepted if candidate can show official transcripts with 2 plus semesters of chemistry coursework/lab work
- Some exposure to LC/MS, HPLC, GC/MS and other forensic toxicology equipment preferred
- Bachelor’s degree and 16 years of directly related work experience
- Baccalaureate degree or higher in computer science, forensic science, natural science, information technology, or closely related field
- Digital forensic certification
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Forensic Scientist Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of forensic scientist. Thank you in advance for taking a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We look forward to reviewing your resume.
Responsibilities for forensic scientist
- Assisting in program maintenance and development at the direction of their designated supervisor
- Supporting investigative studies on biological materials using DNA typing technologies
- Accessioning forensic evidence in the Laboratory Information Management System (LISA)
- Maintaining accurate and complete chain of custody for evidence
- Entering data into LISA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiners Tracking System (AFMETS)
- Preparing correspondence/documents ensuring proper format, mathematical correctness, grammar, punctuation, and spelling, in preparation for or editing of recurring reports regarding case status and case tracking
- Preparing reagents and maintain documentation of reagent prep and Quality Control testing in accordance with SOPs
- Performing laboratory housekeeping activities such as preparing common laboratory reagents
- Maintaining appropriate stock levels of expendable supplies and maintaining a clean environment within laboratory work areas
- Assisting in casework involving nucDNA and mtDNA typing and profiling procedures
Qualifications for forensic scientist
- Bachelor’s level degree in a related discipline in the natural sciences
- Bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical and/or forensic science
- Master’s degree in forensic science, natural science and/or physical science
- Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Chemistry, Natural Science, or in a field related to the job including twenty-eight (28) semester hours of Physical Chemistry
- A minimum of six months forensic human DNA laboratory experience
- Selected candidate must be eligible to possess a valid driver’s license or have other means of reliable transportation
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Forensic Scientist Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is looking for a forensic scientist. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for forensic scientist
- Supporting validation projects focusing on systems with increased sensitivity and discrimination power and advanced development of automated systems
- Supporting research projects focusing on various research projects to include population data basing and working to increase sensitivity, discrimination power, and automated systems for casework applications
- You will be responsible for working with our IT and business intelligence teams to pull data from different key applications across the company, validate completeness and accuracy of the data, and then use the data to inform our internal audits, investigations, and management insight
- Essential to this role is the ability to translate the data into easy to understand views for communication and reporting
- This is a new role on our team, so you will be paving the way in terms of setting and driving the approach for collecting the right data based on risk, building a data analytics roadmap, and then creating the reports and dashboards with the appropriate views
- You will be responsible for continuously monitoring the data to regularly inform our audit team or management of high-risk areas or anomalies requiring follow-up
- This role will also be looked to as a potential resource for management/leaders outside of audit, so you may also be asked to help with ad-hoc management requests related to data, analytics, or investigations (as they come up)
- Employ established theories, concepts, and techniques on projects that improve the scientific understanding or practice of forensic science and perform forensic science research tasks, applying standard and established theories, concepts, and techniques, while occasionally employing innovative approaches
- Collaborate within a dynamic team of experts crossing all forensic disciplines and related technical work and contribute to laboratory work, publications, presentations, and professional meetings
- Exhibit personal leadership by communicating effectively inside and outside your team, developing yourself and those around you, thinking and acting strategically, innovating on projects and daily work, and collaborating effectively with internal and external colleagues
Qualifications for forensic scientist
- Advanced degree in a related scientific field
- Experience with CODIS software related to entry of DNA casework profiles and searching/ evaluating casework candidate matches
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited four-year college or university in forensic science, natural science and/or physical science
- Baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited four-year college/university
- Baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited four-year college/university in computer science, forensic science, natural science, information technology, or closely related field
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science or related scientific field