Casework Toxicology Reporting Scientist

Job Description

We are looking for an Experienced Casework Toxicology Reporting Scientist to join our outstanding Forensic Toxicology team. This position can be based at any of our locations listed above and will involve travel to our main Heathrow site for training, when required. If you are passionate about a rewarding career in Forensic Toxicology and want to use your expertise to its full potential, then this is a great opportunity to join a well-established and successful market leading company with over 30 years’ experience in providing Forensic Services to the Police forces of England and Wales, as well as other commercial organisations and public sector bodies.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Reporting and peer reviewing a wide range of case types including unexplained/suspicious death, assault/murder, sexual assault and DFSA cases.
• Attend court to give expert witness testimony.
• Devise case strategies incorporating quality considerations & a cost-effective approach.
• Adhere to all aspects of the customer Operational Protocol and Quality Manual.
• Ensure all work is authorised and completed to contracted / agreed timescales.
• Ensure all critical findings are checked in line with standard operating procedures.
• Manage personal caseload in an independent and timely manner.
• Seek continual improvement of methodology and processes that will have a positive impact on the quality and effectiveness of the team.
• Communicate with the customer as appropriate.

Qualifications

• A relevant science based degree.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the reporting and interpretation of results from a wide range of casework toxicology case types (as listed above) in different biological and non-biological matrices.
• Experience in the peer reviewing of casework toxicology case types (as listed above) and associated court going experience.
• Good understanding of the principles behind the analytical techniques used.
• Sufficient laboratory experience to identify and understand the issues likely to arise in the types of cases processed, in both scientific and case management terms.
• Good business awareness and solid understanding of the various requirements of customers.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills

• Previous experience in mentoring, training, and supervising junior reporting scientists.
• Previous experience of working to ISO17025 and FSR Codes in a Forensic Toxicology setting.
• Fully trained and competent in analysis/interpretation of results containing common and less common drugs, whether practical or theoretical.
• Previous experience of working in a busy laboratory environment.

Behaviours

• Must display patience, determination, attention to detail and integrity at all times.
• Able to manage a flexible workload; show good organisational skills and high levels of personal resilience with the ability to work to deadlines under pressure.
• Maintain clear communications with customers, clarifying expectations and monitoring satisfaction levels.
• Communicate and work co-operatively with others (within the team, with other departments/ forensic disciplines or external associates) focussing on a collective rather than individual goal.
• Demonstrate initiative, adopting a pro-active attitude to continuous improvement within the areas of forensic toxicology, science, quality and efficiency.
• Willing to take on extra duties or responsibilities for the team/department.

Additional Information

Due to the sensitive nature of our work, this role will require the successful candidate to achieve NPPV3 + Security Clearance (SC). To be eligible, you must have 5 years’ continuous UK residency.

As part of the vetting process, you’ll be asked to provide information about your background, including your employment and address history, financial circumstances and details of close family or partners. These checks are carried out to ensure individuals accessing police data, systems and sites are trustworthy and suitable for the role.

Factors such as criminal convictions, financial difficulties or associations that may pose a risk could affect your ability to gain clearance. However, each application is assessed on an individual basis, and honesty throughout the process is essential.

Please note:

• Vetting is carried out by an external police vetting service
• Drug and alcohol testing may be required before you start and during your employment
• Ongoing employment is subject to maintaining the required level of clearance

Further information on the NPPV3 + SC vetting clearance process can be found here.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (rising to 30 days with length of service)
• Company pension scheme with up to 6% employer contribution
• Life assurance (3x salary)
• Health Cash Plan & Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced family leave and sick pay
• Perkbox benefits, discounts and wellbeing support
• Cycle to Work scheme, tech scheme & volunteering days
• Holiday trading (buy/sell) scheme
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Free on-site parking (site dependant)

Due to the nature of the work we undertake on our EFS Midlands site, for employees based at EFS Midlands or likely to attend EFS Midlands as part of their role you must inform us if you come into contact with any firearms or ammunition through work or any other reason as there will be precautions you will need to take in order to enter the premises.  This also applies to persons involved in clay pigeon shooting, and those who regularly use any cartridge-based tools such as nail/stud guns.  Please provide details on your application.