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
1. Reporting and peer reviewing a wide range of case types including unexplained/suspicious death, assault/murder, sexual assault and DFSA cases.
2. Attend court to give expert witness testimony.
3. Devise case strategies incorporating quality considerations & a cost-effective approach.
4. Adhere to all aspects of the customer Operational Protocol and Quality Manual.
5. Ensure all work is authorised and completed to contracted / agreed timescales.
6. Ensure all critical findings are checked in line with standard operating procedures.
7. Manage personal caseload in an independent and timely manner.
8. Seek continual improvement of methodology and processes that will have a positive impact on the quality and effectiveness of the team.
9. Communicate with the customer as appropriate.
Qualifications
10. A relevant science based degree.
11. 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.
12. Experience in the peer reviewing of casework toxicology case types (as listed above) and associated court going experience.
13. Good understanding of the principles behind the analytical techniques used.
14. 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.
15. Good business awareness and solid understanding of the various requirements of customers.
Preferred Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills
16. Previous experience in mentoring, training, and supervising junior reporting scientists.
17. Previous experience of working to ISO17025 and FSR Codes in a Forensic Toxicology setting.
18. Fully trained and competent in analysis/interpretation of results containing common and less common drugs, whether practical or theoretical.
19. Previous experience of working in a busy laboratory environment.
Behaviours
20. Must display patience, determination, attention to detail and integrity at all times.
21. 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.
22. Maintain clear communications with customers, clarifying expectations and monitoring satisfaction levels.
23. 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.
24. Demonstrate initiative, adopting a pro-active attitude to continuous improvement within the areas of forensic toxicology, science, quality and efficiency.
25. Willing to take on extra duties or responsibilities for the team/department.
Additional Information
Due to the highly sensitive nature of the work, applicants should note that security clearance is required for this role. To gain security clearance you must have five years continuous residency in the UK. Security clearance is undertaken by a third party to police personnel vetting standards (NPPV3 and SC). As such, any criminal convictions (including criminal convictions held by: you, your partner, parents, siblings, children over the age of 10, and anyone living with you who doesn’t fit these relationships) may prevent you from gaining security clearance. Further information on the security clearance process and requirement can be found at. In addition, all successful applicants will be required to undertake drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment and provide a DNA sample.
In return for your hard work and loyal service, we will offer you a competitive salary, and a selection of employee benefits via our flexible benefits menu which includes cycle to work, give as you earn, volunteering days, buy and sell holiday. In addition, we also offer the following:
26. Life Assurance (3 times annual salary)
27. Scottish Widows Company Pension Plan
28. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to a maximum of 30 days)
29. Employee length of service awards and yearly recognition schemes, celebrating work anniversaries here at EFS.
30. Employee tech scheme
31. Discount vouchers and flexi reward points on our employee wellness hub
32. Everyone who joins EFS will have access to Perkbox allowing you to save money all year round on a wide range of perks such as supermarket savings, days out or your daily coffee
33. Learning and study support
34. Employee Assistance Programme
35. Health Cash Plan membership
36. Enhanced company sick, maternity and paternity pay scheme
37. Refer a friend scheme
38. Subscription to mental health support and wellbeing
39. Free on-site car parking