Forensic Analyst

Scotland; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual increments

Full/part-time shifts

28 days leave

Public sector pension

Training & development

Career progression

Wellbeing support

Rewards discounts

Job summary

Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services in Edinburgh is seeking a lab-based scientist to perform instructed casework and report results to internal staff or external customers. The role includes technical troubleshooting of instrumentation and LCMS experience is preferred.

We offer full-time or part-time shifts, a competitive salary with annual increments, generous leave and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Qualifications

• Laboratory-based role within Forensic Services.
• Experience with LCMS instrumentation preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot scientific equipment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out instructed casework and provide results to Forensic Services staff or external customers.
• Provide technical expertise and troubleshooting of equipment and instrumentation.
• Ideally, applicants will have experience in the use of LCMS.

Tools

LCMS

Job description

Please note, if this is a paid role and the role is part time then the salary quoted will be pro rata based on the hours worked per annum.

Job advert

Please note, we foresee further vacancies arising in both of our toxicology teams - Criminal Toxicology (Edinburgh) and Postmortem Toxicology (Glasgow). However this particular vacancy is for Edinburgh, any reserve candidates will be considered for future vacancies in either Glasgow or Edinburgh, as they arise.

Please fill in a location preference form to be considered.

Key Responsibilities -

To carry out instructed casework and provide results/findings (generated by instrument or from a limited set of outcomes) internally to Forensic Services staff or externally to the police and other customers.

The role also requires technical expertise and troubleshooting of equipment and scientific instrumentation.

Ideally, applicants will have experience in the use of LCMS.

Due to the nature of this role, this position is fully lab-based, with no hybrid working.

Interviews for this role are likely to take place w/c 16th November 2026 (TBC).

Why join us?

• Competitive salary with annual increments
• Full-time or part-time shift patterns
• 28 days annual leave and 6 public holidays (increases with service)
• Local government pension scheme for long-term security
• Ongoing training to develop your skills
• Opportunities for career progression and professional growth
• Comprehensive wellbeing support and dynamic work environment
• Exclusive discounts and savings through our rewards and benefits network

This is an opportunity to join a national organisation serving communities across Scotland, where integrity, fairness and respect are at the heart of everything we do.

We are committed to equality, human rights and building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Forensic Services Strategy can be found here

The Forensic Services Performance Framework can be found here

Forensic Services are the largest public sector forensic organisation in Europe and among the largest forensic organisations in the UK.
Our 600 highly-trained and skilled scientists and staff are committed to Scientific Excellence and work with Integrity, Professionalism and Impartiality.

We are responsible for providing forensic services to the criminal justice sector in Scotland including: Police Scotland; the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscals Service (COPFS); and the Police Investigations and ReviewsCommissioner (PIRC).

Our forensic strategy provides excellent, innovative forensic services to support justice in Scotland and keep our communities safe and protected in line with the Scottish Government`s Justice Outcomes and the strategic aims of Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
If you are looking for a fresh challenge which offers a genuine opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, variety and the chance to broaden your experience, then Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services is for you.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion, where communities are under-represented, including those from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions and gender, LGBT communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve.
All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.

We are committed to promoting a diverse workforce and to achieving and promoting an organisational culture where staff and officers are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

As part of that commitment we are an advocate for gender equality having pledged support for HeForShe

HeForShe is a global solidarity movement for gender equality initiated by the United Nations with the aim of encouraging men and boys to speak out for gender equality recognising that gender equality is not just a women`s issue but a basic human right that benefits everyone.

Flexible working

Flexible working arrangements can be considered in line with current policy, as well as both personal and organisational needs.

You can expect a rewarding and varied career with the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services . We offer competitive salaries, annual salary increments and a wide range of employee benefits.

Recruitment and Selection Policy

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be given primacy over the remaining internal and external applicants.

Vetting

We are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.