DNA Analyst I

Marshall University School of Pharmacy; Huntington (VA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Marshall University is seeking a Forensic DNA Analyst to conduct DNA analysis for criminal investigations and HID casework, from examination through reporting, following FBI QAS, ISO/IEC 17025, and applicable legal requirements.

The analyst operates STR and Y-STR by capillary electrophoresis and MPS by sequencing, with authorization by technical leaders. Level I-III responsibilities include routine casework, data interpretation, and potential court testimony.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, chemistry, or forensic science related field.
• Completion of at least nine credit hours in biology or chemistry related areas.
• Courses covering statistics or population genetics.

Responsibilities

• Examine, screen, and process evidentiary items including presumptive and confirmatory screening.
• Perform DNA extraction, purification, dilution, concentration, quantification, and amplification.
• Operate capillary electrophoresis and MPS sequencing workflows.
• Analyze electropherograms and sequencing data across reference and mixture samples.
• Prepare forensic reports and, if authorized, provide court testimony.

Skills

DNA analysis

Quality procedures

Court testimony readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry/forensic science

Statistics or population genetics coursework

Tools

Capillary electrophoresis

MPS sequencing

Job description

The Forensic DNA Analyst conducts forensic DNA analysis for criminal investigations and human identification ( HID ) casework, from evidence examination through interpretation, statistical evaluation, and reporting, following validated methods, FBI Quality Assurance Standards ( QAS ), ISO / IEC 17025, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

The laboratory operates two validated technology groups, STR and Y- STR by capillary electrophoresis and MPS by sequencing. Authorization to perform casework is technology-specific and is granted by the responsible technical authority, the Primary Technical Leader for STR and Y- STR and the MPS Technical Authority for MPS , following completion of the laboratory training program and demonstration of competency. An analyst may hold authorization in one or both. Authorization is not a level, and holding authorization in one or both technologies does not change the level of the analyst.

Assigned level (I, II, or III ) reflects the complexity of casework the analyst resolves independently and the review authority held. Every analyst, at every level, is responsible for scientific integrity, accuracy, documentation, chain of custody, and compliance with quality and safety requirements.

Reporting and Executive Participation

All analysts report administratively to the Laboratory Director of Operations and technically to the Technical Leader for their authorized technology. All casework, at every level, undergoes technical review before report issuance. Levels differ in the complexity of the casework the analyst resolves independently and in the review authority held.

Casework is considered routine when two conditions are met: the controls meet all established acceptance criteria, and the interpretation is fully addressed by the approved interpretation guidelines. Routine casework includes mixtures where the interpretation is addressed by the guidelines. Casework that does not meet both conditions is non-routine and is resolved at Level II or above, including complex mixtures, low-template and degraded samples, and unexpected or discordant results.

Level I

Independently performs, interprets, and reports routine casework. Refers non-routine casework to a Level II or higher analyst or to the responsible technical authority. Performs administrative review, technical review of worksheets and work forms, and technical review of case files and reports for single-source results, negative results, and direct comparisons including paternity trios. Affects the analytical accuracy and interpretive soundness of routine casework.

Core Responsibilities (Applicable to Levels I- III )

All work is performed within the technology authorization and level assigned to the analyst.

Evidence and Laboratory Processing

• Examine, screen, and process evidentiary items, including presumptive and confirmatory screening, sample selection, cutting, and specialty processing (bone, petrous, teeth).
• Perform DNA extraction, purification, dilution, concentration, quantification, and amplification.
• Perform capillary electrophoresis setup and instrument operation.
• MPS -authorized analysts perform library preparation, target enrichment, sequencing runs, and bioinformatic processing.
• Run controls, evaluate quality control results against acceptance criteria, and determine acceptance of the data, including data generated by an authorized DNA Technician.

Interpretation and Statistics

• Analyze electropherograms and sequencing data across reference, single-source, and questioned samples, partial and mixture.
• Interpret single-source profiles and mixtures.
• Perform forensic statistical calculations, including random match probability and CPI / CPE .
• Perform relationship and kinship calculations, including trio, single-parent, full sibling, and half sibling, by software and by hand.

Reporting, Review, and Testimony

• Prepare forensic, relationship, and database reports, subject to technical review.
• Perform administrative review and technical review within the authorized scope and level.
• Prepare for and provide court testimony when authorized.

General

• Maintain chain of custody, sample integrity, and accurate, complete, and defensible case documentation.
• Communicate results and case status to authorized stakeholders, and elevate technical questions to the Technical Leader.
• Prepare reagents and solutions, and perform routine maintenance, equipment checks, and calibration as assigned.
• In the absence of an assigned DNA Technician, perform evidence reception, handling, recordkeeping, and facility cleaning and monitoring tasks.
• Follow safety, security, and contamination prevention requirements.
• Participate in continuing education, proficiency testing, competency assessments, and required meetings.
• Comply with all laboratory policies, quality requirements, and ethical standards.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Technical Leader or the Laboratory Director of Operations within the scope, training, and authorization of the analyst, preserving the functional independence set in the MUFSC Governance and Authority Framework.

Additional Responsibilities by Level

Level I

• Independently perform, interpret, and report routine casework.
• Document and refer non-routine casework to a Level II or higher analyst or to the responsible technical authority.
• Perform administrative review, technical review of worksheets and work forms, and technical review of case files and reports for single-source results, negative results, and direct comparisons including paternity trios.
• Participate in training, validations, and method implementation.

Skills and Abilities

• Forensic human DNA laboratory experience commensurate with authorized responsibilities.
• Foundational knowledge of laboratory policy, operational procedures, and quality procedures.
• Working knowledge of approved interpretation guidelines and quality control acceptance criteria.

Location

Location OTHR - Other Off-Campus Location

Salary Range

Salary Range $62,000 - Salary is commensurate with education and experience

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree, or an advanced degree in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science related area.
• Successful completion of at least nine (9) credit hours of coursework in biology or chemistry related areas that provide an understanding of the foundation of DNA analysis.
• Successful completion of coursework covering statistics or population genetics.

Experience

• Forensic human DNA laboratory experience commensurate with authorized responsibilities.
• Foundational knowledge of laboratory policy, operational procedures, and quality procedures.
• Working knowledge of approved interpretation guidelines and quality control acceptance criteria.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

Experience

Marshall University

One John Marshall Drive

Huntington, WV 25755