Forensic Drug Chemist

SNA International; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Drug Chemist to join our team, contributing to a safe and just world by enabling forensics, biometrics, and identity intelligence. You will support law enforcement with expert drug analysis, manage samples under chain-of-custody, and conduct multiple instrumental tests in a compliant ISO/IEC 17025 environment.

Minimum 3 years’ bench experience in forensic drug chemistry, a BSc in chemistry, and formal casework training or demonstrated

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science with sufficient chemistry courses (general, organic, analytical).
• 3+ years as a Forensic Drug Chemist in an ISO/IEC 17025 lab preferred; 2+ years with internships considered.
• Formal casework training in forensic drug analysis or demonstrated competency.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical assistance to law enforcement in analyzing controlled substances per SOPs and accreditation requirements.
• Manage receipt, tracking, and secure storage of samples per chain-of-custody rules.
• Perform TLC, GC, GC/MS, HPLC, FTIR, and UV-Vis tests for drug identification and analysis.
• Document findings and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and lab safety procedures.

Skills

Lab safety

Quality control

Report writing

Chain of custody

Education

BSc in Chemistry

Tools

TLC

GC

GC/MS

HPLC

FTIR

UV-Vis

Job description

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Drug Chemist with a strong work ethic to join our team. SNA International’s team works together in pursuit of the same cause: building a safe and just world by empowering organizations to use forensics, biometrics, and identity intelligence.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide expert technical assistance to law enforcement agencies in analyzing controlled substances, following laboratory policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation requirements.
• Facilitate the receipt, tracking, and secure storage of samples related to drug cases, in accordance with chain-of-custody requirements.
• Coordinate and perform a range of preliminary drug identification tests, including Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis Spectroscopy.
• Document findings thoroughly and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ensure that all activities comply with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards and that lab safety procedures are strictly followed.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college/university in chemistry or other related science with sufficient chemistry courses (minimally general, organic, and analytical) or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years of recent work experience as a Forensic Drug Chemist working as a bench analyst within an ISO/IEC 17025 forensic laboratory is required. Candidates with 2+ years of direct experience can be considered along with appropriate educational and internship experience.
• Successful completion of a formal, documented casework training program from an accredited forensic laboratory in forensic drug analysis and/or demonstration of competency.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience with Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) plates and UV-VIS spectrometry, as well as sound knowledge/proficiency with various extraction techniques (e.g. solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extractions)
• Knowledge of basic theoretical principles and applications of the instrumentation and methodologies used to analyze controlled substances (e.g. UV-Vis, GC, GC/MS, FTIR, GC/FTIR, and HPLC) and performing microscope and chemical tests.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures, quality assurance/quality control, and laboratory practices; instrumental analysis and experience in forensic drug analysis.

SNA International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.