Forensic Drug Chemist

SNA International; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SNA International in Decatur, GA seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Drug Chemist to join our team. You will apply advanced analytical techniques to identify controlled substances and support law enforcement investigations, upholding ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and strict safety standards.

The role emphasizes bench testing (TLC, UV-Vis, GC, GC/MS, FTIR), meticulous documentation, and clear, reportable findings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science with sufficient chemistry courses.
• 3–5 years of bench experience as a forensic drug chemist in an ISO/IEC 17025 lab.
• Formal casework training or demonstrated competency.
• Minimum 3 years of TLC and UV-Vis spectrometry experience.
• Knowledge of instrumentation for analyzing controlled substances and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical assistance to law enforcement for analyzing controlled substances.
• Facilitate receipt, tracking, and secure storage of drug case samples with chain-of-custody.
• Coordinate and perform tests including Color Tests, GC, GC/MS, and FTIR.
• Document findings thoroughly and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and lab safety procedures.

Skills

Lab analysis

Report writing

Quality assurance

Forensic science

Chain of custody

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry

Tools

Gas Chromatography

GC/MS

FTIR

UV-Vis spectrometry

Thin-Layer Chromatography

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 drug identification tests, including Color Tests, Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
• 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) to five(5) years of recent work experience as a Forensic Drug Chemist working as a bench analyst within an ISO/IEC 17025 forensic laboratory is required.
• 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) and UV-VIS spectrometry plates.
• Knowledge of basic theoretical principles and applications of the instrumentation and methodologies used to analyze controlled substances (e.g., Color Tests, GC, GC/MS, FTIR) 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.