Forensic Drug Chemist

snainternational; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Drug Chemist to join our team in pursuit of a safe and just world by empowering organizations to use forensics, biometrics, and identity intelligence.

Responsibilities include providing expert technical assistance to law enforcement in analyzing controlled substances, coordinating sample handling, and performing tests such as Color Tests, GC, GC/MS, and FTIR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science with required coursework.
• Formal casework training in forensic drug analysis or documented competency.
• 3–5 years of bench work in an ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory.
• Experience with TLC and UV-Vis spectroscopy and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of color tests, GC, GC/MS, FTIR and related analyses.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical assistance to law enforcement for drug analysis.
• Receive, track, and securely store drug case samples per chain of custody.
• Coordinate and perform drug identification tests (Color Tests, GC, GC/MS, FTIR).
• Document findings and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and lab safety procedures.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Documentation

Report writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science

Tools

Gas Chromatography (GC)

GC/MS

FTIR

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)

UV-Vis spectrometry

Job description

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Drug Chemist with a strong work ethic to joinour 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

• 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.