Forensic Drug Chemist: GC/GC-MS & FTIR Expert

Soft Tox; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Drug Chemist to join our team. This role involves analyzing controlled substances, performing bench analyses, and producing comprehensive reports in line with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Key duties include validating tests such as TLC, UV-VIS, GC, GC/MS, and FTIR, maintaining chain-of-custody, and adhering to safety and QA/QC protocols. A minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in forensic drug analysis is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry with required chemistry courses (general, organic, analytical).
• 3–5 years of bench analyst experience in an ISO/IEC 17025 forensic lab.
• Formal casework training in forensic drug analysis or demonstrated competency.
• At least 3 years of TLC and UV–VIS spectroscopy experience.
• Knowledge of instrumentation and methodologies for analyzing controlled substances (Color tests, GC, GC/MS, FTIR) and basic lab safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical assistance to law enforcement in analyzing controlled substances following SOPs and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
• Facilitate receipt, tracking, and secure storage of samples with proper chain-of-custody.
• Coordinate and perform drug identification tests (Color Tests, GC, GC/MS, FTIR).
• Document findings thoroughly and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Ensure activities comply with accreditation standards and lab safety procedures.

Skills

Forensic drug analysis

Critical thinking

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

GC

GC/MS

FTIR

TLC

UV-VIS

Job description

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Drug Chemist to join our team. This role involves analyzing controlled substances, performing bench analyses, and producing comprehensive reports in line with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Key duties include validating tests such as TLC, UV-VIS, GC, GC/MS, and FTIR, maintaining chain-of-custody, and adhering to safety and QA/QC protocols. A minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in forensic drug analysis is required.