Forensic Scientist 2 - DNA Analyst (PAS)

SNA International; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic DNA Analyst (FS2) in Past Accounting to join our team in Dover, Delaware. The analyst will perform DNA typing, support casework, and work within accreditation and SOPs to ensure accurate results.

Ideal candidates hold a biology/chemistry/forensic science degree with relevant lab experience, plus coursework in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with two years of relevant biology/chemistry/forensic science experience.
• At least 9 semester hours in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
• Six months of forensic human DNA laboratory experience.
• FBI QA Standards coursework in biochemistry/genetics/molecular biology and statistics.

Responsibilities

• Performing as a competent and qualified DNA Analyst.
• Set up and make operationally ready laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Write, review, and edit protocols, SOPs, and operating instructions for projects.
• Assist in quality assurance activities including standards maintenance and proficiency testing.
• Perform investigative studies on DNA typing technologies and casework.
• Carry out service casework involving routine nuclear and mitochondrial DNA typing.
• Prepare and present expert testimony in court when required.
• Support validation projects and population databasing efforts.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

MS Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Education

Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in biology/chemistry/forensic science

Statistics course for population statistics in forensic DNA

Six months of forensic human DNA laboratory experience

FBI Quality Assurance Standards coursework (bio/chem/genetics)

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic DNA Analyst (FS2) in Past Accounting with a strong work ethic to join our team. SNA International’s team works together in pursuit of the same cause: build a safe and just world by empowering organizations in the use of forensics, biometrics and identity intelligence. The Forensic Scientist 2 - DNA Analyst will be responsible for performing analysis of forensic evidence in accordance with laboratory accreditation and standard operating procedures. The FS2 is critical to successful laboratory operation and will be required to work collaboratively and productively with laboratory staff and management. The ability to prioritize job responsibilities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a focus on excellent customer service is a must.

Critical Work Responsibilities

• Performing as a competent and qualified DNA Analyst.
• Set up and make operationally ready a wide variety of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Write, review, and edit experimental protocols, standard operating procedures and operating instructions for projects of experimental programs, service casework procedures and general laboratory management operations.
• Assist in quality assurance activities such as standards maintenance, equipment preventive maintenance, reagent testing and validation, proficiency testing, and accreditation and certification.
• Perform investigative studies on biological materials and/or tissue identification by DNA typing technologies.
• Carry out service casework involving routine nuclear and mtDNA typing and profiling procedures.
• Prepare and present legal testimony as an expert witness in court, as required, pertaining to any technical, theoretical or administrative aspect of any assigned DNA case that is completed and reported on.
• Participate in the establishment of extensive mtDNA, Y-STR and Autosomal STR databases for both general, and specifically targeted populations.
• Present scientific findings at domestic and/or international conferences.
• Support validation projects focusing on systems with increased sensitivity and discrimination power and advanced development of automated systems.
• Support research projects focusing on various projects to include population databasing, and work to increase sensitivity, discrimination power, and automated systems for casework applications.
• Assist program maintenance and development at the direction of their designated supervisor.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain data included on Mass Comparison Charts for casework samples and references pertaining to specific incidents from past military conflicts.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with two years’ work experience or an advanced degree in biology, chemistry, or forensic science related area.
• Must have successfully completed a minimum of 9 cumulative semester hours or equivalent (graduate or undergraduate level) covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology.
• Must successfully complete a Statistics Course for computation of population frequency statistics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis.
• Must have six (6) months of forensic human DNA laboratory experience. If prior forensic human DNA laboratory experience is accepted by the laboratory (AFDIL), the prior experience shall be documented and augmented by additional training, as needed in the analytical methodologies, platforms and interpretations of human DNA results used by the laboratory.
• Must meet the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for a DNA Analyst regarding successful completion of college level courses (undergraduate and graduate level) in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and population genetics and/or statistics.
• Must have the ability to apply practical and theoretical knowledge to independently alter or modify established analytical procedures using scientifically acceptable approaches to resolve unforeseen difficulties arising from analyses of DNA derived from tissues retrieved from unusual or unexpected environmental conditions.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat
• Due to government contract requirements, this position requires U.S. Citizenship. Candidates must also be able to successfully pass a NAC-I Security Background Investigation.

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.