Forensic Toxicologist

Oakland County•Pontiac, MI

7h•$85,818 - $114,981•Onsite

About The Position

This position is on-site. Join our team in a highly specialized scientific role where your expertise directly supports death investigations and the pursuit of accurate, evidence-based answers. In this position, you’ll perform complex toxicological testing on biological specimens to identify and interpret the presence of drugs, poisons, and alcohol. Your work will provide critical scientific information to pathologists, death investigators, and law enforcement agencies and may play an important role in legal proceedings.

Requirements

Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biology, forensic science or closely related field of study.
Have had two (2) years of full-time analytical experience in forensic toxicology
Possess a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biology, forensic science or a closely related field of study.
Have had at least one (1) year of full-time analytical experience in forensic toxicology, testing toxic agents
Possess a Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biology, forensic science or a closely related field of study.
Submit to annual tuberculin skin test or chest X-ray, at County expense.
Ability to communicate work-related information clearly and professionally.

Nice To Haves

Thorough knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analysis of blood, other body fluids, and body organs.
Thorough skill in use of laboratory apparatus such as a chromatographic, spectrophotometric, and immunoassay techniques used to identify and quantitative drugs, metabolites and toxic agents in human postmortem body fluid and tissue specimens.
Thorough ability to analyze and recognize a wide scope of drugs, toxins, or poisons.
Thorough knowledge and ability in applying safety procedures when handling chemicals and other laboratory equipment.
Considerable skill in the application of methods, practices, and principles of physics, chemistry, pharmacology, and biology to practical laboratory and testing problems.
Considerable initiative and judgement in conducting unusual tests and in devising methods and procedures for detecting chemical compounds in body fluids and sample sources.
Considerable ability to organize and thoroughly document all examinations performed.
Reasonable ability to present evidence and findings in a clear, concise manner both verbally and in writing.
Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail and Internet software.
Membership in a related scientific organization such as Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) or American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).
Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or eligible to apply for certification examination.

Responsibilities

Perform high-complexity analytical testing on biological specimens to identify, quantify, and interpret drugs, poisons, alcohol, and other substances.
Analyze and interpret laboratory findings to provide accurate, scientifically supported results.
Provide critical toxicology data used in determining the cause and manner of death.
Collaborate with pathologists, death investigators, law enforcement, and other professionals throughout the investigative process.
Prepare and communicate scientific findings clearly and accurately.
Provide expert testimony regarding laboratory procedures, testing, and findings in legal proceedings.
Utilize current County and department-specific software to document results and complete assignments.
Conducts qualitative and quantitative toxicological screening and confirmation testing to determine the presence or absence of drugs and poisons in biological specimens such as blood, vitreous humor, tissues, and gastric contents or other matrices as needed.
Operates, calibrates, and maintains sophisticated analytical instrumentation (e.g., Gas Chromatography, immunoassay systems).
Enforces strict quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), and safety protocols to ensure compliance with forensic accrediting bodies (e.g. American Board of Forensic Toxicology, American National Standards Institute (ANSI/ANAB), National Association of Medical Examiners) and published standards.
Correlates laboratory findings with case histories, police reports, and autopsy observations to determine physiological relevance to guide toxicology testing.
Maintains appropriate confidentiality of all test results and case information.
Develops comprehensive, legally defensible technical reports detailing findings and toxicological conclusions for use by forensic pathologists, law enforcement, and legal counsel.
Testifies as an expert or fact witness in criminal, civil, and deposition proceedings regarding testing methodologies and results.
Maintains chain of custody for all evidence and specimens from receipt to final disposition.
Manages laboratory inventory, reagent preparation and logs, and equipment maintenance schedules.
Utilizes specialized case or laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and county-wide database software to track cases, log data, and generate reports.
Maintains awareness of the latest analytical laboratory techniques, equipment, and standards to ensure that examinations are performed effectively, efficiently, and accurately.
Works independently to provide accurate and reliable toxicological results.
Follows formalized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), organizational policies, and operational procedures to ensure all results meet regulatory and quality standards; periodically reviews these documents to provide input on updates and continuous improvements.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Complies with all policies and standards.
Utilizes current countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.