Key Forensic Services
Location
Warrington, Cheshire | United Kingdom
Job description
KFS are one of the leading forensic providers in the UK. We pride ourselves on delivering a quality service and building strong working relationships with our customer base. Our team of forensic scientists are experienced in the interpretation and reporting of a wide range of evidence types in support of criminal investigations.
We are passionate about supporting the Criminal Justice system and want to hear from potential employees who share that same passion.
Please read the requirements of the job carefully as your application will be measured against them. Please ensure you have the experience we are looking for. This is a specialist role and as such we will only shortlist those with the relevant experience and attributes.
Responsible for the case assessment, management and interpretation of forensic toxicology casework and the provision of expert witness testimony.
· Effective management of resources, including a personal case load and case exhibits.
· Sets an appropriate, cost-effective forensic strategy which addresses the case requirements and translates this strategy into clear, appropriate instructions for the analytical toxicology section to follow.
· Reviews, collates and interprets toxicological findings in the context of the case and considers alternative explanations.
· Formulates meaningful, succinct conclusions to analytical findings.
· Prepares clear, well-structured and unbiased reports.
· Attends Court and provides oral expert witness testimony in a clear, intelligible and even-handed way.
· Liaises with other departments where appropriate to advise on appropriate forensic strategies.
· Proactive in maintaining one’s own continued professional development.
· Supports the analytical toxicology section where appropriate.
· Assists with mentoring and development of junior staff.
· A thorough knowledge of the application of toxicology to a wide range of forensic investigations (e.g. homicide, sexual assaults, non-suspicious deaths, Coronial etc.).
· A good understanding of the principles of drug extraction techniques (e.g. LLE, SPE and PP) and the principles of analytical techniques utilised in toxicology (e.g. LC-MS/MS, HRMS, HS-GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC-DAD and immunoassay).
· Knowledge and experience of the use of alcohol technical calculations and the application to different toxicology case types is desirable.
· Adept problem-solving skills and the ability to deal with complexity coupled with managing a varying workload.
· Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
· Previous experience of method development and validation desirable.
· Understands the importance of the customer and contractual tender requirements).
· Proactively demonstrates positive and open communication with both customers and other members within Key Forensic Services Ltd.
· High level of honesty and integrity and always takes responsibility for own actions.
· Strong work ethic and able to deal with confidential and sensitive information.
· Team player with well developed interpersonal skills, a positive attitude and a proactive willingness to support and share information with others.
· Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to focus and prioritise varying tasks.
· Demonstrates a flexible approach and able to work methodically and reliably under pressure and uses own initiative to achieve timely completion of work within contractual deadlines.
· Acts as an exemplar to more junior members of the department to uphold best scientific practice based on toxicological principles and international quality standards.
· Professional business disposition and of smart appearance.
· A minimum of a scientific degree level qualification (or equivalent) is essential. Preferably chemistry/biochemistry/pharmacy/pharmacology related.
· A minimum of 5 years’ experience in forensic toxicology interpretation and provision of expert witness testimony in a wide range of complex toxicology evidence types (e.g. homicide, sexual assaults, suspicious/non-suspicious deaths etc.) is essential.
· Experience of peer reviewing forensic toxicology reports.
· Experience in analytical forensic toxicology is desirable.
Competitive salary dependent upon experience
Terms & Conditions
IN ORDER TO PASS OUR STRINGENT SECURITY VETTING YOU MUST HAVE RESIDED IN THE UK FOR THE PREVIOUS 5 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF YOUR APPLICATION. WE CANNOT CONSIDER APPLICANTS THAT HAVE NOT LIVED IN THE UK FOR THE PREVIOUS 5 YEARS AND YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY REJECTED.
KFS is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give of their best. One of our goals is to work within an environment free from discrimination, harassment and prejudice. We aim to embed this in all of our recruitment and selection policies, procedures and practices.
The closing date for this position is 29 MARCH 2024 but we reserve the right to end the vacancy earlier if we find enough suitable applicants to progress to the next stage.
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