Job Description

Company Description

Eurofins Forensic Services (EFS) is the largest forensic service provider in the UK and Europe and employs nearly circa 700 staff across 7 sites in the UK. All of our forensic analytical services are accredited to the international quality standard and are subject to regular review by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). We are part of Eurofins Scientific, which is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on and forensics. Eurofins laboratories work with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic, and labelling is accurate. Eurofins is dedicated to delivering testing services that contribute to the health and safety of society and the planet, and to its corporate responsibility to protect the environment and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion across the entire network of Eurofins companies.

In over 35 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to 61,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of ca. 900 laboratories in 61 countries. Eurofins companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products. In 2022, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR 6.7 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.



Please note this is a full time Permanent role, working 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday and Competitive Salary offered for this post. Location is Feltham site, UK near Heathrow airport.

The Toxicology team within Eurofins Forensic Services is responsible for the analysis of body fluids and other biological material for alcohol, drugs and poisons in a wide range of criminal cases. We are looking for an experienced forensic chemist to join our laboratory team. The role will involve to be responsible for the development and validation of chromatography/mass spectrometry methods utilised for the analysis of drugs and poisons in a wide range of biological materials including blood, urine and oral fluid in the toxicology laboratory. There will also be a small element of checking and peer reviewing of the analytical data of accredited methods for casework reporting.

Main responsibilities to include:

• Develop and validate chromatography/mass spectrometry based methods in a timely manner as required for business need within the Toxicology and Workplace Drug Testing (WDT) laboratories.
• Provide training and support the learning and scientific development of junior members of the laboratory team particularly to those that have been seconded to the R&D section.
• Undertake the checking and peer review of analytical data generated by the laboratory for subsequent casework reporting.
• Continually review processes and procedures with a view to improvement of quality and cost effectiveness.
• Provide support to the toxicology and WDT laboratories as appropriate.
• Adhere to all aspects of our Customer Operational Protocols, Health and Safety requirements and the Eurofins Quality Management System.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills:

• At least 5 years experience of analytical method development in a regulated environment.
• A track record of delivering validated analytical methods to meet customer requirements on time and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast paced, dynamic and challenging environment.
• Good general business awareness and a solid understanding of the various requirements of gaining accreditation for an analytical method for use in the forensic marketplace.
• A chemistry based degree at postgraduate level.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills:

• Previous experience of undertaking R&D work in a laboratory accredited to the ISO17025 standard.
• A demonstrable understanding of forensic chemistry techniques used for the extraction and analysis of drugs and poisons from human biological samples.
• A proven ability to mentor, teach and supervise early career analytical/forensic chemists effectively.

Core Behaviours:

• Must display patience, determination, attention to detail and integrity at all times.
• Able to manage a flexible workload; show good organisational skills and high levels of personal resilience with the ability to work to deadlines under pressure.
• Communicate and work co-operatively with others (within the team, with other departments / sites or external associates) focussing on a collective rather than individual goal.
• Demonstrate initiative; adopting a pro-active attitude to continuous improvement within the areas of science, quality and efficiency.
• Willing to take on extra duties or responsibilities for the team/department when required.

Additional Information

Benefits:

In return for your hard work and loyal service, we will offer you a genuine career and salary progression through our Career Pathways Programme, a competitive salary, a selection of employee benefits via our flexible benefits menu which includes cycle to work, give as you earn, holiday purchase & sell scheme. In addition, we also offer the following:

As a Eurofins Forensic Services employee you will benefit from:

• Life Assurance (3 times annual salary)
• Free car parking
• Company Pension Plan
• 25 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Everyone who joins our team also gets access to Perk box, allowing you to save money all year round. Whether its supermarket savings or days out, the daily coffee or a summer holiday - there\'s something to suit everyone\'s lifestyle
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential
• HealthCare Cash Plan membership
• Enhanced company sick pay scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Refer a friend scheme
• Subscription to wellbeing support

Applicants should note that security clearance will be required for this role. To gain security clearance you must have five years continuous residency in the UK. Criminal convictions may prevent you from gaining security clearance. This role will in addition require alcohol/drug screening. The organisation treats personal data collected during the recruitment process in accordance with its data protection policy. Information about how your data is used and the basis for processing your data is provided in the organisations applicant privacy notice.

Find out more in our Eurofins career page:

Eurofins