Eurofins UK Forensic Services Hiring for Drugs Examiner at Tamworth Full Time

Eurofins Scientific 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, Eurofins works with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic and labelling is accurate. Eurofins believes it is a global leader in food, environmental, pharmaceutical and cosmetics products testing and in agroscience CRO services. It is also one of the global independent market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, discovery pharmacology, forensics, CDMO, advanced material sciences and in the support of clinical studies.

In over just 30 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to over 50,000 staff across a network of more than 900 independent companies in over 50 countries and operating more than 800 laboratories. Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products, as well as providing innovative clinical diagnostic testing services, as one of the leading global emerging players in specialised clinical diagnostics testing.

In 2020, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR € 5.4 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.

To be responsible for the completion of the examination work and/or analysis of samples, following strategies and instructions set by reporting scientists. Specific to the methods, technique and processes used in the analysis of substances believed to be controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Role includes some facilities support in-team, such as laboratory cleaning and reagent preparation. Although rarely requested, this role occasionally requires production of a suitable witness statement and attendance at Courts of Law.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Carry out necessary examinations / analysis as per standard operating procedures to required timescales, following suitable training and demonstrable competencies
• Adhere to all aspects of customer Operational Protocols and the Eurofins Quality Manual
• Ensure all notes are contemporaneous, signed and dated as per standard operating procedures
• Be responsible for the integrity and continuity of exhibits while under ownership as per examination instructions
• Communicate with other scientists as appropriate throughout the lifetime of a case
• Recognise other potential types of evidence while examining exhibits or when the examination may have to differ from the case instructions / strategy and communicate to the reporting scientist
• Assisting with laboratory housekeeping duties including preparation of reagents, maintenance of equipment and laboratory cleaning

Required Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills:

• A recognised qualification in a relevant scientific subject
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• Understanding and acceptance of the requirement for full adherence to the Forensic Regulators Code of Practice

Preferred Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills:

• Degree level qualification in a relevant scientific subject
• Previous experience, preferably laboratory-based, in a scientific capacity
• Demonstrative knowledge of health & safety
• Experience of working within an accredited quality management system
• A demonstrable understanding of forensic techniques and analysis utilised in the analysis of drugs, such as drugs legislation, FTIR, GCMS, TLC and chemical tests

Person Specification:

• Demonstrate ownership of issues that arise day to day, only escalating when necessary
• Display patience, determination, attention to detail and integrity at all times
• Exhibit high levels of concentration, accuracy and reliability
• Able to manage a demanding 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, focussing on a collective rather than individual goals
• Demonstrate initiative, adopting a pro-active attitude to continuous improvement
• Demonstrate effective lab space and equipment management to ensure the most effective use of resource.

Additional Information

Salary: Competitive

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 per week

Due to the highly sensitive nature of the work, applicants should note that security clearance is required for this role. To gain security clearance you must have five years continuous residency in the UK. Security clearance is undertaken by a third party to police personnel vetting standards (NPPV/3 and SC), as such any criminal convictions may prevent you from gaining security clearance. Further information on the security clearance process and requirement can be found at https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/police-forces/warwickshire-police/areas/warwickshire-police/about-us/about-us/police-national-vetting-service/. In addition, all successful applicants will be required to undertake drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment

Due to the nature of the work we undertake on-site, you must inform us if you come into contact with any firearms or ammunition through work or any other reason as there will be precautions you will need to take in order to enter the premises. This also applies to persons involved in clay pigeon shooting, and those who regularly use any cartridge based tools such as nail/stud guns. Please provide details on your application.