Forensic Drugs Reporter

Eurofins Forensic Services (EFS) is the largest forensic service provider in the UK and Europe. 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.

We are looking for a Forensic Drugs Reporter to analyse substances suspected of being or containing drugs controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and other associated legislation. Also, will have to produce Witness Statements and to attend Courts of Law, if required.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Conduct examination/analysis of exhibits following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) whilst working within own documented competencies and to required timescales.
• Always adhere to all customer Operational Protocols and the Eurofins Quality Manual.
• Reporters are expected to generate a minimum of £160K (£180K for senior reporters) of income per annum and to complete a minimum of 95% of casework to contractual turnaround times.
• Ensure all notes are accurate, contemporaneous and signed/dated as per SOP’s.
• Be responsible for the integrity and continuity of exhibits while under ownership.
• Communicate with other team members throughout the lifetime of the case.
• Design individual case examination/analysis strategies for more complex cases.
• Instruct others to do the same, if appropriate, and check results of their work.
• Discuss findings with investigators/CPS.
• Write statements or reports for court.
• Coach and mentor more junior reporters and other junior staff.
• Mentor and advise junior staff in best practice and highlight any quality deficiencies to appropriate team members.
• Offer sound advice to customers through training or direct contact.
• Seek continual improvement of methodology and processes and discuss with senior team members.
• Recognise potential quality and Health and Safety issues arising during examinations and raise at the earliest opportunity.
• Carry out laboratory cleaning where required.
• Fully adhere to the Forensic Regulators Codes of Practice.
• The senior reporter role allows authorisation for deviation from standard operating procedures where casework requirements fall outside normal practises.

• A recognised qualification in a relevant scientific subject.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Previous experience, preferably laboratory-based, in a scientific capacity.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
• Fully trained and competent in the examination of standard drug items.
• Familiarity with less common drugs.
• Ability to write own witness statements.
• Knowledge of relevant drugs legislation.
• Understanding and acceptance of the requirement for full adherence to the Forensic Regulators Code of Practice.

Skills & Experience

Developing Reporter

• Reporting of simple items to include powders, cannabis, and tablets/capsules.
• Further reporting sign-off to include non-cannabis herbal items, cannabis plants (ID only), traces, liquids and DNA preservation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and adherence to the required Customer Operational Protocols, Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Management System, Health & Safety documents and CPS requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge and adherence to the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice.
• Completion of a court awareness course.
• Awareness and understanding of other evidence types.

Established Reporter (all the above plus)

• Routinely achieving or exceeding their KPI’s as a Developing Reporter and demonstrating the behaviours required for the role.
• Successful completion of the Expert Witness Course allowing reporting of stage 2 SFR’s.
• Complex skills to include some or all of the below:
  • Edibles and complex cannabis preparation
  • Complex methods
  • Yield reporting
  • Peer-reviewing (developing reporter level)
  • EDIT training
  • Endorse profiling/ data
  • Technical trainer
  • CLIMS additions

• Sufficient experience to coach and mentor trainees.

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 (NPPV3 and SC), as such any criminal convictions (including criminal convictions held by: you, your partner, parents, siblings, children (over the age of 10) and anyone living with you (who doesn’t fit these relationships) 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.

In return for your hard work and loyal service, we will offer you a competitive salary, and a selection of employee benefits via our flexible benefits menu which includes cycle to work, give as you earn, volunteering days, buy and sell holiday. In addition, we also offer the following:

• Life Assurance (3 times annual salary)
• Scottish Widows Company Pension Plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to a maximum of 30 days)
• Employee length of service awards and yearly recognition schemes, celebrating work anniversaries here at EFS.
• Employee tech scheme
• Discount vouchers and flexi reward points on our employee wellness hub
• Everyone who joins EFS will have access to Perkbox allowing you to save money all year round on a wide range of perks such as supermarket savings, days out or your daily coffee
• Learning and study support
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health Cash Plan membership
• Enhanced company sick, maternity and paternity pay scheme
• Refer a friend scheme
• Subscription to mental health support and wellbeing
• Free on-site car parking

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.