Forensic Scientist, Toxicology

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Would you like to be part of a team involved in conducting highly specialized forensic examinations and analyses? Ontario's Centre of Forensic Sciences is one of the most extensive forensic science facilities in North America, with a main laboratory located at the state-of-the-art Forensic Services and Coroners Complex. We are responsible for conducting scientific investigations in cases involving injury or death in unusual circumstances and in crimes against persons or property.

NOTE:
•There is a current need to fill 1 permanent vacancy. The results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future permanent and temporary vacancies.

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About the job

The Toxicology Section seeks an experienced scientist to:
• Acquire expertise in the analysis of biological samples for drugs using instrumentation including Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (QTOF-MS)
• Write interpretative reports summarizing complex analytical findings in forensic cases
• Present forensic evidence in court as an expert witness
• Participate in research and development projects and client education
• Mentor and educate junior staff
• Travel for court and client training throughout the Province of Ontario

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You hold an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in majors such as pharmacology, toxicology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology or equivalent

Technical Knowledge and Experience

• You have proven theoretical and practical knowledge of pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry, biology and analytical chemistry
• You have demonstrated experience within a scientific laboratory setting including using analytical and general laboratory instrumentation for drug analysis
• You have knowledge of universal precautions as well as health and safety practices with respect to the handling of post-mortem and ante-mortem body tissues and fluids
• You have quality assurance knowledge to ensure the quality of products and that conclusions are scientifically sound as well as ensure compliance with established laboratory accreditation standards
• You are proficient with computer software programs for word processing, databases, and laboratory information management

Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership Skills

• You can present complex scientific information to both lay and professional audiences in a concise, understandable, and scientifically accurate manner
• You are able to work effectively with the forensic community including pathologists, coroners, police, and other stakeholders
• You can collaborate effectively within a diverse workplace

Time Management Skills

• You can produce high quality work in a timely manner in a challenging high throughput work environment
• You are able to determine priorities when faced with multiple competing responsibilities and accomplish tasks within established time frames

Research and Analytical Skills

• You are able to critically review scientific literature to assess scientific validity
• You have demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in order to prepare scientific research papers for presentation and publication
• You have experience conducting research projects

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS**

As part of the application process, please prepare a synopsis of the paper titled:
J Anal Toxicol. 2021 Sep 28;46(7):719–725. doi: 10.1093/jat/bkab106
Etizolam Blood Concentrations in 191 Forensic Cases in Ontario, Canada (2019–2020)
Christena Watts and Teri L Martin

You can access this FREE document by following this link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10010252/

Your synopsis must be 150 words or less and written at a level understandable by a person with no scientific background. Include your synopsis with your application and submit as one document (i.e., along with your cover letter and resume). Only applications with a completed synopsis assignment will be considered into the screening process.

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Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

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Additional information:

Note:

• About security checks:
  A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
  If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
  Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
• T-SL-246830/26

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How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.