Forensic Scientist 3 - Supervisory DNA Analyst

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Scientist 3-Supervisory DNA Analyst with a strong work ethic to join our team. SNA International’s team works together in pursuit of the same cause: build a safe and just world by empowering organizations in the use of forensics, biometrics, and identity intelligence. 

The Quality Control/Validation (QC/VAL) section has the primary mission to support all casework sections performing human remains identification and family reference processing through DNA testing of specimens recovered from past military conflicts and current day operations supporting the AFMES and the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).  The section maintains capabilities in DNA profiling technologies utilizing mitochondrial DNA, autosomal Short Tandem Repeats (auSTRs), Y-Chromosomal (YSTRs), and next generation sequencing using single nucleotide repeats (SNPs).

The Forensic Scientist 3-Supervisory DNA Analyst directs scientists using mitochondrial DNA sequencing (both Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing) and nuclear DNA typing (autosomal- & Y-STRs) methods in support of mission requirements.

***This is a 100% onsite position in Dover, DE

Critical Work Responsibilities include:

• Assistsintheexpansionof theAFDILtechnicalprogramtoaccelerateservicework capabilities which may include the following:
  • Set upandmakeoperationallyreadyawidevarietyof laboratoryinstrumentsand equipment.
  • Write,review,andeditexperimentalprotocols,standardoperatingprocedures and operating instructions for projects of experimental programs, quality control procedures and general laboratory management operations.
• Conduct inspections and provide oversight to the adherence to established quality assurance activities including maintenance of standards and controls, preventive maintenanceandequipmentcalibration,reagenttestingandvalidation,andproficiency testing programs for accreditation or certification.
• Performgenerallaboratoryhouse-keepingactivities andmaintainaclean environment within laboratory work areas.
• PerforminvestigativestudiesonidentificationbyDNAtypingtechnologies.Maintain documentation of methods development and research activities in accordance with standard practice.
  • Supervise/performquality control testinginvolvingroutinenuclearandmtDNAtyping and profiling procedures.
  • Prepare formal written reports of quality control testing that containsprofessionalinterpretationsandconclusionsfromthetestdata,andthat are suitable for legal presentation in a court of law.
  • ReviewQuality Control testingandformalwrittenreports.

• Assistineducationalandtrainingactivitiesincluding:
  • Trainingandorientationof otherassignedAFDILpersonnelorvisitingscientists, analysts or technicians.
  • Preparation and delivery of various forms of presentation at local, regional, national,andinternationaleducationalseminars,conferences,symposia,etc.
  • ServeasatechnicalresourceforDNAtypingtoavarietyofscientists.
• Support validationprojectsfocusingonsystemswithincreasedsensitivityand discrimination power and advanced development of automated systems.

• Supportresearchprojectsfocusingonvariousprojectstoincludepopulation databasing, and working to increase sensitivity, discrimination power, and automated systems for casework applications.
• Supervisorytasksincludebutarenotlimitedtothefollowing:
  • DirectandmonitorQC/VALscientists’dailyactivities.
  • ProvidescientificandadministrativeguidancetoFS1sandFS2swithinthe section.
  • AssistQC/VAL Managerintrackingandreportingmonthlymetricsrequiredbytaskorders.
  • Conductindividualteammeetingsandattendfullteamandsupervisorymeetings to maintain open communication up and down chain of command.
  • Maintainsefficienciesandmoraleofteaminplanning,monitoringandappraising job results and that the monthly numbers are being met.
  • MentorFS1sandFS2sasassignedbythe Quality Manager and/or QC/VAL Manager.
  • Conductstraining,coachingandcounselingwereappropriatetoensurethat mission and contractual requirements are met.
  • EscalatepersonnelissuestoQuality Manager and/or QC/VAL Manager or Contract Program Manage where appropriate.
  • Maintainssafeandhealthyworkenvironmentbyestablishingandenforcing organization standards and adhering to contractual and legal regulations.
  • Completesoperationsbydevelopingschedules,assigningandmonitoringwork, gathering resources, implementing productivity standards, resolving operations problems,maintainingSOPs,performingreviewandimplementingand communicating new procedures where needed.
  • Ensureaccuratetimekeepingandthateachmemberoftheteamiscompleting their timesheets per policy.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Master’s degree in forensic science or one of the natural sciences with three (3) yearsofrelevantforensicDNAlaboratoryexperienceORabachelor’sdegree(or its equivalent) in one of the biological sciences, chemistry or forensic science-related area with four (4) years of relevant forensic DNA laboratory experience.
• Must meet the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for aDNA Analyst regarding successfulcompletionofnine (9) semester (or equivalent hours) in collegelevelcourses(undergraduateorgraduatelevel)with general knowledge in DNA profiling with a preference of having coursework in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
• Knowledge of the programs within DNA Operations and the military services as they relate to the clerical and administrative functions of theorganization.
• Generalknowledgeofforensictissuetypingmethods,especiallynuclear and mitochondrial DNA (nucDNA and mtDNA, respectively)profiling.
• Abilitytomaintainminimumstandardsoftechnicalproficiency, if necessary,asdemonstratedby acceptable performance on internal and external proficiency testingprograms.
• Maintainaprofessionalknowledgeandunderstandingofrelevantcurrentissuesinthe scientific and forensic communities.
• Professionalknowledgeandunderstanding ofthe principlesandtheoriesof molecular biology, and the skills to operate and maintain a wide variety of sophisticated analytical instruments.
• Sufficient knowledge and experience to independently initiate and carry through to completion,complexprocessinginvolvingDNAtypingusingnovelmethodsof nucDNA Typing and/or mtDNA sequence analysis.
• Ability to apply practical and theoretical knowledge to independently alter or modify established analytical procedures using scientifically acceptable approaches to resolve unforeseendifficultiesarisingfromanalysesof DNAderivedfromtissuesretrievedfrom unusual or unexpected environmental conditions.
• Knowledgeof safetyprocedures,guidelines, and regulations,andabilitytosafely handle hazardousmaterials.
• Sufficient level of competence in order to argue, reason,and draw inferences and conclusionsfromtechnicalinformation,experimentaldataandscientifictheories,andto prepare effective oral and writtenpresentations.
• Personalitytraitsnecessarytomaintaingoodteamcohesionandtosetagood workingexample.
• Knowledge of various requirements necessary for achieving accreditation by outside inspectionagenciestoincludetheFederalBureauofInvestigationQualityAssurance Standardsfor DNATesting Laboratories,theInternationalOrganization of Standards ISO 17025 General Requirements for the competence of testing & calibration laboratories, as well as the ANSI National Accrediting Body (ANAB) Accreditation Requirements 3125 for Forensic Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
• Individual must be able to successfully complete a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NAC-I)background investigation. The position does not require a Secret securityclearance,buttheindividualmay berequiredtoobtainagovernmentsecurity clearance at a future date if handling classified information or materials.
• Individualmustbeabletounderstandthecapabilities,limitations,andinterpretive results from the following complex technical procedures:
  • Processingandpreparationofvarioussubstratetypesfor extraction and purification ofDNA.
  • Quantitative&qualitativeanalysisofDNAbyvariousmethods.
  • ApplicationofPCRprocedurestoamplifytargettemplateDNAforsubsequent analysis
  • SeparationofDNAfragments,includingnuclearandmtDNAamplification and sequencing products, using capillary electrophoresis and various stationary matrixes such as agarose and polyacrylamidegels.
  • DyeterminationsequenceanalysisoftargetareasofthemtDNAgenome.
  • AnalysisofPCRamplifiedDNAusingfluorescentSTR technologies.
  • Operation of automated/robotic instrumentation associated with investigativestudies,servicecaseworkandreferencesampleprocessing.
  • Use of automated computer management systems to manipulate and analyzedatainpreparationofinterimandfinalreportsoncaseworkand developmentalstudies.
  • Computationof populationfrequencystatisticsasit applies toforensic DNAanalysis.
  • Analysis and interpretation of DNA typing results as applied to determining the statisticalrelevancyofDNAprofilematchesbetweenquestionedandreference samples when both are derived from the same individual, or, in the more complex situation, when the reference samples are derived from blood-relatives.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a NAC-I Security clearance.

Work Environment:

• WorkisonsiteattheAFMES facility.
• Understand that the possibility exists of exposure to noxious odors, hazardous chemicals,poisons,corrosivereagents,infectioustissues,x-ray,laser,and ultraviolet types of electromagnetic radiation.
• UnderstandsthattravelmayberequiredasapartofaDNAcollectionand/orsitesof mass fatality incidents as required by the government.

Physical Demands:

• SupervisorDNAAnalystshouldbeableto:
  • Sitorstandatautomatedcomputermanagementsystems,computersorlaboratory stations for extended periods of time.
  • Operateautomatedand/orroboticinstrumentation.
• Performlaboratoryhouse-keepingactivities.

TO APPLY:

Please submit your CV.

SNA International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.