Toxicology Scientist

Role Responsibilities

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is looking to fill a permanent Toxicology Scientist position in the Edmonton location.  This position will report to the Chief Toxicologist and will conduct research and advanced method development and validation for the detection, identification, and quantitative measurements of drugs, drug metabolites and other toxins in human post-mortem blood and tissues. The toxicology scientist will perform advanced analytical toxicology method troubleshooting and instrument maintenance.  In addition, this position will provide critical support to the Chief and Deputy Chief Toxicologists, who evaluate the presence of toxins in blood samples from deaths covered by the Fatality Inquires Act.

This position is responsible for analytical toxicology and technical procedures that directly influence the accuracy of toxicology results reported to pathologists and medical examiners. These results are critical for determining cause and manner of death under the Alberta Fatality Inquiries Act and may be used in criminal and civil legal proceedings. The successful candidate must be aware that inaccurate toxicology findings can compromise justice, mislead investigations, and negatively affect insurance outcomes for families.

You will develop state-of-the art analytical techniques that are fit for application within a forensic workplace, and present them to Senior Leadership for approval, as well as work to implement them. You may also develop, validate, and process the analyses of biological samples and/or drug paraphernalia, and provide professional reports to the Deputy Chief/Chief Toxicologist. You may also complete peer reviews on behalf of the Deputy Chief Toxicologist.

Responsibilities will include:

• Method Development & Validation: Design and validate advanced analytical toxicology methods to ensure precision, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Method Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve issues in complex toxicological analyses to maintain data integrity and workflow efficiency.
• Instrument Maintenance: Perform routine and advanced maintenance on analytical instruments to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime.
• Assay Execution: Conduct innovative and non-standard qualitative and quantitative toxicology assays tailored to emerging needs and complex cases.
• Quality Assurance Support: Assist in quality assurance activities essential for sustaining laboratory accreditation and compliance with industry standards.
• IT System Support: Maintain and support information technology infrastructure within the OCME toxicology lab to ensure secure and efficient data management.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

Qualifications

PhD in Analytical Toxicology or a closely related field (E.g., Chemistry, Toxicology) and at least five (5) years of experience in a laboratory and a minimum of three (3) years in analytical chemistry or equivalent, as described below.  

Equivalencies may be considered:
Master’s degree plus a minimum of seven (7) years related experience in a laboratory and a minimum of three (3) years in analytical chemistry. University degree in analytical chemistry and a minimum of nine (9) years related experience in a laboratory and a minimum of three (3) years in analytical chemistry.

Required:

• First-hand experience of analyzing drugs or related compounds in biological specimens using LC-MS/MS, LC-QTOF (or TOF) and GC-MS/MS techniques.
• Method development experience with focus on innovative concept design and application in a laboratory setting.
• Experience in software and operating systems for a laboratory's analytical equipment. It is expected to be demonstrated in your resume or cover letter.
• Experience maintaining analytical toxicology instrumentation and knowledgeably engaging in advanced troubleshooting issues with equipment service engineers.

Assets:

• Skilled experience in conducting advanced toxicology analyses of postmortem specimens.
• Toxicology knowledge, including casework interpretation skills and experience.
• Experience working within an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Notes

Hours of work:  Monday – Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25/week).

Positions currently available:  One (1) permanent position.

Location: Medical Examiner Building – 7007 – 116 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5R8.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:
Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
Leadership and mentorship programs.