• An exciting opportunity within the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Justice and Community Safety
• VPSG 3 Classification
• One (1) ongoing, full-time opportunity available

About Us

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) is an independent statutory authority governed by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 1985. It is part of the Justice portfolio of the Victorian Government.

The work of the VIFM can be described as a cycle of three parts:

• Providing forensic medical and scientific services and tissue banking
• Learning from this work
• Researching and teaching

VIFM is based at the Coronial Services Centre which also houses the Coroners Court of Victoria.

About the Role

The position of Scientist, Toxicology sits within Forensic Services which includes the departments of Forensic Pathology, Forensic Sciences and Clinical Forensic Medicine. Forensic Science encompasses Toxicology, Molecular Biology and Histology, and support VIFM's vision with providing a core forensic toxicology service to the State of Victoria in relation to deaths reported to the coroner and Victoria Police.

The Scientist, Toxicology performs toxicology for both Coronial cases and Victoria Police cases submitted to the laboratory for testing.

The Toxicology department is responsible for all medico-legal toxicology testing in Victoria (Coroners Court of Victoria and Victoria Police), relating to deaths occurring suddenly or unexpectedly and include motor vehicle and industrial accidents, suicides and suspicious deaths involving a criminal matter. The provision of service to Victoria Police includes analysis for drug impaired drivers, drug facilitated crime cases and random roadside drug testing.

About You

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and practical experience, acquired over time in an appropriate scientific discipline, to achieve agreed outcomes in the investigation of individual cases and projects in a forensic science environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of techniques used in clinical or analytical chemistry
• Demonstrated knowledge of good laboratory practice, and OH&S issues related to laboratory, scientific or medical environments
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team of professionals to achieve outputs and agreed deliverables
• Demonstrated organisation skills and the ability to multi-task and handle multiple demands
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate work, with attention to detail
• Approved analyst under Section 57 of the Road Safety Act for the analysis of alcohol and drugs in blood, urine and oral fluid (or the ability to attain an approved analyst status) is desirable
• Bachelor's degree in science, or equivalent, relevant to toxicology
• Membership of one or more relevant professional associations, e.g. the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, Australian and New Zealand Society of Forensic Scientists, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Australasian Society of Clinical and experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic).

Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.

Prior to commencement of employment with the department you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19. Acceptable evidence includes:

• COVID-19 digital certificate (available via your myGov account)
• Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account) or
• A letter from the GP who vaccinated you.

next steps

To submit your application, click Apply Now.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.