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Drug Testing Laboratory Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

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Drug Testing Laboratory information

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How much do drug testing laboratory jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for drug testing laboratory in Tennessee is $20.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $22.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drug testing laboratory?

A drug testing laboratory is a specialized facility that analyzes biological samples, such as urine, blood, hair, or saliva, to detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites. These labs use advanced scientific equipment and strict protocols to ensure accurate and reliable results. Drug testing laboratories are commonly used by employers, law enforcement, sports organizations, and healthcare providers to monitor compliance, ensure safety, or diagnose substance use. Qualified technicians and scientists oversee the process to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the testing.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working in a drug testing laboratory, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in a drug testing laboratory often face challenges such as maintaining strict chain-of-custody procedures, ensuring accuracy under tight turnaround times, and staying current with evolving testing technologies and regulations. Addressing these challenges requires meticulous attention to detail, ongoing training, and clear communication within the team. Working in a collaborative environment with well-defined protocols helps minimize errors and ensures reliable results, which are critical for compliance and client trust.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drug testing laboratory technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drug Testing Laboratory Technician, you need a solid background in chemistry or biology, attention to detail, and typically a relevant degree or certification in laboratory sciences. Familiarity with analytical instruments such as gas or liquid chromatography systems, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and adherence to regulatory protocols like CLIA or ISO standards is essential. Strong organizational skills, integrity, and clear communication help ensure accuracy and maintain chain-of-custody procedures. These abilities are crucial to guarantee precise, reliable test results and uphold the credibility and legal compliance of the laboratory.

What is the difference between Drug Testing Laboratory vs Drug Testing Technician?

AspectDrug Testing LaboratoryDrug Testing Technician
CredentialsLaboratory certifications, scientific degreesTraining in sample collection and testing procedures
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, controlled settingsCollection sites, clinics, workplaces
Industry UsageConducts complex analyses, quality controlPerforms sample collection, initial testing

The Drug Testing Laboratory focuses on detailed analysis and lab-based testing, requiring scientific credentials. In contrast, the Drug Testing Technician primarily handles sample collection and preliminary testing in field or clinical settings. Both roles are essential in the drug testing industry but differ in responsibilities and work environments.

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Drug Testing Laboratory jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Drug Testing Laboratory job openings:

Infographic showing various Drug Testing Laboratory job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,534 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate- Shear Strength of Ceramics

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 121 rated laboratories


Job description

Requisition Id 16887
Overview:
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the Ceramics and Ceramics Composites (CCC) Group within the Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSTD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and who will focus on ORNL's continued development of methods to quantify shear (yield) strength of monolithic ceramic materials as a function of temperature. You will use and help refine techniques developed at ORNL that estimate shear strength based on the brittle-to-ductile transition, hot hardness testing, spherical indentation, and other new pending methods. Additionally, you will develop/refine finite element and numerical analysis models to portray shear strength response as a function of temperature, and to attempt to ultimately reconcile those various experimentally measured responses.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Hot hardness testing and postmortem
  • Spherical indentation and postmortem
  • Estimate critical particle size associated with the brittle-to-ductile transition
  • Assist with developing additional concepts and tests to estimate shear strength
  • Develop model(s) to correlate to experimentally observed responses
  • Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner
  • Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements
  • Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics
  • Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:
  • PhD in Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering or a related field completed within the last 5 years
  • Experience in ceramics and brittle materials, experimental contact mechanics, and microstructural characterization
  • This position requires immediate eligibility to obtain and maintain DOE Q-Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with:
    • brittle materials,
    • experimental contact testing including indentation/hardness testing,
    • contact damage mechanics and mechanisms,
    • material microstructure and its characterization, and
    • finite element analysis (FEA) and numerical analysis techniques
  • Excellent record of productive and creative research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.
  • Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation:
Please submit three letters of reference when applying for this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.
Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:
  • Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
  • View Profile
  • Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL:
As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.
ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.
Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.
If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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