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Forensic Chemistry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WSU -

Instructor of Chemistry

Dayton, OH

D. or ABD in analytical chemistry, forensic chemistry, or related field * At least a one-year teaching experience in post-secondary level * Teaching, research, or other related positions in ...

SNA International

Forensic Drug Chemist

Decatur, GA · On-site

Bachelor's degree accredited four-year college/university in chemistry or other related science ... Minimum of three (3) years of recent work experience as a Forensic Drug Chemist working as a bench ...

SNA International

Forensic Drug Chemist

Pearl, MS · On-site

Bachelor's degree accredited four-year college/university in chemistry or other related science ... Minimum of three (3) years of recent work experience as a Forensic Drug Chemist working as a bench ...

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How much do forensic chemistry jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic chemistry in the United States is $68,182.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is forensic chemistry?

Forensic chemistry is a branch of chemistry focused on the analysis of physical evidence collected from crime scenes. Forensic chemists use scientific techniques to identify and quantify substances such as drugs, explosives, toxins, and other materials to assist in criminal investigations. Their work helps law enforcement agencies determine what substances are present, how they might have been used, and sometimes the source of those substances. Forensic chemists often testify in court about their findings, playing a key role in the justice system.

What are the qualifications to get a job in forensic chemistry?

The primary qualifications for a job in the forensic chemistry field are a bachelor's degree and several years of experience. Employers often prefer an advanced degree or experience in any forensic or law enforcement position. Many forensic chemistry jobs are with the government or companies that provide services to the government, so there may be additional requirements beyond those described here. For example, depending on the role, you may need to obtain a federal security clearance. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a forensic chemistry job requires analytical skills, communication skills, and proficiency with a variety of chemical analysis tools. Experience is precious in this field, so the more time you spend working in chemistry, the more likely you are to stand out from other applicants.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic chemists when analyzing evidence in criminal cases?

Forensic chemists often encounter challenges such as working with very small or degraded samples, ensuring the integrity of evidence throughout the analysis process, and maintaining strict chain-of-custody procedures. They must also stay updated on evolving analytical techniques and adhere to rigorous quality control standards to ensure their findings are legally admissible. Additionally, forensic chemists frequently collaborate with law enforcement and legal professionals, requiring strong communication skills to translate technical results into understandable reports and courtroom testimony.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic chemist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Chemist, you need a solid background in analytical chemistry, laboratory techniques, and a degree in chemistry or forensic science. Familiarity with instruments such as GC-MS, HPLC, FTIR, and relevant laboratory information management systems is crucial. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and strong written and verbal communication skills help forensic chemists effectively analyze evidence and present findings. These competencies ensure the accuracy, reliability, and clarity of forensic analyses, which are vital for supporting investigations and legal proceedings.
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What cities are hiring for Forensic Chemistry jobs? Cities with the most Forensic Chemistry job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Forensic Chemistry jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Chemistry jobs are:
Forensic Chemistry jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Chemistry job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,182 per year, or $32.8 per hour.

Assistant Professor, Forensic Chemistry

Towson University

Campus, IL • On-site

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Towson University rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

409th of 614 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Assistant Professor, Forensic Chemistry

Department of Chemistry & Forensic Science

The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics

FCSM-4011

  

Towson University:

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation's top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

Position:  
The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in a Forensic Chemistry position in the Department of Chemistry & Forensic Science. Preferred begin date, August 2027.  Priority in this search will be given to candidates who can support teaching and research in our forensic programs at the nexus of forensic chemistry and analytical chemistry.

  

Qualifications:  

A Ph.D. in analytical chemistry or forensic chemistry is required. Postdoctoral research in analytical and/or forensic chemistry, experience in a forensic trace, forensic drug, or forensic toxicology laboratory, and experience teaching undergraduates and graduate students is strongly preferred. The department is particularly interested in candidates whose proposed research and teaching will complement existing departmental strengths in forensic chemistry and analytical chemistry. 

Responsibilities:

The candidate will primarily teach lecture and lab courses in the Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) and in the forensic chemistry undergraduate programs. Candidates may also teach other courses depending on departmental needs. The candidate must establish a competitive independent research program that engages undergraduate and graduate students in forensic chemistry. The candidate is expected to pursue external research funding and disseminate their research findings in peer-reviewed journals and through presentations at professional meetings. Pre-tenure faculty members are assigned an instructional workload of five (5) course units per academic year.

The Department:

The Department of Chemistry & Forensic Science is ACS accredited, with 18 tenured or tenure-track faculty actively engaged in externally funded research involving undergraduates and graduate students. The department enrolls approximately 300 undergraduates in chemistry, forensic chemistry and chemistry secondary education, and 40 graduate students in the forensic science master's program. The department supports interdisciplinary programs in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics (MB3), and environmental science. Additional collaborative opportunities may be available with science faculty in the departments of anthropology, biology, computer sciences, mathematics, and physics, astronomy & geosciences.

Application Process:

Review of applications begins on September 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Incomplete applications and applications received after September 1, 2026, will not be reviewed by the search committee. To apply, please upload a single pdf file to Taleo containing the following documents in the specified order:

1.      A cover letter stating your interest in the position and your potential contributions to the Master of Science in Forensic Science and Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry programs at Towson University. (1 page limit)

2.      A current curriculum vitae highlighting relevant teaching and research experience. (3-page limit)

3.      A statement of teaching philosophy that specifically addresses your approach to teaching master's and undergraduate level lectures and labs. (1 page limit)

4.      A description of your proposed research program at Towson University.  You must include at least two different projects and describe how they are appropriate for graduate and undergraduate students in our Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) Accredited programs.  Emphasis on research with MSFS students is required (4-page limit, including references).

5.      Official copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts (listed in reverse chronological order).


Additionally, candidates must arrange for three confidential letters of recommendation to be sent to FRSCsearch@towson.edu by 5:00 PM Eastern time on August 30th, 2026. Letters must focus on the candidate's ability to establish an independent research program in forensic analytical chemistry (trace, drug, or toxicology), current research productivity, and ability to teach and work as part of a team.

Click here to apply. Please note that the search number for which you are applying is FCSM-4011.

Please be sure to visit the Applicant Data Form to complete a voluntary on-line form. All data collected are for internal, state, and/or federal reporting and will not be used for other purposes.

For more information, please contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis, at FRSCsearch@towson.edu.

Salary and Benefits:

Targeted salary range: $77,000 - $81,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits: TU offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent health, life and retirement plans, and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here for regular faculty/regular lecturer or here for contingent lecturer. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

Background Check:

A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate, and the results may impact employment.

COVID-19 Statement:

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-

to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.  

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