Forensic Science Trainee Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 15307
Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Division: Pathology Services
Opening Date: 01/06/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants: 200
Position Description
Mission
The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.
Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief Forensic Neuropathologist Overview:
The Forensic Neuropathologist conducts crucial components of medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25, specifically by providing specialized neuropathology examinations for various types of death; providing neuropathology consultation to Assistant Medical Examiners both at the time of autopsy examination and in subsequent more specialized examination settings; providing testimonial evidence in court on various neuropathology subjects; and teaching trainees (forensic pathology fellows, pathology residents, medical residents, and medical students) about various aspects of neuropathology and how those neuropathology findings impact medicolegal death investigation.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conducts and completes neuropathology components of medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25, including gross examination of brains, spinal cords, eyes, and other specimens as may be indicated; interpreting gross anatomic and microscopic pathology; reviewing and synthesizing of medical records and police reports in the context of neuropathology findings; and crafting timely and thorough neuropathology reports to be used as a component of full autopsy reports
• Provides gross neuropathology consultation to Assistant Medical Examiners during forensic autopsies, including examination of fresh specimens and formalin-fixed specimens; provides microscopic neuropathology consultation to Assistant Medical Examiners, including both histology of specimens that were examined grossly and other cases where consultation is requested for microscopic findings
• Provides expert testimony in criminal and civil court matters relating to neuropathology and medicolegal death investigations, including case involving neuropathology questions arising in cases for which the initial examination was performed by another pathologist; prepares for testimony by attending depositions and pretrial conferences with attorneys as needed
• Participates in ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement activities within the Pathology Division, including regular attendance at daily case assignment and review conferences, and weekly quality assurance and consensus conferences
• Is fully engaged in teaching activities at the Department including mentoring forensic pathology fellows, supervising medical residents, and providing guidance to medical students, including providing direct supervision and instruction in performance as well as instructional presentations and lectures to the Pathology and Investigations Divisions

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Licensure & Certification:

• Licensed to practice medicine in Texas (prior to employment)
• Certification by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology and neuropathology
• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and maintain ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Expertise in forensic neuropathology, forensic pathology, general anatomic pathology, and broad foundational knowledge of other medical and surgical specialties
• Ability to communicate effectively and politely with lay, technical, medical, and legal audiences; ability to dictate neuropathology findings to seamlessly integrate with completed autopsy reports; and provide testimony as required in civil and criminal proceedings
• Must be able to calmly, effectively, and convincingly express complex analytical conclusions and medical decisions in adversarial situations
• Excellent time management skills, strategies, and abilities; ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Experience:

• Two years' experience in forensic neuropathology in hospital or medical examiner's office
• Experience in viewing / interpreting postmortem CT scans and / or neuroradiology scans

General Information
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full time; Monday - Friday
• Consistently requires > 40 hours per week
• Hours may vary based on needs of Department
• Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies if necessary

Work Environment:

• Office / morgue setting

Potential Exposures:

• Routine exposure to deaths of adults and children that resulted from violence, natural disease, environmental hazards, and toxins
• Will be exposed to biohazardous materials and offensive odors

Physical Demands:

• Medium work.
• Requires physical strength to push, pull, and lift up to twenty (20) pounds frequently and repeatedly
• Must be physically able to stand for extended periods
• Must be able to effectively don and doff appropriate personal protective equipment (including N95 mask, gown, face protection, as well as self-contained breathing apparatus as required), and be able to wear personal protective gear for extended periods (hours) while conducting intricate postmortem examinations

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to: Deputy Chief Medical Examiner

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01
Do you have a Doctorate of Medicine (MD), Doctorate of Osteopathy (DO), or a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)?

• Yes
• No

02
Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.
03
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in forensic neuropathology in hospital or medical examiner's office?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years but less than four (4) years
• Five (5) years or more
• I do not have this experience

04
Please provide details about your verifiable experience in forensic neuropathology in hospital or medical examiner's office.Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume"(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilitiesIf you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
05
Do you have experience in viewing / interpreting postmortem CT scans and / or neuroradiology scans?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you Licensed to practice medicine in Texas?

• Yes
• No, but able to become licensed prior to employment
• No, I am not licensed

07
Do you have a Certification by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology and neuropathology?

• Yes
• No

08
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions:Advanced:A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Intermediate:A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Basic:A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.Entry Level:A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

09
This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire)Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date
• No, I do not have a Valid Driver's License

Required Question