Forensic Research Scientist (Scientist/Engineer III LCAT)

About the role

As a key technical and programmatic support resource for NIST's Special Programs Office (SPO) and its Forensic Science Research Program (FSRP), you'll apply your subject-matter expertise to help document current forensic science practices and strengthen the standards that guide the criminal justice, public safety, and homeland security communities. Your work will directly inform how forensic science disciplines like firearms, crime scene, and DNA analysis are practiced and validated nationwide.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Top Workplace by the Washington Post, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide data visualization and facilitation support for virtual process map working group meetings across the firearms, crime scene, and DNA disciplines, using tools such as MS Visio or LucidChart.
• Schedule and conduct virtual meetings using NIST-approved platforms (Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom), including developing meeting agendas and summaries.
• Draft and edit MS PowerPoint presentations on process mapping activities, and present findings at professional meetings.
• Support the NIST FSRP Subject Matter Expert (SME) in developing a plan to use process maps as auditing tools for standards and best practices on the OSAC Registry, with a focus on auditing firearms process maps.
• Participate in process mapping and audit meetings and document process steps that are missing or incomplete in published standards and best practices.
• Maintain project status in a project tracking tool (e.g., Excel or MS Project) and present updates at weekly virtual meetings with the NIST FSRP SME.
• Review process map steps across multiple forensic disciplines (e.g., fire investigation, seized drugs, human forensic DNA analysis, footwear and tire examination, firearms, friction ridge, handwriting, crime scene, wildlife forensics) to identify critical steps that could benefit from AI-based tools, and document findings in a structured table.
• Prepare and deliver oral briefings and recommendations on process mapping activities at weekly status meetings.
• Develop monthly progress reports (MPRs) detailing accomplishments, planned activities, resource expenditures, issues encountered, and schedule variances.
• Maintain a literature and terms database using a NIST-furnished reference management tool (EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley).
• Ensure all deliverables are grammatically and technically correct, and appropriate for a mixed audience of Federal, State, and Local Government and industry/academia stakeholders.
• Travel as needed (approximately two trips, each up to one week) to support project meetings and professional conferences.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to forensic science, OR a demonstrated equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a forensic science-related field.
• Knowledge of research in forensic science and specialized experience addressing issues within the forensic sciences.
• Record of noteworthy publications, invited talks, or contributions to the field of forensic sciences.
• Experience as a principal contributor to complex technical efforts, including working group settings.
• Experience providing technical editing support and facilitating process mapping exercises.
• Proficiency in MS Word and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in at least one process mapping tool: MS Visio or LucidChart.
• Proficiency in at least one reference management tool: EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley.

Skills

• Direct subject-matter experience in firearms, crime scene, or DNA analysis disciplines.
• Prior experience supporting NIST, OSAC, or other standards-development organizations.
• Experience presenting at national forensic science conferences (e.g., AAFS).
• Familiarity with the OSAC Registry and published forensic science process maps.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay

$100,000 - $145,000 annually

Schedule

Full-time remote position, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET with required travel.