Junior Digital Forensics Analyst

Jr. Forensics & eDiscovery Specialist

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
Duration: Long term contract

Description
DFED team is seeking a Jr. Forensics & eDiscovery Specialist to join our growing practice. This is an entry-to-mid level position designed for a motivated professional with foundational experience in one or more of the following disciplines: digital forensics, eDiscovery, cybersecurity, legal operations, or information technology.
This hire is being made to supplement team capacity as we rollout new tooling in our forensic and eDiscovery program, and the successful candidate will work alongside experienced senior examiners on active investigations, legal collections, and process improvement initiatives. You will be involved in the full lifecycle of forensic work from intake and collection through analysis, reporting, and case closure under the guidance of the Director of Digital Forensics & eDiscovery.

This role is well-suited for someone who is precise, professionally curious, and comfortable operating at the intersection of technology and law. Prior hands-on experience with forensic or eDiscovery tooling is a strong advantage; a willingness to learn and grow in a structured, case-driven environment is essential.
The nature of certain collections and investigations may occasionally require additional onsite availability on short notice.

Education
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, Information Systems, or a related field preferred.

Equivalent combination of education, certifications, and demonstrated professional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree

Experience
1 to 3 years of professional or internship experience in one or more of the following areas:
Digital forensics or incident response eDiscovery, legal operations, or litigation support
Cybersecurity analysis or IT operations Paralegal or legal technology roles Law enforcement or government forensics (civilian or sworn)
Exposure to or hands-on use of one or more forensic or eDiscovery tools is strongly preferred (FTK, Magnet AXIOM, Cellebrite, Exterro, Nuix, Relativity, or similar)
Academic project work, capstone research, internships, or personal lab experience in digital forensics or cybersecurity will be considered.

Technical Skills
Working familiarity with Windows and macOS operating systems, file systems (NTFS, APFS, FAT), and artifact locations relevant to forensic investigation
Basic understanding of email architecture, Microsoft 365 platform components (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams), and cloud data structures
Exposure to forensic concepts including write-blocking, chain of custody, hash verification (MD5, SHA-256), forensic imaging, and evidence handling best practices
Familiarity with eDiscovery concepts including ESI, legal holds, EDRM framework, proportionality, and custodian identification
Comfort working within ticketing or case management systems; experience with Exterro Fusion is a plus but not required General proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook for documentation and communication.