Lead Protein Technician or Technologist

Lighthouse lab Services seeks a Lead Protein Technician or Technologist to serve a new client on an exciting project in Durham, NC

About the Client

In this position, you’ll be joining an exciting early phase opportunity with a vibrant, financially supported, not-for-profit laboratory startup in The Research Triangle, NC dedicated to rare disease detection. The ideal candidate will be integral in providing quality lab testing services to accelerate detection of the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) gene.

About Durham

Durham, NC offers a unique mix of energy, culture, and livability that makes it an attractive place to live and work. Known for its vibrant food scene, walkable downtown, and strong sense of community, Durham blends historic charm with innovation as part of the Research Triangle. Residents enjoy easy access to top universities, world-class healthcare and research, greenways and parks, and a thriving arts and music scene, all with a lower cost of living than many major metro areas. Durham sits in the heart of North Carolina with easy access to other major metros like Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill as well as a few hours to the coast and Blue Ridge Mountains.

Overview

The Lead Protein Technologist performs high-complexity protein and immunoassay testing while providing day-to-day technical leadership within the protein laboratory. This role oversees workflow coordination, quality systems, staff training, and advanced troubleshooting for protein-based and immunochemical assays, serving as a subject-matter expert for protein testing methodologies specific to Protein assays, DxC700, and experience in a high-complexity Chemistry laboratory doing protein assays. The position supports CLIA and other regulatory compliance requirements across pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes and partners closely with laboratory leadership to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant test results. Shift leadership, on-call coverage, and acting supervisory responsibilities may be required.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform high-complexity protein and immunoassay testing in accordance with established procedures, regulatory standards, and competency requirements, including protein assays, DxC700.
• Serve as a technical resource for protein assay performance, result interpretation, troubleshooting, and problem resolution.
• Support daily laboratory operations by maintaining efficient workflow, prioritizing testing activities, and ensuring appropriate staffing and shift coverage as assigned.
• Lead and participate in quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement activities in compliance with CLIA, CAP, and institutional policies.
• Participate in competency assessments, proficiency testing, inspection readiness activities, and ongoing quality monitoring initiatives.
• Write, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), validation documentation, quality records, and technical reports related to protein testing.
• Perform and document instrument maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and performance verification for protein analysis platforms and immunoassay instrumentation.
• Assist in the evaluation, validation, implementation, and documentation of new protein-based assays, methodologies, and technologies.
• Perform pre-analytical and post-analytical activities, including specimen processing, reagent preparation, inventory management, result review, verification, and reporting of routine and complex findings.
• Provide training, orientation, mentoring, and competency assessment for new employees, students, and existing staff as assigned; serve as a preceptor when needed.
• Provide input into staff performance evaluations and support ongoing professional development.
• Communicate technical and testing-related information clearly and professionally with laboratory staff, clinicians, and internal stakeholders.
• Adhere to laboratory safety standards, infection control policies, chemical hygiene plans, PPE requirements, and patient confidentiality regulations.
• Participate in laboratory and organizational performance improvement initiatives.
• May assume supervisory or lead responsibilities during leadership absences to ensure continuity of laboratory operations.
• Perform other duties as directed by leadership

Basic Preferred Profile:

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following: biology, medical technology, microbiology, chemistry, or biochemistry
• At least 2 years’ experience working in a high complexity molecular testing lab, preferably in an independent reference lab
• ASAP certification highly preferred but not required
• Experience with NGS, PCR, and general Chemistry testing using but not limited to Quant Studio 5 for TaqMan assays, Illumina for validations, DXC 700 for immunoassays, and KingFisher instruments

Salary, Benefits, and Schedule

• Salary of $105K-$120K
• Full benefits package
• First shift M-F

About Us:
At Lighthouse Lab Services, we offer solutions to help start, grow, and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has more than 22 years of proven success placing job seekers in positions ranging from entry-level Medical Technologists to seasoned Laboratory Directors. We recruit nationwide, for permanent and travel positions with clients ranging from small hospitals to large reference laboratories.

It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Lighthouse Lab Services will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Lighthouse Lab Services |844-914-0785|lighthouselabservices.com

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