Senior Molecular Pathologist & Laboratory Director

Are you motivated to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly collaborative laboratory environment? Are you seeking an opportunity to apply your expertise while continuing to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact on patient care?

Lighthouse Lab Services is seeking a Senior Molecular Pathologist & Laboratory Director to provide medical leadership for a high-complexity molecular diagnostics laboratory in Durham, NC. This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to advanced molecular testing, lead the development and expansion of a cutting-edge solid tumor minimal residual disease (MRD) assay, and oversee all regulatory and medical operations as CLIA Laboratory Director.

Position Summary:

As the Senior Molecular Pathologist & Laboratory Director, you will serve as both a clinical expert and a key medical leader within the laboratory. In addition to interpreting and signing out a broad next-generation sequencing (NGS) test menu, you will lead the launch, validation, and clinical integration of a high-impact solid tumor MRD assay.

In your role as CLIA Laboratory Director, you will maintain full oversight of laboratory operations, ensuring medical quality, regulatory compliance, and excellence across molecular diagnostics and flow cytometry testing performed at the Durham site.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical & Medical Leadership

• Interpret and sign out high-complexity molecular pathology cases, including NGS, PCR, and MRD testing, ensuring accurate and timely diagnoses.

• Provide medical leadership for MRD assay development, validation, clinical interpretation, and integration into laboratory workflows and reporting systems.

• Serve as a clinical resource for internal teams and external clients, supporting case resolution and strengthening physician relationships.

Laboratory & Regulatory Oversight

• Serve as the CLIA Laboratory Director, overseeing compliance with CLIA, CAP, and other regulatory requirements.

• Ensure SOP development, inspection readiness, personnel competency assessments, and regulatory documentation.

• Oversee quality assurance, quality control, proficiency testing, and continuous improvement initiatives across molecular diagnostics and hematopathology testing.

Operational & Strategic Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with laboratory supervisors, operations teams, and quality leadership to ensure efficient, compliant, and high-quality testing processes.

• Contribute to internal discussions, publications, and presentations related to new technologies, diagnostic strategy, and assay innovation.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and support pathologists, technologists, and laboratory staff.

• Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with organizational values and patient-centered care.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by senior medical leadership in support of medical, regulatory, or strategic goals.

Education, Experience & Qualifications:

• M.D. or D.O. degree required

• Fellowship training and Board Certification in Molecular Genetics Pathology required

• Hematopathology board certification preferred

• 5+ years of molecular pathology experience, including strong expertise in next-generation sequencing

• Hematopathology experience, including flow cytometry interpretation, preferred

• Active, unrestricted North Carolina medical license or willingness to obtain

• Additional state licensure (CA, FL, NY) a plus

• NY State Certificate of Qualification (COQ) for molecular diagnostics required or willingness to apply

• NY State COQ for flow cytometry strongly preferred

Location: Durham, NC
Schedule: Monday–Friday | Day Shift | Onsite

Why This Opportunity:

• Mission-driven organization focused on improving patient outcomes through advanced diagnostics

• Opportunity to lead and shape a growing molecular diagnostics program

• High level of medical autonomy and influence as on-site laboratory director

• Collaborative environment that values innovation, quality, and professional growth

About us:

At Lighthouse Lab Services, we offer solutions to help start, grow, and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has over 18 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. Lighthouse Lab Services is committed to working and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including persons with disabilities.

If at any time during the application process, you need an accommodation, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Lighthouse Lab Services | 844-974-1929 | lighthouselabservices.com

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