Associate Director of Science (Forensic Toxicology)

Quest Diagnostics • Lenexa, KS

6d

About The Position

The Associate Director of Science is responsible for the direction, planning, and management of R&D scientists focused on validation studies and new product development. This role ensures all projects align with departmental strategy, meet stringent regulatory requirements, and are delivered with scientific excellence. Key responsibilities include providing expert technical counsel to senior management, supervising a dedicated team of researchers, and maintaining accountability for the quality and timeliness of all laboratory deliverables.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in a high-volume forensic toxicology or clinical reference laboratory.
• Proven track record in the development and validation of methods using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS for the detection of drugs of abuse and their metabolites.
• Familiarity with SAMHSA, CAP-FDT, or ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards and a experience maintaining compliance within these frameworks.
• At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory or management role, including interviewing, hiring, training, and setting performance goals for VXSHUYLVHG staff.
• Demonstrated experience in authoring SOPs, assay validation reports, and forensic data packages for medium to large-scale projects.
• Able to lead projects and programs, set standards, and train staff.
• Experience in managing technical professionals required; with demonstrated supervisory and leadership abilities.
• Develop staff to independently solve technical problems; must act as a lead source of product development knowledge in the business unit.
• Understands the diagnostics product development process and design controls under FDA Quality System Regulations for medical devices.
• Able to resolve conflicts at both the project team and management level.
• Familiarity with clinical laboratory practices and operations is desirable
• Must possess excellent command of the English language and grammar, with demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communications.
• Ability to understand and critically analyze internal product development documents and business presentations, general business periodicals, relevant technical journals, and applicable governmental regulations.
• Ability to write clear, concise reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to common inquiries or complaints from employees, executives, vendors, customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the scientific community.
• Ability to compute basic statistical measures associated with quality control functions.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, linear algebra, and curve fitting at a sufficient level to guide staff and assess the quality of departmental work.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to analyze an extensive variety of business and technical information, make appropriate assumptions, and understand the implications of both the data limitations and assumptions on the conclusions drawn.
• Ability to effectively analyze and challenge data and conclusions generated by others.
• Requires knowledge and skills normally acquired through the successful completion of a Ph.D. in a scientific field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing technical support or expert testimony for legal proceedings or administrative hearings related to drug testing results.
• Professional certification through the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Direct and provide specialized technical oversight for forensic toxicology projects, ensuring all methodologies meet applicable regulatory standards.
• Design and validate analytical methods (e.g., LC-MS/MS, GC-MS) for the detection and quantification of controlled substances and their metabolites.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies into the production laboratory to improve throughput and detection sensitivity.
• Prepare and review technical SOPs, assay validation reports, and forensic data packages to ensure full compliance with regulatory and accreditation bodies.
• Serve as a technical expert for production laboratory workflows, troubleshooting instrumentation issues to maintain uninterrupted testing services.
• Collaborate with senior management to align method development projects with company priorities and client needs in the drug testing market.
• Lead project presentations and demonstrations for customers or regulatory auditors.
• Supervise and mentor direct reports, including hiring, training in forensic standards, and performance goal setting for supervised staff.
• Represent the organization at scientific meetings, presenting new research or validated technologies to the forensic community and partners.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree