Senior Molecular Pathologist & Laboratory Director

Lighthouse Lab Services•Durham, NC

21h•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

M.D. or D.O. degree required
Fellowship training and Board Certification in Molecular Genetics Pathology required
5+ years of molecular pathology experience, including strong expertise in next-generation sequencing
Active, unrestricted North Carolina medical license or willingness to obtain
NY State Certificate of Qualification (COQ) for molecular diagnostics required or willingness to apply

Nice To Haves

Hematopathology board certification preferred
Hematopathology experience, including flow cytometry interpretation, preferred
Additional state licensure (CA, FL, NY) a plus
NY State COQ for flow cytometry strongly preferred

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.