Technical Director – R&D

Labcorp•San Diego, CA

21h•$190,000 - $210,000•Onsite

About The Position

Labcorp is seeking a Technical Director – R&D to join their team in San Diego, CA. This role is a strategic scientific leader responsible for driving the development and execution of innovative molecular diagnostic products and technologies across the full R&D lifecycle, from concept generation and experimental design through validation and transfer to clinical operations. The role leads and develops high-performing scientific teams while providing technical expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS), highly automated laboratory workflows, and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) technologies that can be applied to prenatal, and related diagnostic applications. The Technical Director is responsible for identifying and translating emerging scientific advances into differentiated products, maintaining deep awareness of competitor activities, technology trends, and market dynamics, and shaping portfolio and innovation strategies that sustain competitive advantage and market leadership within cross disciplinary teams. Working collaboratively across Research, Clinical Operations, Bioinformatics, Quality, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and Commercial functions, this individual influences critical decisions, drives cross-functional alignment, and applies strong scientific, strategic, and operational leadership to bring impactful diagnostic solutions to market within a CAP/CLIA-regulated environment.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or engineering
15 or more years of experience in research and development and CAP/CLIA clinical diagnostics laboratory
5 or more years of experience as a Supervisor, Manager or Director

Nice To Haves

Doctorate of Science in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or engineering
10 or more years of experience in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, including assay development, workflow optimization, bioinformatic analysis, and translation of sequencing innovations into clinical diagnostic products.
5 or more years of experience with cell-free DNA (cfDNA) biology and analysis, including fetal fraction assessment, assay performance characterization, data interpretation, and the application of cfDNA technologies to prenatal, oncology, and other molecular diagnostics.
Excellent writing abilities

Responsibilities

Driving the development and execution of innovative molecular diagnostic products and technologies across the full R&D lifecycle.
Leading and developing high-performing scientific teams.
Providing technical expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS), highly automated laboratory workflows, and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) technologies.
Identifying and translating emerging scientific advances into differentiated products.
Maintaining deep awareness of competitor activities, technology trends, and market dynamics.
Shaping portfolio and innovation strategies.
Influencing critical decisions and driving cross-functional alignment.
Applying strong scientific, strategic, and operational leadership to bring impactful diagnostic solutions to market.
Overseeing and managing research projects through the R&D lifecycle – from experimental design through the transfer of optimized and developed products to the Operations laboratories.
Demonstrating capacity for leadership, effective communication, and delivery of constructive feedback.
Critically evaluating scientific literature within and outside own area of expertise.
Creating and delivering presentations for a variety of audiences, internal and external to the organization.
Developing and scaling highly automated sample processing and laboratory workflows, with expertise in liquid handling systems, process robustness, and throughput optimization.
Influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Applying strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.