Director - Molecular Genetics

At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives.

We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: “What would I do if this patient were my mom?” That question drives everything we do.

But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose.

Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.

Position Summary
The Assistant Laboratory Director, Liquid Profiling supports the operational, scientific, and regulatory oversight of the Liquid Profiling Laboratory at Caris Life Sciences. This role assists in the development, validation, implementation, and interpretation of advanced molecular and genomic assays used to identify clinically actionable alterations in oncology specimens, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and inherited genomic variants relevant to cancer predisposition and pharmacogenomics.

The Assistant Laboratory Director works collaboratively with laboratory leadership, molecular geneticists, pathologists, laboratory operations, quality, bioinformatics, and oncology teams to ensure high-quality, compliant, and clinically meaningful molecular testing services. This position contributes to assay development, quality systems, regulatory compliance, staff mentorship, and clinical reporting activities within a high-throughput CAP/CLIA/NYS DOH-accredited laboratory environment serving a broad national and international oncology client base.

Job Responsibilities

• Supports laboratory leadership in ensuring the quality, compliance, and clinical integrity of high-complexity molecular testing services.

• Assists the Laboratory Director in oversight of high-complexity molecular testing operations in compliance with CAP, CLIA, NYS DOH, ISO 15189, and other applicable regulatory requirements.

• Supports implementation, development, optimization, validation, verification, and ongoing performance monitoring of molecular oncology assays, including liquid biopsy platforms, NGS, fragment analysis, PCR-based assays, and related technologies.

• Evaluates, reviews, and interprets genomic profiles and molecular testing data generated from DNA and RNA sequencing analyses and other molecular diagnostic platforms.

• Participates in the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of laboratory quality systems, quality assurance initiatives, quality control programs, and quality improvement activities.

• Assists in ensuring that testing systems provide quality laboratory services across the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing.

• Supports documentation, implementation, and maintenance of laboratory policies, procedures, standard operating procedures, and regulatory compliance requirements.

• Participates in inspections, audits, proficiency testing, accreditation activities, and monitoring of laboratory compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Collaborates with laboratory leadership to investigate quality events, deviations, nonconformances, and corrective and preventive actions.

• Provides scientific and technical consultation to laboratory personnel, clinicians, and internal stakeholders regarding molecular testing strategies, interpretation of results, and clinically relevant genomic findings.

• Contributes to preparation, review, and interpretation of clinical reports and supplementary information for ordering physicians.

• Collaborates with pathology, bioinformatics, clinical reporting, quality, and laboratory operations teams to ensure accurate, reliable, and clinically meaningful test results.

• Supports competency assessment, training, onboarding, mentorship, and technical supervision of molecular technologists, scientists, fellows, and junior staff performing high-complexity testing.

• Participates in laboratory operational planning, workflow optimization, implementation of new technologies, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

• Assists in maintaining and improving genomic databases, variant interpretation resources, and clinical annotation systems.

• Supports research and development activities related to emerging technologies, new assay development, and advancements in molecular oncology and precision medicine.

• Reviews quality control, quality assurance, and proficiency testing data to support accurate and reliable laboratory performance.

• Maintains current knowledge of molecular genetics, genomics, precision oncology, and laboratory medicine through scientific literature review, continuing education, professional activities, publications, and presentations.

• Promotes a culture of quality, compliance, teamwork, continuous improvement, professionalism, and patient-centered care.

• Maintains effective working relationships with accrediting agencies, healthcare providers, vendors, reference laboratories, and internal stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Genomics, or related scientific field.

• ABMGG certification in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics or Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics.

• At least three years experience post-fellowship in a clinical genomics laboratory, preferably focused on molecular oncology.

• Strong understanding of molecular genetics, genomics, and precision oncology principles.

• Experience or training in molecular diagnostic technologies including NGS, PCR, sequencing methodologies, and genomic data interpretation.

• Knowledge of CAP, CLIA, NYS DOH, and/or ISO 15189 laboratory regulatory requirements.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret complex molecular data.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Residency in or willingness to relocate to the Phoenix, AZ area is required, as this position requires full-time onsite presence.

Preferred Qualifications

• New York State Certificate of Qualification in molecular oncology and genetic testing.

• Experience in molecular oncology or clinical molecular diagnostics laboratory settings.

• Familiarity with liquid biopsy technologies and ctDNA analysis.

• Experience supporting assay validation, quality systems, or laboratory accreditation activities.

• Experience with clinical variant interpretation and genomic reporting workflows.

• Experience working with bioinformatics pipelines or genomic databases.

• Prior experience mentoring or supervising technical personnel.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.

Required Training

• All job-specific, safety, compliance, and regulatory training is assigned based on the job functions associated with this position.

Conditions of Employment:  Individual must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check ( applicable for certain positions) and reference verification.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.