Head - Geneticist

Job Description: Head – Genetic Laboratory

Position Title: Head – Genetic Laboratory

Department: Molecular Diagnostics & Genetic Services

Reporting To: Group CEO Chief Medical Director / COO

Location: Lower Parel

Experience: 10–15 years of experience in clinical genetics, genetic testing, or molecular diagnostics, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Position Overview

The Head – Genetic Lab will be responsible for the overall leadership, operations, and growth of the organization's genetic laboratory services. This role encompasses scientific and clinical oversight of genetic testing, ensuring compliance with international quality standards, managing cross-disciplinary teams, and establishing patient-centered genetic counselling services. The position demands a blend of advanced technical expertise in genetics, regulatory acumen, operational leadership, and empathetic communication skills for counselling patients and families.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific & Technical Leadership

Provide strategic direction and scientific leadership in molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms.

Oversee validation, implementation, and continuous upgrading of genetic testing technologies and panels.

Ensure the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of all diagnostic tests.

Stay updated with global advancements in genomics, precision medicine, and translational research.

Clinical & Genetic Counselling Integration

Establish and oversee genetic counselling services within the lab.

Provide guidance to patients, families, and clinicians on genetic testing options, results interpretation, and clinical implications.

Develop standard protocols for pre-test and post-test counselling in line with ethical and legal guidelines.

Train and mentor genetic counsellors and clinical staff to ensure sensitive communication of results.

Regulatory & Quality Assurance

Ensure compliance with NABL, CAP, NABH, ICMR, and other relevant regulatory standards. Develop and implement SOPs for testing, reporting, and genetic counselling.

Lead proficiency testing, quality audits, and external quality assurance schemes.

Maintain documentation for regulatory approvals and accreditations.

Operational & Administrative Responsibilities

Manage laboratory budgets, resources, and workforce planning.

Build and mentor a multidisciplinary team including molecular biologists, cytogeneticists, genetic counsellors, bioinformaticians, and technicians.

Drive collaborations with clinicians, hospitals, and academic institutions for research and patient referrals.

Develop business strategies for service expansion, outreach programs, and market positioning of the lab.

Research & Development

Promote translational research in genomics, rare disease diagnostics, prenatal testing, and oncology genetics.

Facilitate participation in multi-center trials, academic publications, and grants.

Encourage innovation in genetic testing panels tailored to local disease epidemiology.

Patient & Clinician Engagement

Serve as the clinical interface between the lab and healthcare providers.

Organize CMEs, workshops, and awareness programs on genetics and counselling.

Uphold ethical standards in patient data privacy, informed consent, and genetic risk disclosure.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

PhD/MD in Medical Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or equivalent discipline. Minimum 10–15 years of experience in clinical genetics, genetic testing, or molecular diagnostics, with at least 5 years in a leadership role

Demonstrated expertise in NGS, cytogenetics, and molecular assays.

Certification or formal training in Genetic Counselling (or substantial experience supervising genetic counselling programs).

Strong knowledge of international guidelines: ACMG, ACGS, CAP, NABL, NABH, ICMR.

Desirable

Fellowship in Clinical Genetics / Molecular Pathology.

Published research in peer-reviewed journals in genetics or molecular diagnostics. Experience in managing large teams and multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Exposure to digital health tools, bioinformatics platforms, and AI-driven genomics.

Core Competencies

Scientific Rigor: Deep expertise in genetic testing methodologies and their clinical interpretation.

Leadership: Ability to inspire, manage, and develop high-performance scientific teams. Communication & Counselling: Exceptional ability to explain complex genetic information to nonspecialists, patients, and families with empathy.

Regulatory Acumen: In-depth understanding of accreditation processes and compliance frameworks.

Strategic Vision: Capacity to expand the lab into a center of excellence for genetic diagnostics and counselling.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: ₹1,500, ₹3,000,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Provident Fund

Application Question(s):

• What is your Highest Education ?

Work Location: In person