Team Leader - Inherited Disease

Healius Limited; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retailer discounts

Health insurance discounts

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Discounted childcare

Online learning and development

Job summary

Healius Limited's Genomic Diagnostics team in Heidelberg (Melbourne) seeks an Inherited Disease Team Leader. You will provide senior clinical and scientific leadership, overseeing the inherited disease stream and guiding whole exome/genome sequencing workflows, interpretation, and reporting.

You will collaborate with pathologists, clinicians and laboratory colleagues to uplift testing quality, turnaround times and scientific rigor in a high-complexity diagnostic environment.

Qualifications

• Senior scientist with deep genomic diagnostics expertise.
• Experience interpreting complex NGS data and providing reports.
• Leadership experience in a clinical laboratory environment.
• Strong understanding of QC, QAP and ISO15189/NATA frameworks.
• Proven ability to drive workflow improvements and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide a team of scientists, technicians and pathology assistants in the inherited disease stream.
• Oversee and manage whole exome/genome sequencing workflow and reporting.
• Perform variant analysis and clinical interpretation for reports.
• Coordinate with Chief Scientist, Genetic Pathologist, and Clinical Geneticist on triage and reporting.
• Ensure testing and reporting meet quality standards and ISO/NATA requirements.
• Maintain laboratory practices, QC, and equipment oversight.
• Provide SME support on variant curation and case interpretation.
• Drive automation and continuous improvement to scale testing volumes.
• Escalate complex/urgent results to senior stakeholders.

Skills

NGS data interpretation

Genomic diagnostics

Laboratory leadership

Quality assurance

Data analysis

Education

Masters in diagnostic genomics

PhD or advanced fellowship (FHGSA / RCPA)

Experience in molecular pathology

Tools

NGS platforms

Laboratory automation

QC/QAP software

Job description

About Us

Genomic Diagnostics provides comprehensive genomic testing, spanning oncology, reproductive health, inherited disease and pharmacogenomics, to an extensive network of public and private hospitals and community referrers across Australia. Our primary focus is to provide high-quality and timely genomic information to assist in diagnosis and clinical decision-making.

About the Role

As the Inherited Disease Team Leader, you will be a trusted senior member of the Genomic Diagnostics team based at our Heidelberg laboratory, providing high - level clinical and scientific expertise across the inherited genomics portfolio. You’ll work closely with pathologists, clinicians and laboratory colleagues to deliver high-quality inherited disease testing and drive improvements in testing quality, turnaround times and scientific rigour.

Key responsibilities:

• Oversee and guide a team of scientists, technicians and pathology assistants in the inherited disease stream
• Oversee and manage the whole exome (or genome) sequencing workflow, including library preparation, sequencing, data analysis, curation and reporting.
• Perform variant analysis and clinical interpretation, and prepare, review and authorise high-quality inherited disease genomic reports.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders (Chief Scientist, Genetic Pathologist, Clinical Geneticist and Genetic Counsellor) on triage, variant analysis and reporting of whole exome and genome sequencing data.
• Ensure all testing and reporting meet NPAAC/NATA ISO 15189 requirements and internal quality standards.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory practice, including documentation, QC, QAP participation and equipment oversight.
• Provide subject matter expertise to scientists, trainees and clinical colleagues on variant curation and complex case interpretation.
• Drive workflow optimisation, automation and continuous improvement to support increasing testing volumes, turnaround times and service development.
• Escalate complex, abnormal or urgent results appropriately to senior scientific and clinical stakeholders.

About You

You are an experienced senior or clinical scientist with deep expertise in genomic diagnostics and strong scientific judgement. You’re confident interpreting complex NGS data, experienced in managing high-complexity testing and comfortable operating at a leadership level within a clinical laboratory environment. You’re motivated by the opportunity to apply your specialist knowledge to challenging inherited genomics cases and shape the development of a growing service.

To be successful, you will need to meet the mandatory requirements:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Science/Medical Science, with a Masters in diagnostic genomics or equivalent.
• Highly regarded: PhD, FHGSA (Molecular Genetics) or Fellowship of RCPA – Faculty of Science, or equivalent professional fellowship.
• Significant clinical or diagnostic laboratory experience (ideally 8+ years) within genomics, molecular pathology or related disciplines.
• Strong experience with whole exome and/or whole genome sequencing, including variant curation, interpretation and clinical reporting.
• Experience in analysis and reporting of carrier screening, hereditary cancer, somatic oncology, and/or haematological neoplasms.
• Experience with laboratory automation and emerging genomic technologies
• Demonstrated ability to produce high - quality, clinically robust genomic reports in a diagnostic environment.
• Strong understanding of QC, QAP, troubleshooting, and experience operating within NATA/ISO15189 and NPAAC frameworks.
• A track record of contributing to laboratory or service improvements, with a focus on scientific accuracy, efficiency and diagnostic quality.

Benefits, Perks and Wellbeing

• Access to retailer discounts and perks through the Flare Benefits platform
• Health and financial benefits, including access to Fitness Passport, corporate health insurance discounts, banking benefits, novated leasing and salary packaging options
• Free and confidential wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discounted childcare and babysitting services via Kiddo
• Access to online learning, courses and development pathways to support your career growth

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Healius is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, inclusive and merit-based recruitment practices. We strive to build diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve, valuing people across different life stages, genders, cultural backgrounds, ages and professional experiences. All applicants are assessed equitably based on their ability to meet the requirements of the role.

Healius is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Veteran Employment Commitment (VEC) and has been recognised as a Veteran Employment Supporter. We encourage applications from veterans and candidates with Australian Defence Force (ADF) experience.

Healius is committed to responding to every applicant, regardless of outcome. Timeframes may vary depending on the role and volume of applications.