Laboratory Group Leader

GEL Engineering, LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Company-paid short-term disability

Company-paid long-term disability

401k with employer matching

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

GEL Laboratories, LLC in Charleston, SC seeks a Laboratory Group Leader to head a radiochemistry team, manage daily production, and ensure quality across analytical procedures and instrumentation. This role requires strong leadership, technical knowledge, and effective communication to meet client deadlines.

The ideal candidate will supervise analysts, maintain calibration and QA records, and collaborate with Project Management and Quality teams to deliver defensible results and timely

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (Chemistry or Biology).
• Minimum five years in analytical lab work; radiochemistry preferred.
• Supervisory experience is preferred; able to lead and develop staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and direct daily work and staffing to meet production goals.
• Oversee radiochemical separations, tracer yields, and data review.
• Maintain instrument calibration and quality control records.
• Train analysts and provide performance feedback; conduct evaluations.
• Coordinate with PM, Quality, and other groups on client requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Radiochemistry

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biology

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

GEL Laboratories, LLC, an affiliate of The GEL Group, Inc., is looking for a Laboratory Group Leader to join our team of professionals in our Charleston, SC office to lead a group of analysts performing complex analytical procedures with specialized instrumentation. As a Laboratory Group Leader you are responsible for leading a radiochemistry group's daily production, technical work, and staff. Production responsibilities include the analysis of samples using complex procedures and instrumentation. The Laboratory Group Leader must demonstrate adequate technical/chemical knowledge of the methods used throughout the radiochemistry division. Additionally, the Laboratory Group Leader must exhibit the organizational skills necessary to schedule and delegate workloads for timely completion. Scheduling includes organizing samples to meet client requirements and turnaround times, overseeing analytical quality, and resolution of technical or workflow issues. The successful candidate will be a skilled leader and communicator, excellent in Microsoft Office 365 applications, and understand most, if not all, functions of a radiochemistry laboratory.

What you'll do

• Plan, coordinate, and direct daily work, staffing, and sample priorities to meet production goals and client commitments.
• Oversee radiochemical separations, tracer yields, source preparation, counting, and data review.
• Maintain instrument calibration, performance checks, standards, and quality control records.
• Track throughput and turnaround times; resolve production and quality issues.
• Train and qualify analysts
• Give consistent feedback to group members regarding performance
• Responsible for annual performance evaluations to include career development and goals.
• Implement client requirements and coordinate with Project Management, Quality, and other groups.
• Assess technical requirements and group capacity for proposals and new work
• Control overtime and consumable costs
• Communicate with internal and external customers (Project Managers, Clients, or Auditors)
• Demonstrate and support GEL core values

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, preferably in Chemistry or Biology
• Five years of analytical laboratory experience (Radiochemistry preferred)
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability to learn, follow, and teach laboratory procedures and develop new methods as needs arise.
• Advanced math and computer skills to include M365, LIMS, etc.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Sound analytical judgment and data review skills
• Attention to sample identity, contamination control, quality, and documentation
• Strong organization, leadership, and communication skills

What We Offer

• A commitment to safety and corporate values that promote respect, integrity, and innovation.
• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance Plans, including Accidental and Critical Illness plans.
• Company-paid short and long-term disability insurance.
• 401k plan with employer matching.
• Paid Time Off and holidays.

Working Environment & Physical Demands

This position requires working in a busy production laboratory, safely processing samples from around the world. Safety is a priority, and negligence is not tolerated. Safety equipment is provided, and use is mandatory.

The physical demands outlined in this job posting are representative of those that are required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job:

• Precise hand/eye coordination and finger/hand manipulation.
• Potential exposure to chemicals and to hazardous and/or radioactive materials.
• Use of office and laboratory equipment and stamina to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects.

About The GEL Group, Inc.

The GEL Group, Inc. is a family of companies built around a shared commitment to protecting our environment and natural resources. For more than four decades, we have partnered with clients across the United States and around the world to provide trusted environmental and engineering services, surveying, analytical testing, remediation support, PFAS testing, and subsurface technologies.

What sets GEL apart is the combination of advanced technology, experienced professionals, and a deep commitment to delivering defensible data on time. Across GEL Laboratories, LLC; GEL Engineering, LLC; GEL Solutions, LLC; and Cape Fear Analytical, LLC, our teams bring specialized expertise and a common purpose to every project.

At the heart of our work is GEL's Core Purpose: To improve the quality of life for this and future generations by helping people protect and be good stewards of our environment and natural resources. That purpose guides how we serve our clients, support our communities, and approach every challenge with integrity, precision, and care.

At GEL, we are proud of our legacy, but even more focused on the impact we can make moving forward.