Principal Clinical Molecular Geneticist

Abbott; Illinois; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Principal Clinical Molecular Geneticist to lead our clinical molecular genetics services within the cancer diagnostics organization. You will review DNA test data, interpret variants, and guide test development while driving process improvements and cross-functional collaboration.

This role requires leadership, deep domain expertise, and a commitment to quality and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a chemical, biological, or clinical laboratory science with relevant board certification.
• Demonstrated leadership of clinical molecular genetics services.
• Experience interpreting genetic data and guiding test development and reporting.
• Ability to drive quality, SOP adherence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Review genetic testing data and write/edit genetic test reports.
• Lead process improvements to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide expert guidance on complex cases and test methodology selection.
• Mentor teammates and foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and maintain Quality Management System standards.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, health care providers, and vendors.

Skills

Leadership

Genetic data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Process improvement

Education

Doctoral Degree in Chemical/Biological/Clinical Laboratory Science

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You'll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Position Overview

As a member of the PreventionGenetics team, you will help lead and advance our clinical molecular genetics services while working within Abbott's broader cancer diagnostics organization. The Principal Clinical Molecular Geneticist reviews clinical DNA test data and test reports. This position maintains a Portfolio of clinical DNA sequencing tests and cultivates expertise in a subspecialty of genetic disease. The Principal Clinical Molecular Geneticist serves as a thought leader among the geneticist team, guiding process improvements and consulting on challenging cases.

Essential Duties

• Review genetic testing data, conduct troubleshooting when necessary, review the scientific literature, interpret genetic variants, write/edit genetic test reports, and sign out laboratory test results for tests performed.
• Curate gene panels to include comprehensive gene lists supported by scientific literature.
• Coordinate and lead process improvement projects to drive cost savings, efficiencies, and productivity.
• Troubleshoot technical problems, with the aid of technical staff, and ensure remedial action is taken whenever test systems deviate from the laboratory's performance standards.
• Serve as an exception handler and expert resource for colleagues regarding complex cases.
• Participate in the selection of test methodology and take initiative to improve systems, processes, and procedures to drive quality in daily production.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and coach others.
• Provide leadership by promoting communication and collaboration, proactively supporting employee development initiatives, promoting cross-functional collaboration and teamwork, and aiding in conflict resolution.
• Ability to manage confidential information.
• Effectively communicate cross-functionally to all levels within the company. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships by using appropriate interpersonal skills.
• Ability to frequently and accurately communicate with employees, customers, health care providers, and vendors, including representing the company at conferences.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and in project team situations.
• Comply with company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), practices, and applicable professional, Federal, State, and local regulations and assure that the laboratory is in compliance.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company's Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
• Ability to work designated schedule.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends, as needed.
• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of working time, which may include overnight/weekend travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree in a Chemical, Biological, or Clinical Laboratory science from an accredited institution; and Certification by one of the following entities at the time of hire and maintained throughout employment; and:
• American Board of Bioanalytics (ABB) as a High-Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD); or
• American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG), Molecular Genetics, or Cytogenetics; or
• Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG).
• Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree with 3+ years in a clinical lab with director oversight, certified in anatomical or clinical pathology, or both, by the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology at time of hire and maintained throughout employment in positi