Scientific Director

Gilder Search Group; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

PTO + Paid Holidays

401k

Job summary

Lighthouse Lab Services in Indianapolis, IN seeks an experienced Scientific Director to provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership across its clinical and forensic drug testing laboratories.

This executive role serves as the designated Laboratory Director, overseeing regulatory compliance, quality systems, R&D initiatives, and toxicology consultation services. Strong leadership and passion for lab quality are essential.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD) in Toxicology, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Medical Technology, or similar field, or an MD/DO meeting Director requirements.
• Board certification satisfying CLIA and state Director requirements.
• Minimum of two years directing or supervising high‑complexity lab testing.
• Strong background in forensic toxicology and drugs‑of‑abuse testing.
• Experience as a Laboratory Director within CLIA‑regulated labs.
• Experience maintaining CAP and CLIA compliance.
• Experience providing expert witness testimony and scientific consultation.
• New York Laboratory Director qualifications preferred.
• Experience with alternate specimen matrices is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and technical oversight for a high‑complexity clinical and forensic toxicology lab.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape strategy, growth and operational excellence.
• Ensure operations meet CLIA, CAP, state licensure and other regulatory requirements.
• Lead quality improvement, proficiency testing, and accreditation activities.
• Review and approve procedures, validations, quality documentation and protocols.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to enhance performance and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Forensic toxicology

Expert witness

LIMS/LIS awareness

Education

PhD in Toxicology

MD/DO (optional)

Tools

LIMS/LIS

Job description

Lighthouse Lab Services is partnering with an innovative high-complexity toxicology laboratory to identify an experienced Scientific Director in Indianapolis, IN to provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership across its clinical and forensic drug testing laboratories.

This executive-level position serves as the laboratory's designated Laboratory Director, overseeing scientific operations, regulatory compliance, quality systems, research and development initiatives, and toxicology consultation services. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in forensic toxicology with strong leadership skills and a passion for advancing laboratory quality, innovation, and client service.

The Role You'll Play

Scientific & Laboratory Leadership

• Provide scientific and technical oversight for a high-complexity clinical and forensic toxicology laboratory.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape laboratory strategy, growth initiatives, and operational excellence.
• Ensure laboratory operations consistently meet CLIA, CAP, state licensure, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts, proficiency testing, and laboratory accreditation activities.
• Review and approve laboratory procedures, validations, quality documentation, and technical protocols.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and testing methodologies that enhance laboratory performance and efficiency.

Regulatory & Quality Oversight

• Maintain laboratory compliance with CLIA, CAP Forensic Drug Testing Accreditation, OSHA, and applicable state regulatory agencies.
• Oversee laboratory quality assurance programs and corrective action processes.
• Ensure personnel competency programs are established, maintained, and documented.
• Provide technical oversight for laboratory policies, procedures, and quality systems.

Research, Development & Innovation

• Direct research and development initiatives supporting new assay development and laboratory advancements.
• Review and approve instrument validations and laboratory information system changes.
• Collaborate with laboratory operations to successfully transition validated methods into production.

Client Consultation & Expert Support

• Serve as the organization's primary toxicology consultant, providing interpretation of laboratory results and scientific guidance to clients.
• Participate in client education and scientific presentations.
• Act as the laboratory's designated expert witness, preparing reports and providing testimony for legal proceedings when required.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and develop laboratory scientists, technical leaders, and quality personnel.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on scientific excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in executive and laboratory leadership meetings to support organizational objectives.

What We're Looking For

• Doctoral degree (PhD) in Toxicology, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Medical Technology, or another related laboratory science field, or an MD/DO meeting Laboratory Director requirements.
• Board certification that satisfies CLIA and applicable state Laboratory Director requirements.
• Minimum of two years directing or supervising high-complexity laboratory testing.
• Strong background in forensic toxicology and drugs-of-abuse testing.
• Experience serving as a Laboratory Director within a CLIA-regulated laboratory.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining CAP and CLIA compliance.
• Experience providing expert witness testimony and scientific consultation is required.
• New York Laboratory Director qualifications are strongly preferred.
• Experience with alternative specimen matrices (oral fluid, hair, blood) is a plus.

Preferred Skills

• Extensive knowledge of high-complexity laboratory operations and quality systems.
• Strong understanding of CLIA, CAP, OSHA, and state laboratory regulations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary laboratory teams.
• Exceptional scientific writing and technical communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex toxicology concepts to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Experience with laboratory information systems (LIMS/LIS) and validation processes.
• Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and laboratory excellence.

Salary & Benefits:

• Competitive salary (DoE)
• Health, vision, dental
• PTO + Paid Holidays
• 401k

Equal Employment Opportunity:

It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status regarding public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Lighthouse Lab Services is committed to working and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including persons with disabilities. If at any time during the application process, you need accommodation, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

Lighthouse Lab Services | 800-838-0602 | lighthouselabservices.com
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