Group Leader

About the role

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company providing analytical testing services across multiple industries. We are looking for a Group Leader with overall responsibility providing technical leadership and project management for a team of scientists supporting method establishment and analytical testing activities focused on RNA-therapeutic (LNP/AAV) methodologies. Training will be provided and those with existing RNA (mRNA, gRNA, ASO, siRNA) experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of scientists, fostering technical excellence, professional growth, collaboration, and high performance to achieve departmental and organizational objectives.
• Lead and oversee daily laboratory operations and resource scheduling, effectively prioritizing workload to meet project milestones, client requirements, quality objectives, turnaround time (TAT) targets, and revenue recognition goals.
• Ensure efficient execution of method establishment and routine testing activities.
• Recruit, interview, onboard, and train new employees in accordance with established procedures, ensuring successful integration, competency development, and compliance with company expectations.
• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring exceptional customer service, effective communication, and delivery of high-quality scientific results and project outcomes.
• Author and review protocols, test methods, and technical documentation in collaboration with management to support method establishment, validation, and routine testing activities.
• Provide technical leadership for method establishment and routine testing across a broad range of analytical platforms, including: LC-UV/CAD/FLD/MS (IPRP, SEC, AEX), CE/CGE, UV, Plate-based assays, DLS/ELS, ELISA, qPCR, ddPCR, compendial methods (Appearance, pH, Osmolality, CCIT, residual solvents, VIC).
• Proactively communicate project risks, technical challenges, resource constraints, and schedule impacts to management, ensuring timely resolution and effective stakeholder alignment.
• Develop innovative approaches and technical solutions to complex analytical challenges, providing guidance and support to scientists during method establishment and troubleshooting activities.
• Review laboratory investigations, deviations, and analytical data with scientists, providing technical expertise and troubleshooting support for the team.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implements corrective and preventive actions in collaboration with Quality Assurance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering, sciences, or other directly related field or degree with comparable coursework in the above areas and a minimum of two years of experience in a directly relevant or demonstrated comparable competency and skill attainment is required.
• A Master's degree in a relevant field may be substituted for the bachelor's degree and experience.
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying analytical techniques, including HPLC/UPLC, HRMS, and CE, for the analysis of RNA therapeutics in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Proven ability to lead daily laboratory operations and resource planning to achieve project milestones, client commitments, operational objectives, and revenue recognition targets.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong client relationships through proactive communication, technical partnership, and consistent delivery of high-quality results that meet client expectations and project goals.
• Experienced generating technical documents to support method development and validation activities.
• Experience utilizing LIMS system is desirable.
• Local or regional candidate preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrates strong leadership and strategic vision in directing teams, managing complex projects, and driving organizational initiatives to successful outcomes.
• Upholds the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and accountability while fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace culture.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, effectively managing competing priorities while maintaining focus on quality, client satisfaction, and business objectives.
• Leads with a collaborative and results-oriented management style, providing clear direction, fostering employee engagement, and driving accountability to achieve organizational goals.
• Constructively challenges assumptions and facilitates informed debate on critical business and scientific issues to support sound decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Applies a broad perspective to complex situations, evaluating multiple viewpoints and balancing competing priorities to develop effective solutions.
• Influences stakeholders through clear, data-driven communication, using facts and technical expertise to build consensus and drive action.
• Effectively delegates responsibilities and authority, empowering team members while ensuring accountability, development, and successful execution of objectives.
• Fosters an inclusive work environment by valuing diverse perspectives, promoting collaboration, and building positive working relationships across teams and functions.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to support sample lifecycle management, data integrity, workflow efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Experienced in the peer review of analytical data, technical documentation, and laboratory records to ensure accuracy, completeness, compliance, and adherence to quality standards.

Pay

$70,000 to $90,000

Schedule

Full-time, Monday to Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Candidates currently living within a commutable distance of San Diego, CA are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical coverage, with dental and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid holidays and vacation