Associate Director, Genomics Core Facility

Title: Associate Director, Genomics Core Facility

Location: Upper East Side

Org Unit: Genomics Cores

Work Days:

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $179,500.00 - $209,800.00

• As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

The Associate Director will serve as a senior scientific and operational leader within the Genomics Core Facility, partnering with the Core Director to oversee a large, centralized institutional core supporting high-throughput sequencing for internal and external investigators. This individual will provide strategic and operational oversight across all genomic service lines, including short- and long-read sequencing platforms, and will drive innovation, operational excellence, and financial sustainability.

The Associate Director will lead a cross-disciplinary team in a high-volume production environment, ensuring delivery of accurate, high-quality genomic data while advancing workflow efficiency, utilization growth, and cost recovery goals.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide senior operational leadership for day-to-day activities of the Genomics Core within a high-throughput production environment.
• Partner with the Core Director to develop and implement strategic initiatives that expand services, improve performance, and strengthen institutional competitiveness.
• Ensure rigorous quality control and adherence to SOPs across DNA/RNA/Protein library preparation and sequencing workflows.
• Serve as subject matter expert in genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and multi-omic technologies, including single-cell, short-read, and long-read sequencing platforms.
• Evaluate, implement, and scale emerging technologies and automation strategies to enhance efficiency, data quality, and turnaround time.
• Provide high-level consultative support to investigators on experimental design, assay selection, and methodological approaches.
• Drive a strong service culture focused on responsiveness, scientific excellence, and user satisfaction.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor scientific and technical staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor utilization, workflow capacity, and operational metrics to support revenue growth and cost recovery targets.
• Contribute to financial oversight, including budgeting, pricing models, vendor negotiations, and service agreements.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, federal, and regulatory requirements related to biosafety, data security, and ethical research conduct.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with institutional stakeholders and external collaborators.
• Act on behalf of the Core Director as needed to maintain operational continuity.

Education

• PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in genomics, molecular biology, genetics, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of extensive experience in in high-throughput sequencing approaches, applications, and technologies in a core facility or industry R&D setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills, experience leading multidisciplinary teams, and proven capability to manage client relationships.
• Strong technical, organizational and communication skills and ability to troubleshoot are essential.
• Deep expertise in next-generation and third-generation sequencing platforms and familiarity with library preparation workflows.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Profound knowledge of genomics technologies and biological data analysis principles.
• Deep hands-on experience in DNA and RNA-based methodologies, including sample preparation for next generation sequencing, etc.
• Strong operational and organizational management skills in complex laboratory settings.
• Experience with budget development, financial management, and cost recovery models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage investigators and senior leadership.
• Ability to help academic and industrial researchers with experimental design, planning, and execution of research projects, develop research collaborations, and assist with writing grant proposals and manuscripts.
• Results-driven, highly collaborative, and service-oriented.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to evaluate and implement new technologies aligned with institutional priorities.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Laboratory-based position requiring adherence to institutional safety policies.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and handle biological samples using appropriate PPE.

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Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.