Flow Cytometry Scientist

The Flow Cytometry Scientist performs and supports high-complexity flow cytometry testing for diagnostic, prognostic, and disease-monitoring applications within the approved laboratory scope of practice. The role is responsible for specimen assessment, panel preparation, staining, instrument setup, data acquisition, quality control, analysis, technical validation, and troubleshooting to ensure the delivery of accurate, reliable, and timely results.

The Flow Cytometry Scientist collaborates closely with Pathology, Hematopathology, and laboratory teams to support patient care and clinical decision-making. The position also contributes to assay validation and verification, competency assessment, quality management initiatives, and continuous improvement activities while ensuring compliance with American Hospital Dubai policies, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulations, College of American Pathologists (CAP) requirements, Joint Commission International (JCI) standards, and applicable laboratory quality and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Performs high-complexity flow cytometry testing within the approved test menu, including applicable hematolymphoid immunophenotyping, lymphocyte subset analysis, CD34 enumeration, PNH testing, immune monitoring, Measurable residual disease (MRD) and other validated assays.
• Reviews specimen identification, clinical information, suitability, anticoagulant, transport, storage, viability, and cellularity; escalates inadequate, compromised, or discrepant specimens in accordance with laboratory policy. Advises outreach laboratories on correct specimen/test order as applicable.
• Prepares specimens and antibody panels, performs staining and washing procedures, and applies validated controls, compensation, fluorescence settings, and acquisition parameters to achieve reliable and reproducible results.
• Operates, standardizes, calibrates, maintains, and troubleshoots flow cytometers and related equipment, documenting daily performance checks, maintenance, reagent status, and corrective actions.
• Analyzes flow cytometry data using validated gating strategies and software, identifies abnormal or technically significant patterns within authorized scope, and escalates cases requiring clinical interpretation to the responsible Pathologist/Hematopathologist.
• Supports verification and validation of new assays, antibody panels, instruments, software, reagents, reference ranges, and methodology changes, including analytical performance, carryover, sensitivity, reproducibility, and documentation assigned.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in the Laboratory Information System and approved analysis platforms, ensuring patient identification, specimen traceability, data integrity, confidentiality, controlled access, and retention of raw and analyzed data.
• Maintains adequate stocks of antibodies, reagents, controls, calibrators, consumables, and test materials through receiving, lot verification, storage, expiry monitoring, inventory control, and timely escalation of supply risks.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and support to students and trainees.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Performs and evaluates quality control, calibration, calibration verification, proficiency testing, external quality assessment activities, and other quality indicators to ensure analytical reliability and accuracy.
• Investigates quality control failures, instrument performance issues, and non-conforming events, implementing corrective actions and documenting outcomes in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Ensures compliance with patient identification, traceability, confidentiality, data integrity, and document control requirements.
• Collaborates effectively with pathologists, physicians, nursing staff, phlebotomists, laboratory colleagues, referral laboratories, and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality laboratory services and optimal patient outcomes. Provides technical support and guidance to laboratory colleagues within area of expertise.
• Participates in continuing education, professional development, competency programs, and departmental training initiatives to maintain current knowledge and technical proficiency. Promotes a culture of safety, quality, teamwork, innovation, and patient-centered care.
• Participates in internal audits, quality improvement initiatives, competency assessments, accreditation activities, and regulatory inspections to maintain continuous compliance with CAP, DHA, JCI, and other applicable standards.
• Supports the investigation, documentation, and resolution of incidents, non-conformities, corrective actions, preventive actions, and risk management activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Technology, Biomedical Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Immunology, or a related recognized discipline; Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Current professional registration in the home country where applicable and valid Dubai Health Authority (DHA) License/Eligibility appropriate to the professional title and approved scope of practice.
• Advanced knowledge of flow cytometry principles, immunophenotyping, fluorochromes, antibody panels, compensation, gating strategies, specimen preparation, quality control, and instrument troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of hematology/hematopathology, immunology, leukemia and lymphoma immunophenotyping, laboratory safety, and pre-analytical factors affecting flow cytometry results.
• Knowledge of CAP accreditation requirements, DHA Clinical Laboratory Standards, JCI requirements, and ISO 15189 quality principles is preferred.
• Strong analytical, technical, documentation, communication, and organizational skills with high attention to patient identification, traceability, data integrity, and confidentiality.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of four (4) to five (5) years of recent Medical Laboratory experience, including at least three (3) years of hands-on experience in clinical flow cytometry or immunophenotyping.
• Demonstrated experience with multicolor flow cytometry, specimen preparation, panel setup, instrument calibration, compensation, data acquisition, gating, analysis, and technical troubleshooting.
• Experience in hematolymphoid immunophenotyping and specialized applications such as lymphocyte subsets, CD34 enumeration, PNH, or other validated clinical flow cytometry assays is highly preferred.
• Experience in assay validation/verification, proficiency testing, quality control review, non-conformity investigation, corrective action, and accreditation preparation is preferred.
• Experience within a tertiary, CAP-accredited, JCI-accredited, or similarly regulated laboratory environment is highly preferred.