Scientist R&D
Natera
San Carlos
Natera is seeking a Scientist to join our Molecular Biology Research Team, which develops the assays behind the next generation of cancer diagnostics. As a Scientist, you will design and run epigenomics-based research and biomarker discovery studies that help expand Natera’s oncology product portfolio. You will lead your own projects and drive key pieces of larger ones, working closely with bioinformatics and statistics partners to turn experimental results into real progress. This role is a great fit for someone with hands-on NGS experience, a strong molecular biology foundation, and a drive to see their work reach patients.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead projects and drive substantial components of larger programs to develop and optimize assay workflows, including planning, testing, protocol development, and troubleshooting.
- Independently tackle problems of moderate-to-complex scope, recognizing when alternative methods are needed and recommending options with their tradeoffs.
- Contribute to study design for assigned projects, bringing hypotheses and proposed next steps.
- Own timelines and deliverables for your work, anticipating obstacles and adjusting direction as needed.
- Analyze and QC your own experimental data (e.g., R, JMP, Excel) and use the results to guide the next round of experiments.
- Partner with the statistics and bioinformatics teams on complex analyses and help define the metrics that matter for your experiments.
- Communicate findings clearly to peers and leadership through written reports and meeting presentations.
- Document research progress under a Quality Management System.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in molecular biology, genomics, biochemistry, or a closely related field, with 2+ years of relevant industry experience, or M.S. with a minimum of 5 years of industry experience in assay development.
Required Expertise:
- Strong foundation in nucleic acid techniques and molecular biology.
- Hands-on experience with NGS methods, including sample prep, library prep, target enrichment (e.g., multiplex PCR, hybrid capture), and sequencing.
- Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments and troubleshoot, with evidence of independent thought and creativity in science.
- Sound scientific judgment, including the ability to weigh alternative approaches.
- Proficiency with analysis tools such as Excel, JMP, R, or Python.
- Clear, organized writing for experimental plans, reports, and SOPs, with strong record-keeping habits.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with cell-free DNA or liquid biopsy
- Background in oncology or cancer biomarker research
- Familiarity with bioinformatics workflows
- Experience with lab automation or assay development in a regulated environment
Compensation & Total Rewards
This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.
This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:
Annual performance incentive bonus
Long-term equity awards
Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
401(k) with company match
Generous paid time off and company holidays
Additional wellness and work-life benefits
OUR OPPORTUNITY
Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.
The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.
WHAT WE OFFER
Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!
For more information, visit www.natera.com.
Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.
If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.
Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/
Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.
For more information: - BBB announcement on job scams - FBI Cyber Crime resource page
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