New

Staff Scientist, New Product Development

San Carlos, CA

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. We measure fetal, tumor, or donor cfDNA at the molecular level to help inform personalized health care decisions with a non-invasive test.

We are looking for a highly motivated Staff Scientist to join Natera’s Oncology Product Development Team. We are looking for a seasoned candidate with experience in next generation sequencing (NGS) assay development who enjoys solving challenging and complex problems in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate is self-motivated and effectively works around unknowns to move the needle in the development, launch, and support of the highest quality clinical assays for our patients.

The Staff Scientist will be working with internal cross functional teams to develop, launch, and support LDT products. The ideal candidate is a driven professional who maintains broad knowledge of molecular biology and chemistry, and applies statistical principles to experiment design and analysis. The candidate should have an in-depth understanding of product development and support in a CLIA environment, and experience with current NGS oncology diagnostics devices. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design, develop, and validate automated high-throughput NGS assays that will be run in a commercial CLIA laboratory
  • Provide production support to automated high-throughput NGS assays currently run in commercial CLIA laboratories
  • Manage assigned technical projects and associated timelines and deliverables in NGS-based assays. Mentor and manage the functional activities of junior employees
  • Design and execute moderate to high complexity experiments and perform data analysis (e.g. JMP, R, Python, Excel)
  • Work with Clinical Laboratory and Quality Assurance to ensure that developed methods meet Natera’s rigorous quality standards
  • Coordinate with multiple internal groups (automation engineering, laboratory operations, bioinformatics, statistics, project and product management) and serve as point person/technical lead to ensure the successful and timely execution of projects
  • Write study protocols, reports, and SOPs, train lab operations operators on protocols
  • Identify areas for continuous improvement and actively contribute to the effort of introducing better practices to improve production workflows and shorten TAT for patient samples
  • Ability to manage Scientists and Research Associates

 QUALIFICATIONS:

  • MS with 11+ years or PhD with 8+ years experience in assay development and automation for the life science industry.
  • Demonstrated track record of development and validation of automated protocols for CLIA labs
  • Well able to perform first-pass data analysis; strong ability to interpret experimental data
  • Deep technical knowledge of NGS biology and processes

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Strong understanding of the chemistry underlying nucleic acid extraction, PCR, NGS library preparation, and hybrid capture technologies
  • Experience implementing, optimizing, and troubleshooting high-throughput automated assays utilizing liquid handler robots
  • Strong individual contributor as well as dedicated team player
  • Experience designing and executing studies including stability, guard banding, reproducibility and repeatability and QC method development
  • Data analysis (JMP, Python, or R) required
  • Excellent communication, organization, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail and time management skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and to collaborate cross-functionally with other groups (regulatory, CLIA, LIMS, automation, research, product)
  • Able to travel to Natera’s Austin site up to 20% of time

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

Compensation Range

$157,300 - $196,600 USD

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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