Senior Research Associate

Natera · San Carlos, CA

POSITION SUMMARY:

Join Natera’s R&D team as a Senior Research Associate specializing in Oncology Assay Development. You will design, execute, and optimize next-generation sequencing (NGS) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) workflows to build liquid biopsy tests that directly impact patient care. Every sample represents a real person, and your analytical rigor will ensure the highest standards for clinical implementation.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design, plan, and execute experiments to support the development, optimization, and validation of oncology assays
  • Independently execute experimental workflows, including cfDNA extraction, library preparation, target enrichment, and sequencing
  • Develop and pressure-test new methods to improve the performance and precision of our clinical assays
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical and analytical tools
  • Maintain precise documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks, protocols, study plans, and technical reports
  • Think team by partnering directly with bioinformatics, biostatistics, automation engineering, software, and operations teams without translation layers
  • Communicate findings clearly through presentations and technical reports, ensuring unvarnished, data-backed updates
  • Support technology transfer to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulated operations, driving protocol improvements, training, and troubleshooting
  • Troubleshoot assays by identifying root causes and implementing data-driven improvements
  • Manage multiple projects with pace and precision, prioritizing tasks based on data to meet established milestones
  • Handle protected health information (PHI) in paper and electronic formats as required to perform duties
  • Complete required HIPAA/PHI privacy and security training within the first 30 days of hire and maintain current status on all training

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • B.S. degree in molecular biology, a related field, or equivalent
  • Minimum of 3 to 4 years of industry experience in an assay development department

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Direct hands-on experience with nucleic acid techniques, including DNA manipulation, PCR, qPCR, and DNA quantitation and analysis tools such as LabChip, BioAnalyzer, and Tapestation
  • Experience with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows, spanning library preparation, target enrichment, sequencing platforms, and associated quality control metrics
  • Experience running automation platforms, such as Hamilton, Bravo, BioMek, or KingFisher
  • Ability to interpret NGS data outputs, including Q30 scores, pass filter rates, coverage, on-target rates, and error rates
  • Ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities simultaneously while operating with operational rigor
  • Apply scientific literature and data to pressure-test assumptions and drive continuous improvement

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 skills considerations.

This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

  • 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
$87,300—$109,100 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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