Overview In this Senior Scientist role, you will lead assay development efforts within Natera's R&D team to advance cfDNA-based tests. You will design and validate studies, coordinate cross-functional work, and ensure quality through design control in a regulated setting. You'll mentor junior scientists, manage timelines, and integrate automated workflows with software systems to ensure data integrity. This position offers the opportunity to shape next gen molecular assays that impact patient care and product portfolios. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex problems and drive impactful results.
Compensation / Benefits- comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage
- free cfDNA testing for employees and their families
- fertility care benefits
- pregnancy and baby bonding leave
- 401k benefits
- commuter benefits
Responsibilities- Design development, verification, and validation studies with stakeholder input and milestone-driven coordination
- Collaborate with automation, engineering, R&D, bioinformatics, and lab operations to build robust automated workflows
- Lead integration testing of automated workflows with software LIMS systems and ensure data integrity across systems
- Plan, execute, analyze, and present data for moderate to high complexity experiments; troubleshoot as needed
- Identify root causes and develop effective solutions; perform basic data analysis (Excel, JMP) and utilize AI agents
- Coordinate study analyses with biostatistics and bioinformatics teams
- Provide regular project updates to ensure alignment and transparency
- Author/review SOPs, study reports, and production transfer documents; train staff on new SOPs and workflows
- Support lab operations with troubleshooting and technical guidance
- Handle multiple tasks and priorities; perform other duties as assigned
Key requirements- university degree with 8+ years of related experience, or MS with 6 years, or PhD with 4 years
- Knowledge of high-throughput NGS workflows or other genetic testing in clinical settings
- Experience in developing and validating molecular assays for CLIA lab testing
- Experience with automation of molecular workflows or assay transfer to automated platforms
- Experience managing responsibilities across more than one project
- Strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with collaborative and individual project success
- interpersonal skills
- analytical thinking
- problem-solving
- Standard and long-range PCR techniques (primer design/optimization)
- NGS technologies (Illumina, PacBio)
- qPCR, ddPCR, multiplex PCR
