Director of Bioinformatics and Machine Learning

Natera; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 229,000 - 286,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance incentive bonus

Long-term equity awards

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off and company HOL

Wellness and work-life benefits

Job summary

Natera is seeking a Director of Bioinformatics and Machine Learning to lead technology and biomarker research for cancer early detection programs. This role heads a team of bioinformatics and ML scientists, guiding computational study design and collaboration with biology teams to generate data addressing key scientific questions.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in bioinformatics and ML with translating research into clinical diagnostics, and will drive publications, presentations,

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, CS, Statistics, or related quantitative field.
• 10+ years post-PhD research experience, including 5+ years leading teams of 5+ scientists.
• Proven track record deploying ML and statistical models on high-throughput sequencing data.
• Strong communication skills with senior-level influence.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute research roadmaps for cancer early detection in partnership with stakeholders.
• Lead, hire, and develop a team of ML and bioinformatics scientists.
• Own the computational design of research studies, including cohort selection and validation strategies.
• Collaborate with molecular biology teams to design experiments generating data to answer key questions.
• Serve as computational SME for leadership and cross-functional partners, communicating risks and recommendations clearly.
• Advance Natera's scientific leadership through publications, conferences, and IP.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Machine learning

Team leadership

Communication

Genomics

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Job description

Director of Bioinformatics and Machine Learning

Natera's mission is to change the management of disease worldwide by using information from a simple blood draw to detect disease early and proactively inform treatment. We are seeking a Director of Bioinformatics and Machine Learning to lead technology and biomarker research for our cancer early detection programs. This leader will head a team of bioinformatics and machine learning scientists developing the foundation of our next generation of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) assays across multi-cancer early detection (MCED), tissue-free molecular residual disease (tfMRD), and single-cancer screening.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on scientific leader who sets technical direction and stays close to the work by challenging analyses, reviewing models, and prototyping when needed. They combine deep expertise in bioinformatics and machine learning with experience translating research into clinical diagnostics.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and execute research roadmaps for cancer early detection in partnership with Research, Product, Clinical, and Assay Development stakeholders.
• Lead, hire, and develop a team of machine learning and bioinformatics scientists, building a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, and ownership.
• Own the computational design of research studies, including cohort selection, confounder control, and validation strategies that prevent overfitting and data leakage.
• Partner with molecular biology teams to design experiments that generate data capable of answering the key scientific and clinical questions.
• Serve as the computational subject matter expert for leadership and cross-functional partners, communicating tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Advance Natera's scientific leadership through publications, conference presentations, and intellectual property.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of post-PhD experience in industry or academic research, including 5+ years of direct people management leading technical teams of 5 or more scientists.
• Demonstrated track record of developing and deploying machine learning and statistical models on high-throughput sequencing data.
• Deep understanding of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and large-scale genomic datasets, including sources of technical bias and batch effects.
• Strong communication skills, with experience influencing scientific direction at a senior level.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in clinical diagnostics, including contributing to assays that reached analytical or clinical validation.
• Domain expertise in oncology, epigenomics, or cfDNA/liquid biopsy.
• Publication and/or patent record in computational oncology or machine learning.

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonablyexpect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

This positionis also eligible for additional compensation and benefits throughNatera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

• Annual performance incentive bonus
• Long-term equity awards
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$228,600 - $285,800 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!

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Natera’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

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An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.