Principal Biostatistician

Natera; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 228,000 - 284,000; 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 holidays

Wellness and work-life benefits

Job summary

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.

This Principal Biostatistician role will independently lead the design, analysis, and reporting for practice-changing oncology randomized control trials, mentor junior statisticians,

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field (Ph.D. preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in clinical trial biostatistics.
• Strong expertise in time-to-event analysis, including handling of censoring, competing risks, and advanced survival modeling approaches commonly used in oncology.
• Expertise with innovative study design (e.g. adaptive and biomarker-informed designs), power calculations, and endpoint evaluation.
• Working knowledge of ICH and GCP guidelines as well as CDISC standards (e.g. SDTM, ADaM).
• Proficient in R.

Responsibilities

• Lead the statistical design and analytic planning for oncology clinical utility studies.
• Partner with clinical, medical, and translational scientists to influence study planning, development, and execution.
• Author and review statistical deliverables, including SAPs and reports for cross-functional collaborators and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior statisticians and support continuous improvement of departmental processes, tools, and templates.

Skills

Time-to-event analysis

Adaptive study designs

Biostatistics expertise

R proficiency

Strong scientific communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Biostatistics or related field

Tools

SDTM

ADaM

ICH/GCP compliance

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced, independent clinical biostatistician to advance adoption of Natera’s oncology portfolio of cutting-edge molecular diagnostic tests. As a Principal Biostatistician, you will independently lead the design, analysis, and reporting for practice-changing oncology randomized control clinical trials. You will propose efficient, fit-for-purpose study designs with broad impact across the oncology portfolio. You will serve as a mentor for junior members of the team and identify and explore methodological areas for innovation.

The ideal candidate brings deep statistical expertise, strong scientific communication skills, and a proven track record of applying innovative methodologies to oncology clinical trial design in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Study Design and Statistical Strategy: Lead the statistical design and analytical planning for oncology clinical utility studies. Provide technical expertise in complex study design methodologies and data analyses. Propose and justify efficient study designs tailored to complex oncology use cases.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as study statistician for Natera sponsored studies and provide consults for external collaborations. Partner with clinical, medical, and translational scientists to influence study planning, development, and execution. Identify risks, proactively communicate concerns, and champion solutions to interdisciplinary teams and executive leaders.
• Documentation and Reporting: Author and review high-quality statistical deliverables, including statistical analysis plans (SAPs), and reports (TLFs, CSRs, publications) for cross-functional collaborators and stakeholders.
• Innovation and Improvement: Recommend and apply novel statistical approaches where appropriate. Mentor early career statisticians and support continuous improvement of departmental processes, tools, and templates to enhance team efficiency and analytical rigor. Collaborate on manuscripts for publications.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field (Ph.D. preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in clinical trial biostatistics.
• Strong expertise in time-to-event analysis, including handling of censoring, competing risks, and advanced survival modeling approaches commonly used in oncology.
• Expertise with innovative study design (e.g. adaptive and biomarker-informed designs), power calculations, and endpoint evaluation.
• Working knowledge of ICH and GCP guidelines as well as CDISC standards (e.g. SDTM, ADaM).
• Proficient in R.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Expert-level ability to independently design clinical studies, grounded in deep domain knowledge and a nuanced understanding of complex, oncology-specific challenges.
• Experience with biomarker enabled clinical study designs, sample size determination, and endpoint evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for working in fast-paced, cross-functional environments with collaborators from diverse technical backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate complex statistical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Preferred qualifications:
  • Working-knowledge of NGS-based diagnostics and ctDNA/MRD.
  • Experience with non-inferiority studies.

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

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off and company holidays

Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$227,500 - $284,400 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.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for 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.