Research Associate 1/Research Associate 2 San Carlos, CA

Natera, Inc.; San Carlos, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 35,818,000 - 60,614,000; Full time

Job summary

Natera, Inc. in San Carlos, CA is seeking a Research Associate 1/2 for a six-month contract with potential extension or conversion based on performance.

The role supports the RUO Oncology Team, performing nucleic acid extraction, library prep for NGS, and data interpretation within a regulated lab environment. The candidate will handle pipetting, QA/QC, SOP adherence, and collaboration across teams while maintaining HIPAA/PHI safeguards and accurate lab records.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in a biological science or equivalent required.
• 1–3 years of related laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Normalize plasma samples and extract nucleic acids using automated and manual methods.
• Perform library preparation for sequencing and determine nucleic acid quantity/quality.
• Load libraries on sequencing platforms and interpret data for next steps.
• Maintain records, review SOPs, and suggest process improvements as needed.
• Ensure HIPAA/PHI privacy compliance and pass background checks.

Skills

Pipetting skills

NGS library prep

NGS data interpretation

SOP compliance

HIPAA/PHI training

Strong communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

BS/BA in biological sciences

Tools

LIMS

Excel

Google Sheets

Google Drive

Job description

POSITION DURATION:

This is a six-month contract role located in San Carlos with the potential to extend or convert to full-time based on performance and business needs.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Research Associate 1/2performs laboratory procedures of varying complexity contributing to cross functional activities as part of the RUO Oncology Team, a multidisciplinary team within the research and development department.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Normalize plasma samples.
• Extract nucleic acids from whole blood, plasma, tissue blocks using automated and manual extraction methods
• Perform library preparation for nextgen sequencing using automated and manual methods
• Determine quantity and/or quality of nucleic acids using Quant-IT, Qubit, Nanodrop, BioAnalyzer, and qPCR
• Load libraries onto next generation sequencing platforms ( NovaSeq, iSeq,, Miseq, etc)
• Interpret data and determine appropriate next steps per outlined requirements
• Perform routine laboratory equipment maintenance as defined in standard operating procedures
• Recognize equipment and instrument malfunctions and escale to R&D equipment support team and relevant team members
• Track sample inventory and status using Laboratory Information Management Software or Google Sheets
• Maintain accurate records of lab work using a variety of softwares including Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and internal databases
• Periodically review standard operating procedures (SOP) and other work instructions
• Suggest process improvements to subject matter experts as needed
• Ensure accurate, ethical, and appropriate management of samples in compliance with all applicable federal regulation
• Perform other tasks as specified by the manager/director
• This role occasionally works with PHI both in paper and electronic form and has access to various technologies to access PHI (paper and electronic) in order to perform the job
• Employees must complete training relating to HIPAA/PHI privacy, General Policies and Procedure Compliance training and security training as soon as possible but not later than the first 30 days of hire
• Must maintain a current status on Natera training requirements
• Employee must pass post offer criminal background check
• Additional requirement: This role requires onsite work in San Carlos and flexibility to work shifted schedules (e.g., 7am - 4pm, 11am - 8pm, 7pm - 3am)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA in a biological science or equivalent required
• 1-3 years of related laboratory experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Extremely familiar with good pipetting practices (single and multi-channel micropipettes, serological pipettes)
• Hands-on experience with library preparation and next generation sequencing platforms highly preferred (NovaSeq, MiSeq, iSeq etc.)
• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid techniques (purification, quantification, amplification, etc)
• Able to operate independently in lab under general supervision with minimal human error
• Knowledge of LIMS/database softwares
• Experience with laboratory automation is a plus
• Excellent with Microsoft Office programs
• Excellent with Google Drive including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to think creatively and analytically with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Team player with demonstrated strong interpersonal skills with an ability to build effective working relationships within functional area
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, evolving environment, and manage competing priorities efficiently

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Duties are typically performed in an office and laboratory setting daily
• This position requires the ability to perform repetitive motions during pipetting and sample processing
• This position requires the ability to use a computer keyboard, communicate over the telephone and read printed material
• May require lifting or moving items weighing up to 25lbs.

The pay range is listed and actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations.

Remote USA

$30 - $44 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.

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 measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis 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.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

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.