Research Associate/Sr Research Associate

Natera; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 57,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Natera, a leader in cell-free DNA testing, seeks a Research Associate/Sr Research Associate to join their innovative team in Austin, TX. This role involves hands-on laboratory work, executing and analyzing experiments for genetic diagnostic tests. Ideal candidates will have a background in molecular biology and a passion for advancing healthcare through genetic testing.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision plans

401k benefits

Free testing for employees and families

Generous employee referral program

Qualifications

• Research Associate I: BS/BA in biological science or equivalent.
• Research Associate II: BS/BA with 2 years of molecular biology experience.
• Sr. Research Associate: BS/BA or MS with 4 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute laboratory experiments using molecular biology techniques.
• Independently design and execute complex experiments for Senior Level.
• Analyze data and communicate findings with a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Molecular techniques

DNA isolation

PCR

qPCR

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Education

BS/BA in biological science

MS in biological science

Tools

Laboratory automation platforms

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Join to apply for the Research Associate/Sr Research Associate role at Natera

Join to apply for the Research Associate/Sr Research Associate role at Natera

As a Research Associate/Sr. Research Associate, you will play a pivotal role in a high-performance, cross-disciplinary team developing molecular and genetic diagnostic tests. This position provides an opportunity to work hands-on in the lab, contributing to the design, execution, and analysis of experiments supporting product development, verification, and validation.

Shift: Monday - Friday, CST daytime.

Primary Responsibilities

• Execute laboratory experiments using molecular biology and laboratory techniques to prepare samples for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
• For Levels I and II: Follow protocols to run experiments and assist in sample preparation under supervision.
• For Senior Level: Independently design and execute complex experiments, troubleshoot protocols, and lead project tasks.
• Analyze data, derive conclusions, and communicate findings with a multidisciplinary team of biologists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, and engineers.
• Maintain a detailed and organized lab notebook to record processes, results, and insights.
• Track samples via LIMS, perform database queries, and verify accuracy in sample processing and analysis.
• Perform standard laboratory procedures, escalating equipment or protocol issues to appropriate personnel when needed.
• For Senior Level: Write and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other lab documentation.
• For Level I: Support lab maintenance tasks, manage inventory, and contribute to general organization.
• Adhere to laboratory safety guidelines and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
  
  

Qualifications

• Research Associate I: BS/BA in a biological science or equivalent; laboratory coursework or internship experience is a plus.
• Research Associate II: BS/BA in a biological science with a minimum of 2 years of molecular biology laboratory experience.
• Sr. Research Associate: BS/BA or MS in a biological science with at least 4 years of relevant experience or equivalent expertise.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Hands-on experience with molecular techniques, such as DNA isolation, PCR, qPCR, and DNA quantitation.
• Familiarity with PCR library preparation for NGS and sequencing platforms (e.g., Illumina NovaSeq).
• Proficiency in laboratory automation platforms and relevant robotics systems.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks.
• For Senior Level: Effective project management skills to lead small teams or initiatives.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Word.
• For Levels II and III: Strong communication skills to interface with suppliers, document protocols, and present findings.
  
  

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Primary duties performed in a laboratory setting.
• May require repetitive motions, including pipetting and sample handling.
• For All Levels: May occasionally require extended hours, including weekends, to meet project deadlines.
  
  

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.

Austin, TX

$57,700—$72,100 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
  
  

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Biotechnology Research, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and Software Development

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