Senior Research Associate

Natera; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Wellness and work-life benefits

Job summary

Natera, a global cfDNA leader, seeks a Senior Research Associate to advance NGS-based assays and support FDA submissions within a CLIA laboratory setting. You will collaborate across regulatory, QA, automation, bioinformatics, and product teams to ensure high-quality, scalable assays and robust verification activities.

The role requires strong molecular biology expertise, data analysis skills (JMP/Excel/Python/R), and experience in design controls for IVD products in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, or related field with 4+ years industry experience, or MS with 2+ years in a research/assay development setting.
• Experience with IVD product development and design controls.
• Experience in NGS-based assay development under design control and for FDA submission.
• Experience in regulated CLIA/CAP laboratory environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate automated high-throughput NGS assays for FDA submission and CLIA lab use.
• Implement assigned technical projects and timelines for NGS-based assays.
• Design and execute moderate to high complexity experiments and perform basic data analysis (JMP, Excel).
• Collaborate with assay development scientists on assay specs, reagents, equipment and quality metrics.
• Work with Clinical Laboratory and QA to ensure methods meet quality standards.
• Coordinate with automation engineering, lab operations, bioinformatics, statistics, and product management to drive projects.
• Write project protocols, reports and SOPs; train lab personnel.
• Plan and execute verification activities.
• Identify areas for continuous improvement to shorten turnaround times.

Skills

Molecular biology

Data analysis

Python or R

Liquid handler

Team collaboration

Communication

CLIA/CAP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology

Master's degree in Molecular Biology

Tools

JMP

Excel

Python

R

Liquid handling robots

Job description

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. We measure fetal, tumor, or donor cfDNA at the molecular level to help inform personalized health care decisions with a non-invasive test.

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Research Associate with a strong focus on process optimization and product verification studies to join the Early Cancer Detection product development team, joining a group of scientists who are tasked with developing and advancing Natera's oncology product portfolio.

The Senior RA will be working with internal cross functional teams to develop IVD products. The ideal candidate is a driven professional who maintains broad knowledge of molecular biology and chemistry, and applies statistical principles to experiment design and analysis. The Senior RA should have an in-depth understanding of design control methods and experience with current NGS oncology diagnostics devices.

We are looking for a meticulous and proactive Senior RA with experience in both NGS-based assay development under design control and meant for submission to FDA and other regulatory bodies and who can work effectively in a fast-paced environment to ensure that the highest quality clinical assays are developed and launched for our patients.

Primary Responsibilities

Design, develop, and validate automated high-throughput NGS assays that will be submitted to FDA and regulatory bodies, and be run in a commercial single-site IVD CLIA laboratory.

Implement assigned technical projects and associated timelines and deliverables in NGS-based assays.

Design and execute moderate to high complexity experiments and perform basic data analysis (e.g. JMP, Excel).

Collaborate with other assay development scientists on the specifications of assay, reagent, equipment and quality metrics for future production assays.

Work with Clinical Laboratory and Quality Assurance to ensure that developed methods meet Natera’s rigorous quality standards.

Coordinate with multiple internal groups (automation engineering, laboratory operations, bioinformatics, statistics, project and product management) and serve as point person to ensure the successful identification andtimely execution of projects.

Write project protocols, reports and SOPs and train lab operations clinical lab scientists on procedures.

Plan and execute verification activities.

Identify areas for continuous improvement and actively contribute to the effort of introducing better practices to improve production workflows and shorten TAT for patient samples.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, or related field with 4+ years if relevant industry or M.S. degree in molecular biology or related field with a minimum of 2+ years of relevant industry experience in a research and/or assay development setting.

Experience with IVD product development and design controls.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abiltities

Strong understanding of the chemistry underlying nucleic acid extraction, PCR, NGS library preparation, and hybrid capture technologies

Hands-on experience in reagent preparation and quality control for NGS-based assays

Experience with high-throughput automated assays utilizing liquid handler robots

Strong individual contributor as well as dedicated team player

Experience executing studies including stability, guard banding, reproducibility and repeatability.

Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment under CLIA/CAP

Data analysis (JMP and Excel) required, coding skills (Python or R), and liquid handler programming experience are a plus

Excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail and time management skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and to collaborate cross-functionally with other groups (regulatory affairs, CLIA, LIMS, lab operations QA, automation, research)

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 skills considerations.

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

• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$108,600 - $135,700 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.