Senior Research Associate, NGS & IVD Process Optimization

SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening); San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off and holidays

Total Rewards program and employee ref

Job summary

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing. We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to join the Early Cancer Detection product development team in California.

The role focuses on process optimization, design controls, and verification studies for FDA-regulatory submissions of NGS-based oncology assays. The candidate will collaborate with multiple internal groups, apply statistical principles, and help ensure high-quality clinical assays are developed and launched in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, or related field with 4+ years of industry experience
• MS degree with 2+ years of industry experience in research/assay development

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate automated high-throughput NGS assays for FDA submission
• Implement assigned technical projects with 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 assay development scientists on specifications of assay, reagent, equipment and quality metrics
• Work with Clinical Laboratory and Quality Assurance to ensure methods meet quality standards
• Coordinate with internal groups to ensure successful project execution
• Write project protocols, reports and SOPs and train lab staff
• Plan and execute verification activities
• Identify areas for continuous improvement to shorten turnaround time

Skills

Molecular biology

NGS

Design controls

Data analysis

Python or R

Quality/regulatory

Education

Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, or related field

MS in molecular biology or related field

Tools

JMP

Excel

Python

R

Liquid handler robots

Job description

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing. We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to join the Early Cancer Detection product development team in California.

The role focuses on process optimization, design controls, and verification studies for FDA-regulatory submissions of NGS-based oncology assays. The candidate will collaborate with multiple internal groups, apply statistical principles, and help ensure high-quality clinical assays are developed and launched in a