Senior Scientist, Molecular Biology Research

Natera; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term equity awards

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

Natera is seeking a Senior Scientist in San Carlos, CA, to join a collaborative Molecular Biology team. You will design and execute lab research advancing liquid biopsy-based cancer detection and NGS assay development.

The role emphasizes independent experiment design, data interpretation, and cross-functional collaboration with statistics and bioinformatics teams. The ideal candidate has a PhD in molecular biology or related field and 5–8 years of industry experience, with strong communication

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, genomics, biochemistry or a closely related field
• Minimum 5–8 years of industry experience or 2+ years post-doctoral research plus 3+ years of industry experience

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and execute laboratory research to advance Natera’s liquid biopsy products
• Develop and optimize nucleic-acid based diagnostic tests and multiomic workflows
• Manage project timelines and deliverables
• Design and perform high-complexity experiments independently
• Coordinate experiments with statistics and bioinformatics teams
• Communicate progress with managers and colleagues

Skills

NGS design

multiomic workflows

data analysis

communication skills

independent judgment

problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in molecular biology

Tools

R

JMP

Excel

Job description

SENIOR SCIENTIST, Molecular Biology R&D

Location: San Carlos, CA

Department: Molecular Biology, Informatics, and Statistics

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are looking for a Senior Scientist to join our highly collaborative Molecular Biology Research team. The Senior Scientist, will plan, design, and execute laboratory research to advance Natera’s growing liquid biopsy-based early cancer detection product portfolio. For this role, we require a candidate with experience developing NGS assays, with the ideal candidate having a demonstrated track record of creatively applying multiomic approaches to oncology applications.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contributes intellectually and creatively to research and development planning and innovation
• Advances novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests including, planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, optimization, and transfer to Development
• Responsible for project-associated timeline and deliverable planning and management
• Thoroughly comprehends the objectives and vision of the work
• Independently develops generates and advances new ideas
• Independently designs and executes high complexity experiments
• Coordinates the execution and analysis of experiments with statistics and bioinformatics teams
• Actively interacts and communicates with interdepartmental teams such as Operations, Program Management, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Engineering, Translational Science, and Product
• Documents research progress under a Quality Management System
• Communicates progress directly with manager and colleagues.
• Performs basic data analysis (e.g. R, JMP, Excel)
• May manage research associates
• Employee 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
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, genomics, biochemistry or a closely related field
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years of industry experience or 2+ years post-doctoral research and 3+ years of industry experience

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Must have extensive experience designing, executing, analyzing data and problem solving of next generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA molecular biology experiments
• Track record of originating, developing and/or productizing novel nucleic acid and multiomic workflows and tests
• Strong research skills with a history of innovation and scientific accomplishment.
• Must have excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, time management and analytical skills
• Demonstrated success in applying independent scientific judgment in experimental design and analysis

PREFERRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Cancer research experience is desired
• Experience with approaches such as: epigenetic/methylation analysis, target capture/enrichment, WGS, proteomics
• cfDNA experience is a significant plus
• Experience with automation is a preferred
• Skilled at writing clear plans, reports and SOPs

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
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$116,800 — $146,000 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