Staff Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist (Multi-Cancer Early Detection)

Natera; United States; Remote; USD 163,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k plan

Fertility care benefits

Commuter benefits

Employee referral program

Job summary

Natera’s research team is seeking a Staff Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist to design models for multi-cancer detection from multi-modal genomic data. You’ll work with large-scale cohorts, collaborating with biologists and clinicians to advance methods from prototype to clinical validation, ultimately helping patients.

The role emphasizes leadership in method development, scalable ML implementation, and excellence in statistics and biology, with remote work flexibility in the United

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or related field with 6–12 years post-PhD experience.
• Hands-on experience developing novel statistical/ML methods for complex biological data.
• Proven track record of innovation and leadership in method development projects.
• Expertise in deep learning and multimodal foundation models.
• Proficient in Python and its scientific ecosystem.
• Strong scientific rigor and ability to teach and learn new methods.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of novel statistical and ML methods for cancer signal detection on multi-modal data.
• Build interpretable, well-calibrated models with robust uncertainty estimation.
• Prototype, test and productionize ML models using scalable infrastructure.
• Own key technical deliverables within projects and shape research roadmap.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists and clinical experts on experiments.
• Mentor junior scientists and promote curiosity, collaboration, and excellence.
• Translate complex results into clear stories for diverse audiences.

Skills

Deep learning

Multimodal foundation models

Python

Communication skills

Research leadership

Education

PhD in Computer Science / Mathematics / Bioinformatics

Job description

Staff Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist (Multi-Cancer Early Detection)

US Remote

Natera’s Research team is building tests that can detect many cancers from a single blood draw. We are looking for a Staff Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist to help design the models at the heart of that effort. You’ll work with large-scale, multi-modal genomic datasets from clinical cohorts and partner closely with molecular biologists and clinical scientists. Your research will advance the state-of-the‑art and you will drive new methods from prototype, through scalable implementation, toward clinical validation and, ultimately, to patients.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development of novel statistical and machine learning methods for cancer signal detection on multi-modal genomic data
• Build interpretable, well‑calibrated models, setting the standard for uncertainty estimation and reproducibility across the group
• Prototype, test and productionize ML models using scalable infrastructure
• Own key technical deliverables within larger projects and help shape the team’s research roadmap
• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists and clinical experts on design and analysis of experiments and validation studies
• Keep raising the bar through code and design reviews across projects
• Translate complex results into clear stories for technical and non-technical audiences
• Mentor junior scientists and champion a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and scientific excellence

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field with 6-12 years of experience post‑PhD
• Hands‑on experience developing novel statistical / ML analysis methods applied to complex biological data
• Proven track record of innovation and technical leadership in complex method development projects
• Expertise in deep learning and multimodal foundation models
• Proficient in Python and its scientific computing ecosystem
• Scientific rigor throughout the R&D process, with eagerness to teach and learn new computational methods and biology
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach across teams

Preferred Experience:

• Familiarity with DNA methylation and other epigenomic data
• Experience with cell‑free DNA and liquid biopsy samples
• Background in cancer genomics and diagnostics
• Hands‑on work with multimodal foundation models applied to biological data

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

$163,200 - $204,000 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!

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.

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