Staff Scientist, R&D

Natera; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term equity awards

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Natera is seeking a Staff Scientist in Molecular Biology Research in South San Francisco to drive pre-clinical R&D for oncology tests. You will design, execute and analyze high-complexity experiments, manage projects, and collaborate with R&D, Bioinformatics, and Engineering to translate novel nucleic acid techniques into diagnostics.

The role requires a Ph.D. with 8+ years in molecular biology and experience with cfDNA/RNA, PCR techniques, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry or closely related field with 8+ years of industry experience.
• Experience with designing, executing, and analyzing NGS and DNA/RNA molecular biology experiments (cfDNA/RNA preferred).
• Experience developing tests in oncology, transplant, NIPT or liquid biopsy.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills; able to manage junior scientists.

Responsibilities

• Contributes substantially to research and development.
• Leads Signatera and Oncology projects to create nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning and transfer to Development.
• Manage projects, timelines and deliverables; coordinate experiments with stats and bioinformatics teams.
• Communicate progress with management and interdepartmental teams; write plans and SOPs.
• Ensure documentation under Quality Management System; maintain PHI privacy compliance.
• Interact with external partners and collaborators; mentor junior staff.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in molecular biology/immunology/biochemistry or related field

Tools

R

JMP

Excel

Python

PERL

SQL

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Scientist R&D, Molecular Biology Research, initiates, directs and executes pre-clinical scientific research and development in the Molecular Biology Research team. Focuses on advancing Natera’s oncology product portfolio and works within a research team inventing and evaluating new technologies for applications in oncology. Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products and problems. Plans, executes and manages laboratory research. Maintains broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contributes very substantially and intellectually to research and development.
• Leads Signatera and Oncology projects to create and develop novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, feasibility, optimization, and transfer to Development.
• Responsible for projects and associated timelines and deliverables.
• Thoroughly comprehends the objectives and vision of the work.
• Independently develops plans, generates and advances new ideas.
• Independently designs and executes high complexity experiments.
• Coordinates the execution and analysis of effective experiments with statistics and bioinformatics teams
• Performs basic data analysis (e.g. R, JMP, Excel).
• May manage junior scientists and research associates.
• Very strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Adept with Excel and basic statistical analysis.
• Documents research progress under a Quality Management System.
• Actively interacts and communicates with interdepartmental teams such as R&D, Ops, Accessioning, Business Development, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Engineering, Product, and Support.
• Works and communicates with external partners and collaborators.
• Communicates progress directly with manager, colleagues and senior management.
• This role works with PHI on a regular basis both in paper and electronic form and has access to various technologies to access PHI (paper and electronic) in order to perform the job.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry or closely related field with 8+ years of industry experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must have experience with designing, executing, and analyzing data on next generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA/RNA molecular biology experiments (preferably with cfDNA/RNA).
• Experience developing tests in oncology, transplant, NIPT and/or liquid biopsy.
• Experience with nucleic acid technologies relating to PCR, multiplex PCR, qPCR, and digital droplet PCR.
• Epigenetic/methylation, target enrichment, cfDNA/RNA experience is a plus.
• Track record of originating, developing and productizing novel nucleic acid techniques and tests.
• Strong research skills with a history of innovation.
• Proven success in managing collaborative and individual projects and communicating externally.
• Must have excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, time management, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and providing basic level of leadership to research associates and junior scientists.
• Demonstrated success in applying independent scientific judgment in experimental design and analysis.
• Adept with Excel and basic statistical analysis.
• Bioinformatic capabilities, programming (e.g. PERL, python) and databases experience (SQL) are a plus.
• Skilled at writing clear plans, reports and SOPs.
• Experience with Design Control and in a regulated environment a plus

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonablyexpect 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

$157,300—$196,600 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.

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.comemail 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.