Staff Scientist, R&D (Women's Health)

We are looking for an inquisitive and creative Staff Scientist to initiate, direct, and execute pre-product scientific research with an emphasis in Women’s Health. This Staff Scientist will investigate the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products and problem solving. The ideal candidate will have broad knowledge of state-of-the-art molecular biology principles, with hands-on experience in next-generation DNA/RNA sequencing, nucleic acid technologies, multiomics, molecular diagnostics development, and/or proteomics.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contributes substantially and intellectually to research and development

• Independently leads projects to create and develop novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, and optimization

• Responsible for executing projects as per associated timelines and deliverables

• Thoroughly comprehends the objectives and vision of the work

• Develops plans, generates and advances new ideas

• Performs basic data analysis, including statistics

• Independently designs and executes moderate to high complexity experiments

• Coordinates the execution and analysis of effective experiments with statistics and bioinformatics teams

• Ability to work cross-functionally with statistics, bioinformatics, product development, and project management teams

• Documents research progress under a Quality Management System

• May manage Research Associates

• May work with partners and outside collaborators

• Communicates progress directly with colleagues and senior management

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology or closely related field

• Minimum of 8 years of industry experience or 2 years of post-doctoral research + 6 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 

• Experience developing tests in NIPT and/or liquid biopsy highly desirable

• Experience with nucleic acid technologies relating to PCR, multiplex PCR, qPCR, and digital droplet PCR.

• Multiomics, epigenetic/methylation, target enrichment, cfDNA/RNA experience is a plus.

• Experience in women’s health molecular diagnostics is highly desirable.

• 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.

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.