Senior Scientist, R&D Assay Development

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. We measure fetal, tumor, or donor cfDNA at the molecular level to help inform personalized health care decisions with a non-invasive test.

The Natera R&D Department is looking for a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join the rapidly growing assay development team to help build the future of Natera. In this position, you will be an integral part of high-performing teams across functions to develop laboratory tests that positively impact the business and our patients. A successful candidate will have a deep understanding of molecular biology, strong scientific curiosity and high level of expertise of developing and validating assays through product development cycles. You will lead and support dedicated junior scientists and laboratory technicians to plan, execute and manage scientific studies under design control in a regulated environment to help improve and expand Natera's state-of-the-art product portfolios.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design development, verification, and validation studies with stakeholder input and coordinate efforts to achieve milestones within established timelines
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, such as automation, engineering, R&D, bioinformatics, and lab operations, to develop robust, automated workflows
• Lead the integration testing of automated workflows with software LIMS systems. Support the design and execution of integration testing to ensure data integrity between automation and digital systems
• Plan, execute, analyze and present data for moderate to high complexity experiments with hands-on work on troubleshooting
• Identify the root cause of problems and develop solutions to resolve problems effectively
• Perform basic data analysis (e.g. Excel, JMP) and comfortable to utilize AI agents like Gemini and Claude. Coordinate the analysis of studies with biostatistics and bioinformatics teams
• Provide regular updates at project team and departmental meetings on project progress, outcomes, and next steps to ensure alignment and transparency
• Author and review SOPs, study reports, and transfer documents for production implementation
• Train team members on new SOPs and automated workflows
• Provide support to lab operations, including troubleshooting and providing technical guidance
• Be flexible to handle multiple tasks and priorities, and perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Typically requires a university degree and a minimum of 8+ years of related experience or a MS degree and 6 years of related experience or a PhD and 4 years of related experience
• Knowledge of high throughput NGS workflows or other genetic testing applications in clinical settings
• Experience in developing and validating molecular assays for CLIA lab testing
• Experience with automation of molecular workflows or assay transfer to automated platforms
• Experience in managing responsibilities across more than 1 project
• Must possess very strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and demonstrated success in collaborative and individual projects

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Advanced technical proficiency in:
  • Standard and long-range PCR techniques, including primer design and optimization.
  • NGS technologies (e.g., Illumina, PacBio).
  • qPCR, ddPCR, and multiplex PCR.
• Knowledge of design verification/validation processes compliant with the U.S. and E.U. regulatory standards
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with meticulous attention to detail
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and demonstrated success in collaborative and individual projects