Associate Scientist, R&D

This is a six-month contract role located in San Carlos with the potential to extend or convert to full-time based on performance and business needs.

Join our dynamic and fast-paced assay development team as an Associate Scientist supporting the Organ Health business unit. In this predominantly laboratory-based role, you will be crucial to the project, conducting vital assay development and validation activities. You will engage deeply in the scientific process, conduct meticulous experiments, and collaborate closely with a cross-functional team of senior scientists, Lab operation, automation engineers, biostatisticians, and lab directors to advance cutting-edge technologies. 

• →Support the planning, design, execution, and reporting of assay development and validation studies under the design control quality system
• →Prepare and characterize contrived clinical samples at the whole blood, plasma, or cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels
• →Write clear and comprehensive study plans, execution protocols, research reports, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• →Process laboratory specimens with meticulous attention to detail, employing advanced techniques in LIMS, database queries for accurate tracking and verification
• →Conduct independent experimentation, including reagent preparation and Quality Control (QC) for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) assays
• →Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks, document results accurately, and communicate findings through comprehensive research reports and lab meeting presentations

• Education & Experience: B.S. degree with 2-5 years of experience, M.S. degree with 2+ years of experience, or a Ph.D. with 0-2 years of industry experience
• Proven industrial experience with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based assays and protocols
• Extensive hands-on laboratory experience with nucleic acid and DNA/RNA molecular biology techniques, including extractions, PCR, NGS library preparation, hybrid capture, and DNA quantitation

• Experience with high-throughput sample processing and automated liquid handling equipment in a CLIA lab environment
• Familiarity and experience with cell-free DNA (cfDNA) technologies
• Experience in Design of Experiments (DOE), including stability testing, guard banding, and reproducibility/repeatability validations
• Previous experience working in a regulated environment
• Experience utilizing basic statistical analysis for experimental data
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and time management skills, with a proven ability to produce work of exceptional accuracy
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and cross-functional team culture

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.