Lead Bioinformatics Scientist (Oncology)

Natera•San Carlos, CA

6d•$144,000 - $180,000

About The Position

Natera is seeking a Lead Bioinformatics Scientist to join its Oncology Bioinformatics team and support the development, validation, and clinical application of NGS-based assays. The role focuses on analyzing data to support wet-lab work and building bioinformatics solutions for oncology applications. The scientist will shape analytical validation strategy, design and analyze feasibility and performance evaluation studies, and generate real-world evidence demonstrating clinical utility. The role involves working with interdisciplinary teams to turn complex, multi-source data into actionable recommendations for research, product development, validation, regulatory submissions, clinical studies, and scientific publications.

Requirements

Master’s degree in bioinformatics or a related field with 10 years of post-graduate experience, or a PhD with 5 years of post-graduate experience; the posting marks this qualification as preferred.
Expert knowledge of NGS bioinformatics tools, including sequencing quality control and secondary analysis such as variant calling.
Experience with WES, WGS, or targeted sequencing of tissue and cfDNA, and somatic variant calling for SNVs, indels, CNVs, and fusions.
Working knowledge of statistical methods for assay performance evaluation and ability to collaborate with biostatisticians on study design.
Strong programming and scripting skills in Python, R, and shell.
Fluency in exploratory data analysis and visualization of complex datasets, and ability to turn observations into actionable recommendations.
Deep understanding of NGS workflows from sample extraction through sequencing, and ability to connect bioinformatics findings to wet-lab root causes.
Effective communication with wet-lab groups and cross-functional partners, including explaining technical concepts clearly.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple objectives and timelines.
Ability to adapt when experimental results change plans and a desire to work in a fast-paced, high-impact small-team environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting regulated or clinical-grade assay development, such as CLIA/CAP work or FDA submissions, including analytical validation studies.
Familiarity with clinical genomics, including oncogenic drivers, actionable biomarkers, targeted therapies, and oncology variant interpretation.
Experience with translational or real-world data analysis, including integration of clinical and genomic data.

Responsibilities

Lead analytical validation strategy for an NGS-based assay, designing, analyzing, and troubleshooting feasibility and performance evaluation studies such as PPA and LoD in collaboration with bench scientists and biostatisticians.
Drive real-world evidence studies demonstrating clinical utility for therapy selection and patient management, from cohort selection through analysis of plasma mutation calls.
Build rapid prototypes and pipelines for custom analyses integrating data from multiple Natera products.
Develop algorithms and tools for new products, including contributing to the production bioinformatics pipeline.
Serve as an internal technical consultant on bioinformatics methodology for other functional groups.
Collaborate with assay development, engineering, biostatistics, clinical, commercial, regulatory, and laboratory operations teams.
Contribute to regulatory submissions, clinical study reports, and scientific publications.