Scientist, Product Development

Natera•San Carlos, CA

About The Position

Join Natera’s Oncology Product Development team as a Scientist focusing on Assay Development. You will build, validate, and troubleshoot next-generation sequencing (NGS) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) assays used in liquid biopsy and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing. Every sample represents a real person, and your work will directly impact patient care by ensuring our assays meet strict clinical diagnostic standards.

Requirements

Ph.D. with a minimum of 2 years of industry experience, or a Master's degree with a minimum of 5 years of industry experience
Deep technical understanding of chemistry underlying nucleic acid extraction, PCR, NGS library preparation, and hybrid capture technologies
Ability to independently design experiments, interpret data, and determine the next scientific step
Extensive hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, specifically NGS, PCR/qPCR, and nucleic acid extraction and quantification
Ability to manage multiple priorities while operating with pace and precision
Clear, direct communication and presentation skills with strict attention to detail
An ownership mindset that identifies gaps, tests assumptions with data, and executes without waiting for a finished playbook
Proven ability to author clear, precise project plans, study protocols, reports, and SOPs

Nice To Haves

Experience building automated workflows and executing Laboratory Developed Tests (LDT) under CLIA/CAP guidelines is highly desired

Responsibilities

Design development, verification, and validation studies using stakeholder input, driving milestones to completion within established timelines
Integrate automated workflows with digital tracking systems, including Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) such as LabVantage, and execute integration testing
Partner directly with biostatistics, bioinformatics, and lab operations to root-cause issues using data, communicating clearly without translation layers
Plan and execute moderate to high complexity experiments, and perform primary data analysis using tools like Excel and JMP
Provide unvarnished, data-backed updates at project and departmental meetings regarding progress, outcomes, and next steps
Author clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), study reports, and transfer documents for production implementation
Train team members on new SOPs and automated workflows, and provide troubleshooting support to lab operations
Adapt to evolving science and operational needs, taking ownership of tasks that move the work forward