Staff Scientist, New Product Development

Natera • San Carlos, CA

9h • Onsite

About The Position

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing, measuring fetal, tumor, or donor cfDNA at the molecular level to inform personalized health care decisions with a non-invasive test. The company is seeking a highly motivated Staff Scientist to join its Oncology Product Development Team. This role is for a seasoned candidate with experience in next generation sequencing (NGS) assay development who thrives on solving challenging and complex problems in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate is self-motivated and adept at navigating unknowns to drive the development, launch, and support of high-quality clinical assays. The Staff Scientist will collaborate with internal cross-functional teams to develop, launch, and support LDT products. The position requires a driven professional with broad knowledge of molecular biology and chemistry, applying statistical principles to experiment design and analysis. An in-depth understanding of product development and support in a CLIA environment, along with experience with current NGS oncology diagnostics devices, is essential.

Requirements

• MS with 11+ years or PhD with 8+ years experience in assay development and automation for the life science industry
• Demonstrated track record of development and validation of automated protocols for CLIA labs
• Well able to perform first-pass data analysis; strong ability to interpret experimental data
• Deep technical knowledge of NGS biology and processes
• Strong understanding of the chemistry underlying nucleic acid extraction, PCR, NGS library preparation, and hybrid capture technologies
• Experience implementing, optimizing, and troubleshooting high-throughput automated assays utilizing liquid handler robots
• Strong individual contributor as well as dedicated team player
• Experience designing and executing studies including stability, guard banding, reproducibility and repeatability and QC method development
• Data analysis (JMP, Python, or R) required
• Excellent communication, organization, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and to collaborate cross-functionally with other groups (regulatory, CLIA, LIMS, automation, research, product)
• Able to travel to Natera’s Austin site up to 20% of time

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate automated high-throughput NGS assays that will be run in a commercial CLIA laboratory
• Provide production support to automated high-throughput NGS assays currently run in commercial CLIA laboratories
• Manage assigned technical projects and associated timelines and deliverables in NGS-based assays. Mentor and manage the functional activities of junior employees
• Design and execute moderate to high complexity experiments and perform data analysis (e.g. JMP, R, Python, Excel)
• Work with Clinical Laboratory and Quality Assurance to ensure that developed methods meet Natera’s rigorous quality standards
• Coordinate with multiple internal groups (automation engineering, laboratory operations, bioinformatics, statistics, project and product management) and serve as point person/technical lead to ensure the successful and timely execution of projects
• Write study protocols, reports, and SOPs, train lab operations operators on protocols
• Identify areas for continuous improvement and actively contribute to the effort of introducing better practices to improve production workflows and shorten TAT for patient samples
• Ability to manage Scientists and Research Associates

Benefits

• Annual performance incentive bonus
• Long-term equity awards
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits
• Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents
• Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits
• Pregnancy and baby bonding leave
• Commuter benefits
• Employee referral program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree