Senior Research Associate

About the Role

Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing, measuring fetal, tumor, or donor cfDNA at the molecular level to help inform personalized health care decisions with a non-invasive test. We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate with a strong focus on process optimization and product verification studies to join the Early Cancer Detection product development team. This role involves working with internal cross-functional teams to develop IVD products, collaborating with scientists advancing Natera’s oncology product portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a driven professional with broad knowledge of molecular biology and chemistry, applying statistical principles to experiment design and analysis. The Senior Research Associate should have an in-depth understanding of design control methods and experience with current NGS oncology diagnostics devices, ensuring the development and launch of high-quality clinical assays for patients.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate automated high-throughput NGS assays for submission to the FDA and other regulatory bodies, to be run in a commercial single-site IVD CLIA laboratory.
• Implement assigned technical projects and associated timelines and deliverables in NGS-based assays.
• Design and execute moderate to high complexity experiments and perform basic data analysis (e.g., JMP, Excel).
• Collaborate with assay development scientists on specifications for assays, reagents, equipment, and quality metrics for future production assays.
• Work with Clinical Laboratory and Quality Assurance to ensure developed methods meet Natera’s rigorous quality standards.
• Coordinate with multiple internal groups (automation engineering, laboratory operations, bioinformatics, statistics, project and product management) to ensure successful project identification and timely execution.
• Write project protocols, reports, and SOPs, and train lab operations and clinical lab scientists on procedures.
• Plan and execute verification activities.
• Identify areas for continuous improvement and contribute to introducing better practices to enhance production workflows and shorten turnaround time (TAT) for patient samples.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, or a related field with 4+ years of relevant industry experience, or an M.S. degree in molecular biology or a related field with a minimum of 2+ years of relevant industry experience in a research and/or assay development setting.
• Experience with IVD product development and design controls.

Skills

• Strong understanding of the chemistry underlying nucleic acid extraction, PCR, NGS library preparation, and hybrid capture technologies.
• Hands-on experience in reagent preparation and quality control for NGS-based assays.
• Experience with high-throughput automated assays utilizing liquid handler robots.
• Proven ability as both a strong individual contributor and a dedicated team player.
• Experience executing studies including stability, guard banding, reproducibility, and repeatability.
• Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment under CLIA/CAP.
• Data analysis skills (JMP and Excel required); coding skills (Python or R) and liquid handler programming experience are a plus.
• Excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborate cross-functionally with groups such as regulatory affairs, CLIA, LIMS, lab operations, QA, automation, and research.

Pay

Compensation range: $108,600—$135,700 USD.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits.
• Free testing for Natera employees and their immediate families, including fertility care benefits.
• Pregnancy and baby bonding leave.
• Commuter benefits.
• Generous employee referral program.