Job Details

Overview

Assoc Scientist R&D, RNA Assay Development

We are looking for a meticulous and dedicated scientist with hands-on laboratory experience in assay development who can work effectively in a fast-paced environment to ensure that the highest-quality clinical assays are developed and launched for our patients. The right candidate maintains a broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories and can work well in an exciting, stimulating, and creative environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design experimental plans and execute complex end-to-end laboratory experiments including nucleic acid extraction from FFPE tissue, NGS library preparation, hybrid capture and sequencing.
• Collaborate with assay development team to design, develop, and validate assays for commercial launch.
• Communicate and discuss results with a multidisciplinary group of bioinformaticians, statisticians, automation engineers, and reagents/quality control scientists.
• Write protocols, document results, make data driven decisions, and present findings at scientific meetings.
• Creatively contribute to development activities and advance the assay through design control processes to meet product requirements and project milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, or closely related field with 4-6 years experience in assay development for the life science industry
• Master's in molecular biology, biochemistry or closely related field, with 2+ years of industry experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction and quantitation, PCR/qPCR, library fabrication, sample quality control, hybrid capture, and sequencing.
• Proficiency working with FFPE tissue and RNA specifically is highly desired.
• Must be able to handle manual work/pipetting involving high throughput sample testing.
• Experience in optimizing laboratory methodologies and addressing complex problems that are unique when working with FFPE tissue.
• Demonstrated success in applying independent scientific judgment in experimental design and analysis.
• Experience in writing clear experimental designs, reports, and operating protocols.
• Must have excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail, and time management skills.
• Experience developing or executing assays using automated liquid handlers is preferred.
• Experience in data analysis using Excel and/or other data analysis tools; proficiency in programming languages such as Python is a plus.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Duties are typically performed in an office and laboratory setting. This position requires the ability to perform repetitive motions during pipetting and samples processing. The position requires the ability to use a computer keyboard, communicate over Zoom/telephone and read printed material. Laboratory activities require periods of standing while working and occasionally lifting heavy objects.

Compensation

The pay range is listed and actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations.

$96,400 - $120,500 USD

Our Opportunity

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.

What We Offer

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

Please note: If you are based in California, additional information for California residents may apply.