Staff Scientist, R&D

POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Scientist R&D, Molecular Biology Research, initiates, directs and executes pre-clinical scientific research and development in the Molecular Biology Research team. Focuses on advancing Natera’s oncology product portfolio and works within a research team inventing and evaluating new technologies for applications in oncology. Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products and problems.

Plans, executes and manages laboratory research. Maintains broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.

• Contributes very substantially and intellectually to research and development.
• Leads Signatera and Oncology projects to create and develop novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, feasibility, optimization, and transfer to Development.
• Responsible for projects and associated timelines and deliverables.
• Thoroughly comprehends the objectives and vision of the work.
• Independently develops plans, generates and advances new ideas.
• Independently designs and executes high complexity experiments.
• Coordinates the execution and analysis of effective experiments with statistics and bioinformatics teams
• Performs basic data analysis (e.g. R, JMP, Excel).
• May manage junior scientists and research associates.
• Very strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Adept with Excel and basic statistical analysis.
• Documents research progress under a Quality Management System.
• Actively interacts and communicates with interdepartmental teams such as R&D, Ops, Accessioning, Business Development, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Engineering, Product, and Support.
• Works and communicates with external partners and collaborators.
• Communicates progress directly with manager, colleagues and senior management.
• This role works with PHI on a regular basis both in paper and electronic form and has access to various technologies to access PHI (paper and electronic) in order to perform the job.
• Employee must complete training relating to HIPAA/PHI privacy, General Policies and Procedure Compliance training and security training as soon as possible but not later than the first 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain a current status on Natera training requirements.

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry or closely related field with 8+ years of industry experience.

• Must have experience with designing, executing, and analyzing data on next generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA/RNA molecular biology experiments (preferably with cfDNA/RNA).
• Experience developing tests in oncology, transplant, NIPT and/or liquid biopsy.
• Experience with nucleic acid technologies relating to PCR, multiplex PCR, qPCR, and digital droplet PCR.
• Epigenetic/methylation, target enrichment, cfDNA/RNA experience is a plus.
• Track record of originating, developing and productizing novel nucleic acid techniques and tests.
• Strong research skills with a history of innovation.
• Proven success in managing collaborative and individual projects and communicating externally.
• Must have excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, time management, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and providing basic level of leadership to research associates and junior scientists.
• Demonstrated success in applying independent scientific judgment in experimental design and analysis.
• Adept with Excel and basic statistical analysis.
• Bioinformatic capabilities, programming (e.g. PERL, python) and databases experience (SQL) are a plus.
• Skilled at writing clear plans, reports and SOPs.
• Experience with…