{"id":250215,"url":"https://alion.io/job/natera-senior-scientist-rd","title":"Staff Scientist R&D","company":{"id":3078,"name":"Natera","domain":"natera.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/natera","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":81,"open_postings":34,"ghost_share":0.088,"stale_share":0.471,"repost_share":0.118,"time_to_fill_p50_days":42,"computed_at":"2026-11-01T06:10:25Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["South San Francisco, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":157300,"max":196600,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":196600},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Design Controls","optional":false},{"name":"Next-Generation Sequencing","optional":false},{"name":"PCR","optional":false},{"name":"qPCR","optional":false},{"name":"Verification & Validation","optional":false},{"name":"JMP","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-25T14:43:08Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-29","last_verified_at":"2026-11-01T16:33:37Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":68,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":68},"description":"POSITION SUMMARY:\nNatera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. We measure fetal, tumor, or donor cfDNA at the molecular level to help inform personalized health care decisions with a non-invasive test. The Natera R&D Department is looking for a highly motivated Staff Scientist to join the rapidly growing assay development team to help build the future of Natera. In this position, you will be an integral part of high-performing teams across functions to develop laboratory tests that positively impact the business and our patients. A successful candidate will have a deep understanding of molecular biology, strong scientific curiosity and high level of expertise of developing cfDNA assays through product development cycles. You will lead and support dedicated junior scientists and laboratory technicians to plan, execute and manage scientific studies under design control in a regulated environment to help improve and expand Natera's state-of-the-art product portfolios.\nPRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:\nLead technical projects and associated timelines and deliverables as a subject matter expert and represent the assay development group in cross-functional project teams.\nDrive the planning, design, execution, and reporting of feasibility, development, verification and validation studies under the design control quality system.\nCollaborate closely with research scientists, automation engineers, biostatisticians and data scientists within a dynamic R&D team to develop new and innovative molecular assays.\nCommunicate and document experimental data, scientific findings, and recommendations to R&D and other functions including Lab Operations, Scientific Affairs, Product Management, Quality, and Regulatory groups.\nMay manage Research Associates.\nQUALIFICATIONS:\nTypically requires a university degree and a minimum of 10+ years of related experience or a MS degree and 8 years of related experience or a PhD and 6 years of related experience\nKnowledge of high throughput NGS workflows or other genetic testing applications in clinical settings.\nExperience in developing and validating molecular assays for CLIA lab testing.\nExperience with automation of molecular workflows or assay transfer to automated platforms.\nExperience in managing projects.\nMust possess very strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.\nDESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:\nAdvanced technical proficiency in:NGS assay development using Illumina sequencing platforms.\nqPCR, ddPCR, and multiplex PCR.\n\nExperience in long-range PCR techniques and long-read sequencing technologies is a plus.\nHands-on experience with high-throughput sample processing and automated liquid handling systems in a CLIA-regulated lab.\nAdvanced data analysis skills utilizing tools such as JMP and Excel, comfort with programming languages like Python and R, and proficiency with bioinformatics tools and platforms.\nKnowledge of design verification/validation processes compliant with the U.S. and E.U. regulatory standards.\nExceptional communication and presentation skills with meticulous attention to detail.\nAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.\nA proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and demonstrated success in collaborative and individual projects.\nCompensation & Total Rewards \nThis range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.\nThis position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:\nAnnual performance incentive bonus\n\nLong-term equity awards\n\nComprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)\n\n401(k) with company match\n\nGenerous paid time off and company holidays\n\nAdditional wellness and work-life benefits\n\nCompensation Range\n$157,300—$196,600 USD\nOUR OPPORTUNITY\nNatera™ 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.\nThe 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.\nWHAT WE OFFER\nCompetitive 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!\nFor more information, visit www.natera.com.\nNatera 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.\nAll 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.\nIf you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. \nLink: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/\nPlease be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.\nFor more information:\n- BBB announcement on job scams \n- FBI Cyber Crime resource page","description_format":"text","description_chars":6805,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["401k plan","Equity"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Diagnostic Tests & IVD","Genomics & Genetic Testing","Precision Medicine"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-05T11:00:38Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 74 · green card filings: 31","filings_12m":74,"filings_prev_12m":77,"green_card_filings_12m":31,"median_offered_wage_usd":134690,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-29T16:27:21+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":20,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.55,"p_room":0.36,"age_days":67,"expected_fill_days":42,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-01T06:10:25Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":196600,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/natera-senior-scientist-rd","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/natera-senior-scientist-rd.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-01T19:16:32Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":29469,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-02T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3078},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3078"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fnatera-senior-scientist-rd"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fnatera-senior-scientist-rd"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fnatera-senior-scientist-rd"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/natera-senior-scientist-rd\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fnatera-senior-scientist-rd"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":250215}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"natera.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":250215},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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