Staff Scientist R&D
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 21, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 20, 2026. Natera scores B on the Alion truth index.
STAFF SCIENTIST, Molecular Biology R&D
Location: San Carlos, CA
Department: Molecular Biology, Informatics, and Statistics
POSITION SUMMARY:
Natera is looking for a highly motivated and creative Staff Scientist to be a key member of our Molecular Biology Research Team. As a successful candidate, you will work on initiating, directing and driving to completion pre-product scientific research to expand Natera's state-of-the-art product portfolio in early cancer detection. Candidates with a proven track record developing NGS and multiomic assays will be considered, with a preference for oncology experience.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Independently lead projects to create and develop novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, and optimization
- Contribute to the overall success of projects
- Responsible for executing projects to associated timelines and deliverables
- Work cross functionally with other groups such as bioinformatics, development, product, and project management teams
- Mentor, direct and assist junior scientific staff setting an example for good scientific practices and rigor
- Write experimental reports, summaries and protocols
- Communicate progress regularly to stakeholders, including departmental meetings and senior leadership
- Assist with strategy, risk management, documentation, and improvement of processes, as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ph.D. in molecular biology or closely related field
- Minimum of 8 years of industry experience or 2+ years of post-doctoral research and 6+ years of industry experience
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Must have extensive experience designing, executing, analyzing data and problem solving of next generation sequencing (NGS) and molecular biology experiments
- Track record of innovating and scientific accomplishment including, developing novel nucleic acid and multiomic techniques and tests
- Demonstrated success in thinking creatively and independently in experimental design and analysis
- Experience leading complex research projects to completion
- Must have excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, time management and analytical skills
PREFERRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
- Cancer research experience is desired
- Experience with approaches including: epigenetic/methylation analysis, target capture/enrichment, WGS, proteomics
- cfDNA experience is a significant plus
- Experience with automation is a plus
- Experience managing and providing basic leadership to research associates and junior scientists
- Skilled at writing clear plans, reports and SOPs
Compensation & Total Rewards
This 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.
This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:
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
Compensation Range
$157,300—$196,600 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!
For more information, visit www.natera.com.
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.
If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.
Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/
Please 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.
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