Associate Scientist, Assay Development

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Associate Scientist within the Molecular Biology product development team will join a cross-functional team of scientists who are tasked with developing and advancing Natera’s oncology product portfolio. 

The Associate Scientist will be working with internal cross functional teams and investigating the feasibility of applying a variety of scientific principles and concepts to oncology diagnostics and monitoring space. The ideal candidate is a driven professional who maintains broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories with an in-depth understanding of applicability to oncology research.

We are looking for a meticulous and dedicated scientist with experience in both assay development and high throughput automation that can work effectively in a fast-paced environment to ensure that the highest quality clinical assays are developed and launched for our patients.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and validate automated high-throughput NGS assays that will be run in a commercial CLIA laboratory.
• Independently design and execute moderate to high complexity experiments.
• Collaborate with assay development scientists on the specifications of assay, reagent, equipment and quality metrics for existing and future production assays.
• Work with Clinical Laboratory and Quality Assurance to ensure that developed methods meet Natera’s rigorous quality standards.
• Coordinate across multiple internal groups (automation engineering, laboratory operations, bioinformatics, statistics, project and product management) and serve as point person to ensure the successful identification and timely execution of projects.
• Write documentation and SOPs, and train lab operations operators on protocols. Overlook validation activities.
• Participate in post-launch surveillance by troubleshooting production issues, performing root cause analysis on automation, reagent, peripheral equipment and assay failures.
• Identify areas for continuous improvement and actively contribute to the effort of introducing better practices to improve production workflows and shorten TAT for patient samples.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS with 6 years experience or MS with 2 years experience in assay development and automation for the life science industry.
• Demonstrated track record of development and validation of automated protocols for CLIA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• 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 implementing, optimizing, and troubleshooting high-throughput automated assays utilizing liquid handler robots.
• Strong individual contributor as well as dedicated team player.
• Experience designing and executing studies including stability, guard banding, reproducibility and repeatability, and validation.
• Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment under CLIA/CAP, NYSDOH, IVD is a plus.
• Data analysis (JMP) 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 collaborate cross-functionally with other groups (CLIA, lab operations QA, Automation, Research).

 

 

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.Austin, TX$81,700—$102,100 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.

For more information:
- BBB announcement on job scams 
- FBI Cyber Crime resource page