Associate Scientist R&D

natera

South San Francisco

Posted Jul 16, 2026

Other
Hybrid
Platform

Job description

Natera is seeking a skilled and motivated Associate Scientist to join the R&D Platform team, focusing on building scalable assays to advance our product portfolio. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience with NGS technologies and automated platforms. Candidates will apply their expertise to assess new scientific opportunities and contribute to developing state-of-the-art genomic tests for oncology treatment and monitoring applications.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Independently design experimental plans and execute laboratory experiments of a defined scope such as analyte extractions, next-generation library preparation, hybrid capture and sequencing.
Collaborate with project teams to design, develop, and validate assays for commercial launch.
Contribute insights toward experimental findings and troubleshoot laboratory processes and protocols.
Perform basic data analysis.
Communicate and discuss results with a multidisciplinary team including biologists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, software engineers and managers.
Document protocols, SOPs, and scientific reports under a Quality Management System.
Perform other duties as assigned.

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:

Expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA/RNA molecular biology, including DNA/RNA extraction from tissue and biofluids, library preparation, hybrid capture, qPCR, and multiplex PCR.
Proficiency in basic data and statistical analysis using tools such as R, JMP, or Excel.
Demonstrated success in applying independent scientific judgment in experimental design and analysis.
Experience in optimizing laboratory methodologies and troubleshooting complex problems.
Strong communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, and time management skills.
Must be able to handle manual work/pipetting involving high throughput sample testing.
Experience in writing clear plans, reports and SOPs.
Experience in oncology, solid tumor and liquid biopsy, transplant, or NIPT research is a plus.
Experience in programming and operating liquid handlers is a plus.
Experience in programming languages such as python or R is a plus.

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

$89,900—$112,350 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