Natera
OpenStaff Scientist, R&D (Women's Health)
- Location
- San Carlos, CA
- Posted
- Jul 29, 2026
- Last seen
- Aug 7, 2026
About the role
We are looking for an inquisitive and creative Staff Scientist to initiate, direct, and execute pre-product scientific research with an emphasis in Women’s Health. This Staff Scientist will investigate the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions, products and problem solving. The ideal candidate will have broad knowledge of state-of-the-art molecular biology principles, with hands-on experience in next-generation DNA/RNA sequencing, nucleic acid technologies, multiomics, molecular diagnostics development, and/or proteomics.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Contributes substantially and intellectually to research and development
• Independently leads projects to create and develop novel nucleic acid based diagnostic tests; including planning, feasibility testing, protocol development, and optimization
• Responsible for executing projects as per associated timelines and deliverables
• Thoroughly comprehends the objectives and vision of the work
• Develops plans, generates and advances new ideas
• Performs basic data analysis, including statistics
• Independently designs and executes moderate to high complexity experiments
• Coordinates the execution and analysis of effective experiments with statistics and bioinformatics teams
• Ability to work cross-functionally with statistics, bioinformatics, product development, and project management teams
• Documents research progress under a Quality Management System
• May manage Research Associates
• May work with partners and outside collaborators
• Communicates progress directly with colleagues and senior management
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ph.D. in molecular biology or closely related field
• Minimum of 8 years of industry experience or 2 years of post-doctoral research + 6 years of industry experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Must have experience with designing, executing, and analyzing data on next generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA/RNA molecular biology experiments
• Experience developing tests in NIPT and/or liquid biopsy highly desirable
• Experience with nucleic acid technologies relating to PCR, multiplex PCR, qPCR, and digital droplet PCR.
• Multiomics, epigenetic/methylation, target enrichment, cfDNA/RNA experience is a plus.
• Experience in women’s health molecular diagnostics is highly desirable.
• 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.
