Staff Scientist, Research Epigenomics

Natera is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Staff Scientist to join our Molecular Biology Research Team. The Staff Scientist will conduct new product research to develop/refine methylation-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies that advance Natera’s oncology diagnostic capabilities. In this role, you will independently lead projects to design, prototype, and optimize novel NGS methods and collaborate cross-functionally to move concepts from ideation to implementation. A successful candidate must have a strong background in molecular biology and/or chemistry, substantial experience with NGS-based methylation detection, and a track record of successful research leadership in an industrial setting.

Primary Responsibilities:

Lead and manage the development of innovative NGS-based diagnostic assays from feasibility through optimization.

Define project goals and plans with input from stakeholders and manage multiple project streams in parallel.

Independently design and execute complex laboratory experiments; analyze and interpret results to guide research direction.

Coordinate cross-functional efforts to meet milestones and collaborate closely with bioinformatics, statistics, and data science teams to ensure robust experimental design and data analysis.

Mentor and guide junior scientists while promoting scientific rigor and best practices.

Author high-quality protocols, technical reports, and study documentation.

Communicate progress regularly to stakeholders, including departmental meetings and senior leadership.

Contribute to risk management, strategy development, and continuous improvement of scientific workflows.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. in molecular biology, genomics, or a closely related field.

Minimum 8 years of relevant industry experience, or 2+ years postdoctoral research with 6+ years in industry.

Proven experience in designing and advancing NGS-based diagnostics, preferably in the field of oncology.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Extensive hands-on experience with NGS platforms, including sample prep, library prep, target enrichment (e.g., multiplex PCR, hybrid capture), and sequencing.

Strong understanding of molecular biology techniques related to DNA/RNA manipulation and epigenomics/methylation detection.

Proficient in statistical analysis tools such as Excel, JMP, R, or Python; familiarity with bioinformatics workflows is a plus.

Ability to translate complex biological questions into actionable experiments and scalable solutions.

Experience writing study plans, SOPs, and detailed reports.

Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.

Demonstrated ability to lead projects and contribute strategically to a team-driven research environment.

Up-to-date knowledge of developments in oncology and genomic technologies.