Associate Director, Research

Natera is seeking an accomplished Associate Director of Research to lead scientific innovation within the Molecular Biology Research team, part of the larger Molecular Biology, Informatics, and Statistics organization. In this impactful role, you will direct the research, optimization, and implementation of novel NGS-based assays that advance Natera’s oncology product pipeline and strategic collaborations. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in NGS assay development for oncology applications, a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, and a passion for translating cutting-edge research into clinically meaningful applications.

Primary Responsibilities:

Leadership and mentorship:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to align research programs with company goals and R&D priorities
• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth
• Champion best practices in experimental design, data analysis, and reproducibility

Research oversight:

• Define project scope, priorities, and resourcing in collaboration with senior leadership and cross-functional partners
• Oversee the design and execution of multiple research projects, ensuring scientific excellence and timely delivery
• Drive technology transfer of promising research prototypes into product development pipelines

Collaboration:

• Serve as the Molecular Biology Research lead on cross-functional core teams
• Partner with Product Management, Bioinformatics, MSLs, and Business Development to design and execute projects that support strategic partnerships

Innovation:

• Drive the ideation, development, and implementation of novel molecular biology tools, assays, and platforms
• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies and methodologies to expand research capabilities and efficiency

Communication:

• Present research strategy, progress, and outcomes to senior leadership, collaborators, and external partners
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, technical reports, and conference presentations

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Molecular Biology, Genomics, Biochemistry, or a closely related field
• Minimum 8 years of post-Ph.D. industry experience, including at least 3 years in technical team leadership or people management
• Proven record of leading cross-functional teams in NGS-based assay research, optimization, or product development

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Demonstrated success driving NGS-based assay research and new technology development for oncology applications 
• Expertise in NGS sequencing, cell-free DNA technologies, multi-omics, and molecular profiling approaches
• Strong track record of mentoring and developing Ph.D.-level scientists and fostering collaborative team environments
• Exceptional scientific communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic influence skills
• Working familiarity with NGS bioinformatics workflows and data interpretation
• Experience in research collaborations or strategic partnership projects preferred

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.San Carlos, CA $172,800—$215,950 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