Senior/Lead Bioinformatics Scientist (Multi-Cancer Early Detection)

Natera
San Carlos, CA

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have experience with multi-modal epigenomic data analysis and a background in cancer genomics.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a track record in high-throughput sequencing and a background in cancer diagnostics
    — “Track record developing and validating analysis workflows for high-throughput sequencing data”
  • Individuals who have worked with cell-free DNA and liquid biopsy samples in clinical settings
    — “Experience with cell-free DNA and liquid biopsy samples”
  • Professionals fluent in Python and cloud environments with a focus on reproducible methods
    — “Software development experience, including proficiency in Python and its scientific computing ecosystem”
  • Scientists who have driven research from prototype to clinical validation
    — “drive new methods from prototype, through scalable implementation, toward clinical validation”

Things to consider

  • The position requires a strong background in both statistical and machine learning methods
    — “Experience applying and evaluating statistical and ML methods to large datasets”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your experience with epigenomic data analysis and its clinical applications
    — “Develop and validate new algorithms to analyze large multimodal epigenomic datasets”
  • Showcase your ability to implement and improve analysis pipelines for genomic data
    — “Drive research analyses through implementation, testing and performance evaluation”
  • Emphasize your communication skills with non-technical audiences in your work history
    — “Visualize results and present complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences”
  • Demonstrate your fluency in Linux and cloud environments with concrete examples
    — “Fluent using Linux command-line tools and cloud computing environments”
  • Show how you have contributed to code quality and reproducibility in prior roles
    — “Contribute to the team’s standards for code quality and reproducibility”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • developed new algorithms
  • improved data integrity
  • collaborated with scientists
Typical background
PhD in Bioinformaticsexperience in genomics

Skills & requirements

Required

BioinformaticsAlgorithm DevelopmentData AnalysisEpigenomic Data HandlingStatistical Methods

Preferred

AI ToolsCancer Genomics

Stack & domain

PythonBioinformaticsAIMLStatisticsProblem-solvingTeamworkCommunicationGenomicsCancer Detection

About the role

Original posting from Natera via Greenhouse

Natera’s Research team is building tests that can detect many cancers from a single blood draw. We are looking for a Senior or Lead Bioinformatics Scientist to join the team building the technology at the heart of that effort. You will work with large-scale, multi-modal genomic datasets from clinical cohorts and partner closely with molecular biologists and clinical scientists. You will help advance the state-of-the-art and drive new methods from prototype, through scalable implementation, toward clinical validation and, ultimately, to patients.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and validate new algorithms to analyze large multimodal epigenomic datasets

Drive research analyses through implementation, testing and performance evaluation, including developing new features within existing pipelines

Work with sequencing and clinical data from large cohorts, ensuring data integrity and quality control

Partner with molecular biologists and clinical scientists to solve challenging, open-ended problems

Visualize results and present complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences

Contribute to the team’s standards for code quality and reproducibility

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Biology, or a related field; alternatively a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with at least 4 years of professional experience

Track record developing and validating analysis workflows for high-throughput sequencing data

Experience applying and evaluating statistical and ML methods to large datasets

Strong quantitative reasoning and data analysis skills, applied effectively to real scientific problems.

Software development experience, including proficiency in Python and its scientific computing ecosystem

Fluent using Linux command-line tools and cloud computing environments

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Experience

Working knowledge of DNA methylation and other epigenomic data

Experience with cell-free DNA and liquid biopsy samples

Background in cancer genomics or diagnostics

Experience working with data and metadata from large clinical cohorts

Familiarity using AI tools for complex scientific tasks and with foundation models applied to biological data

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 $131,000—$180,000 USDOUR 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 

Source: Natera careers (Greenhouse)

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