Natera is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Director to join our Research Team within the Data Science Group. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in machine learning, data science, statistical modeling, bioinformatics, and genetic research, along with experience in the full life cycle of product development and demonstrated leadership capabilities. This role involves overseeing research projects, guiding a team of data scientists, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and excellence in our genetic testing solutions.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership and Management: Lead and mentor a team of data scientists and researchers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment. Provide strategic direction and ensure alignment with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Research Oversight: Oversee the design, execution, and analysis of research projects, ensuring the use of advanced machine learning and statistical modeling techniques. Ensure scientific rigor and integrity in all research activities.
• Project Management: Manage multiple research projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budgets. Coordinate with other departments to align research efforts with business objectives.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including bioinformatics, clinical, and product development, to integrate research findings into product offerings. Foster partnerships with external researchers and institutions.
• Innovation: Stay abreast of the latest developments in data science, genetics, machine learning, and statistical modeling. Drive the adoption of new methodologies and technologies to enhance research capabilities.
• Communication: Present research findings to internal and external stakeholders. Prepare scientific publications, proposals, and reports.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field (e.g., Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Engineering), or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science research, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Experience in women's health diagnostic testing is a significant plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge and practical experience in machine learning and statistical modeling, including:
  • Designing and building predictive models using supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning techniques with genetic data.
  • Developing models using deep learning approaches.
  • Applying quantitative modeling and statistical analysis to complex biological data.
  • Optimizing machine learning algorithms for performance.
• Experience with large-scale data and cloud-based environments.
• Proficiency in Python and open-source machine learning libraries.
• Strong understanding of genetic data, bioinformatics pipelines, and interpretability of models.
• Familiarity with automation of model pipelines.
• Proven ability to apply mathematical principles to solve real-world problems and deliver practical solutions.
• Experience with assay development and analysis pipelines for molecular and clinical biomarkers.
• Proven leadership skills, with a track record of managing and mentoring research teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams and build productive partnerships.

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