Lead Bioinformatics & Machine Learning Scientist

Natera is seeking a Lead Bioinformatics & Machine Learning Scientist to join our Bioinformatics Research team and help build the machine learning models behind Natera's tissue-free, methylation-based assay. These will be the models that detect cancer in the minimal residual disease (MRD) setting and help inform treatment selection. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in algorithm development, genomics, sequencing data processing, and applied machine learning.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, train, and evaluate machine learning models, driving algorithm design decisions that support cancer detection in the MRD setting.
• Own end-to-end research analyses, from ideation through implementation (scripts and notebooks), troubleshooting, and performance evaluation, including developing new features within existing pipelines.
• Translate between wet-lab experimental design and computational analysis, navigating ambiguity as assay requirements evolve and maintaining rigorous quality control across high-volume sequencing data spanning multiple cohorts, vendors, and clinical protocols.
• Communicate findings and model performance to both technical and cross-functional stakeholders, and contribute to establishing standards for code quality and reproducibility.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related quantitative field with a strong emphasis on cancer epi/genomics and 4 to 8+ years of experience post-PhD.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep theoretical and practical understanding of high-throughput DNA sequence data analysis, including mapping, sequence alignment, and variant calling workflows.
• Experience in algorithm development and data analysis, including applying and evaluating statistical methods.
• Demonstrated experience in developing core ML models, including generalized linear models, kernel methods, tree-based algorithms, and neural networks, with a focus on biological data (e.g., DNA sequencing data)
• Strong quantitative reasoning and data analysis skills, with a demonstrated ability to apply them effectively to relevant scientific problems.
• Experience with Python and Linux command-line tools, including writing shell scripts. Strong computational and programming skills, including thorough experience with Python statistical packages (NumPy, Matplotlib, Pandas).
• Familiarity with public databases such as TCGA, COSMIC, or OncoKB.
• Ability to visualize findings and summarize results in oral and written form for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• High scientific rigor, with eagerness to teach and learn new computational methods and biology.
• Ability to work on a cross-functional team in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with both computational and experimental scientists.

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

$172,000—$214,000 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