Staff Scientist, Bioinformatics/RWD

Natera is seeking an innovative and driven bioinformatics scientist to lead and conduct cutting-edge real-world evidence (RWE) analyses and predictive analytics across oncology, organ health, and women’s health datasets. This unique role blends expertise in bioinformatics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the manipulation of complex real-world data (RWD). Candidate will leverage advanced AI methodologies to extract actionable clinical insights from vast multimodal datasets (genomics, clinical, demographic), driving impactful data visualization and advancing our application of genomics in a real-world clinical setting. The ideal candidate should have strong project management skills, and a keen eye for visualizing complex data in an impactful way to advance our understanding and application of genomics in a real-world setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Bioinformatics  & Genomic Analysis: Lead the analysis of large-scale cancer and germline multi-omics datasets to extract meaningful insights. Utilize and augment traditional bioinformatics tools with AI-driven techniques to interpret genomic data within the context of RWE studies
• RWD/RWE Analysis: Lead the extraction, curation, and analysis of large-scale RWD sources, including Electronic Health Records (EHR), claims data, and patient registries. Design and execute robust RWE studies to support clinical, commercial, and regulatory objectives.
• Data Integration and Management: Facilitate the integration of omics data with other types of data (clinical, demographic, etc.) to enrich the analyses. Manage large datasets and ensure data integrity and confidentiality.
• AI & Predictive Analytics: Develop, train, and deploy advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning models (e.g., Deep Learning, NLP, ensemble methods) to forecast trends, patient outcomes, and biomarker discovery using RWD and genomics data. Apply state-of-the-art AI frameworks to identify hidden patterns that inform clinical decision-making and product strategy.
• Unstructured Data Integration: Facilitate the integration of highly complex, multimodal datasets. Utilize NLP and LLMs to extract valuable structured insights from unstructured clinical notes, pathology reports, and other disparate RWD sources. Manage large datasets while ensuring strict data integrity and confidentiality.
• Project Management: Oversee and manage RWD and genomics projects from inception to completion. Ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet high-quality standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments such as R&D, Data Science, Business Development, Medical Affairs, Product Management, and Engineering to integrate genomics and clinical data into broader research and development initiatives.
• Reporting and Communication: Present complex RWE data and analyses in a clear and comprehensible manner to a variety of audiences, including non-experts. Prepare detailed reports and publications.
• Innovation and Development: Stay abreast of the latest developments in genomics and bioinformatics. Propose and develop new methods and technologies for advanced data analysis.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with key stakeholders to define project goals, report progress, and discuss findings. Act as a liaison between the technical team and non-technical stakeholders.

Desired qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics, or a related field
• At least 10 years of relevant experience 
• Proven expertise in bioinformatics, particularly in genomics data analysis. Demonstrated expertise in cancer genomics, including genomic alterations, molecular pathways, and cancer biology
• Expert knowledge of bioinformatics tools including mapping, variant calling, CNV analysis and statistical methods
• Strong experience in managing, querying, and analyzing massive-scale genomic and healthcare datasets using SQL, Python, or R, and data visualization tools
• Additional expertise in germline genetics, particularly in relation to organ health and prenatal health, is a significant plus.
• AI/ML Expertise: Proficiency in predictive analytics, advanced machine learning, deep learning, and statistical modeling. Strong hands-on experience with AI frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, etc.
• Understanding of real-world clinical data, such as electronic health records, claims data, patient registries, health surveys. Familiarity with common data models (e.g., OMOP) and experience utilizing NLP/LLM to parse unstructured clinical data. 
• Ability to interpret clinical endpoints, understand patient cohorts, and collaborate with clinical stakeholders
• Knowledge of translational medicine and/or early discovery in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry is a plus
• Excellent project management skills with a proven track record in leading successful projects
• Experience managing one or more direct/indirect reports.
• Exceptional communication skills, demonstrating the ability to translate complex models and RWD findings to both technical and clinical/non-technical stakeholders. Ability to produce high quality written documentation for varying audiences
• Proven experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including clinicians, scientists, biostatisticians, regulatory and stakeholders.

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 $158,000—$197,500 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