Research Associate 2

 POSITION SUMMARY:
As a Research Associate II, you will be part of a high performance, cross-disciplinary team developing new molecular and genetic diagnostic tests. You will design studies under guidance and be hands on in the lab to execute experiments to support product development, verification, and validation.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute experiments in the lab using a variety of molecular biology and general laboratory techniques as directed to prepare samples for Next Generation Sequencing.
• Analyze experimental data, derive conclusions, and discuss results with a multidisciplinary team including biologists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, software engineers and managers.
• Maintain a detailed and organized lab notebook.  Contribute insight toward experimental findings and trouble-shoot laboratory processes and protocols.
• Receive and process laboratory specimens following the standard methods and procedures with meticulous attention to detail.
• Track samples with use of LIMS, database queries, and advanced excel techniques; verify that correct specimens are being processed and analyzed.
• Be flexible to handle multiple tasks and priorities, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Employee must complete training relating to HIPAA/PHI privacy, General Policies and Procedure Compliance training and security training as soon as possible but not later than the first 30 days of hire.
• Track samples using LIMS and basic database queries.
• Recognize and escalate equipment and instrument malfunctions to appropriate personnel
• Write standard operating procedures (SOP) and other lab-related documents when necessary
• Produce competent, reproducible results to a high technical standard
• Maintain accurate and well-organized laboratory records, worksheets and notebooks
• Summarize data in spreadsheets, graphs and presentations
• Adhere to environmental, health and safety (EHS) guidelines and good laboratory practices (GLP)
• Perform other tasks as specified by the manager/director

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA in a biological science or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 year of Molecular Biology laboratory experience. 

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid techniques (DNA manipulation, PCR, qPCR, DNA quantitation and analysis by NanoDrop, Tapestation or BioAnalyzer).
• Experience with PCR library preparation for next generation sequencing and major sequencing platforms (Illumina, NovaSeq 6000/X is a plus)
• DNA isolation from biological samples.
• Experience with laboratory automation robotics platforms.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Effective communication skills, including gathering information from different team, communicating with suppliers, writing protocols, and summarizing results in a report or presentation.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite of programs, especially Word and Excel applications
• Self-driven and strong team player with proven track record

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Duties are typically performed in a laboratory setting.
• This position requires the ability to perform repetitive motions during pipetting and samples processing.
• This position requires the ability to use a computer keyboard, communicate over the telephone and read printed material.
• Duties may require working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends) at times.

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Driven by the passion for elevating the science and utility of genetic testing, Natera is committed to helping families identify and manage genetic diseases. Natera is a rapidly-growing diagnostics company with proprietary bioinformatics and molecular technology for analyzing DNA. Our complex technology has been proven clinically and commercially in the prenatal testing space and we are actively researching its applications in the liquid biopsy space for developing products with oncology applications.

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.

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