Key skills
RAIMLLeadershipProject ManagementRisk ManagementBudgetingCommunication
About this role
Role Overview
- Lead translational functional validation for Natera’s Therapeutics & Innovations group.
- Direct external Contract Research Organization (CRO) and academic partnerships for functional validation, including immunogenicity, Mechanism of Action (MOA), and T-cell assays.
- Define experimental strategies, frameworks, and govern partner performance through rigorous statements of work (SOWs) and budgets.
- Direct immune functional assays and lead the experimental validation of targets and biomarkers identified by AI/ML platforms using patient-derived samples.
- Incorporate high-throughput screening to validate drug-target interactions.
- Think team by partnering directly with R&D, Clinical Development, and Regulatory to align assay outputs with milestones.
- Build a scalable external network across immunology and tumor biology.
- Deliver unvarnished, data-backed updates to leadership, translating complex results into direct, actionable program recommendations.
- Mentor scientific staff and contractors.
Requirements
- PhD (or equivalent) in Immunology, Biology, Pharmacology, or a related field, with 8+ years of post-graduate experience in biotech, pharma, or translational academic settings; or an MS with 12+ years of directly relevant experience.
- Proven track record of managing complex external research programs and building translational research capabilities.
- Deep expertise in immuno-oncology, immune functional assays, and mechanistic evaluation.
- Experience with high-dimensional data (e.g., single-cell sequencing) to validate AI-driven insights.
- Strong project management capabilities spanning scoping, budgeting, and risk management across parallel studies.
- Experience with assay development, transfer, and reproducibility best practices, treating quality as a standard.
- Clear communication skills to influence cross-functional teams and external partners.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents.
- Free testing for Natera employees and their immediate families.
- Fertility care benefits.
- Pregnancy and baby bonding leave.
- 401k benefits.
- Commuter benefits.
- Generous employee referral program.