Lead Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Scientist

<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>LOCATION:</strong> Position is available as a hybrid position in San Carlos, Bay Area, California as well as a remote position within the US.</span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Natera is currently seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Machine Learning Scientist to contribute to cutting-edge research and development within our Bioinformatics Research and Development team, focused on Epigenomics in Oncology. Natera’s mission is to change the management of disease worldwide by using information gained from a simple blood draw to detect disease early and proactively inform treatment.&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The ideal candidate will have a strong background in machine learning and statistical pattern recognition, as well as genomics and sequencing data analysis, with experience applying both classical and modern machine learning methods to large-scale biological data. This individual will play a critical role in developing, validating, and advancing state-of-the-art machine learning approaches for cancer detection and monitoring.</span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:</span></strong></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Design, implement, and validate cutting-edge machine learning and statistical methods to solve problems in cancer diagnostics</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Contribute to best practices in model interpretability, uncertainty estimation, and reproducibility</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Design robust feature engineering and extraction pipelines tailored to biological data&nbsp;</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Prototype and productionize models using scalable ML infrastructure tools such as MLflow, Airflow, and Docker</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Collaborate closely with molecular biologists on experimental design, ensuring data integrity and quality control</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Actively participate in code and design reviews</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">QUALIFICATIONS:</span></strong></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field with a strong emphasis on cancer epi/genomics and 6+ years of experience post-PhD.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Deep expertise in the theory and practical development of core machine learning models, including generalized linear models, kernel methods, tree-based algorithms, and neural networks, with a focus on biological data (e.g., DNA/RNA sequencing data)</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Proficiency in Python and its scientific computing stack (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn)</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Strong cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">High scientific rigor and a growth mindset, with enthusiasm for both teaching and learning new computational and biological concepts</span></span></p> </li> <li><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Nice to have: </strong>Experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX; familiarity with LLM-specific tools such as LangChain; and experience deploying models via platforms like Hugging Face</span></span></li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Nice to have:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Hands-on experience with state-of-the-art deep learning models, large language models (LLMs), and multimodal foundation models</span></span></p> </li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Compensation &amp; Total Rewards&nbsp;</span></strong></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably&nbsp;expect to offer at the time of&nbsp; hire.&nbsp;Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000;">This position&nbsp;is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through&nbsp;Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:</span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Annual performance incentive bonus</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Long-term equity awards</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;">401(k) with company match</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Generous paid time off and company holidays</span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Additional wellness and work-life benefits</span></p> </li> </ul> <p></p></div><div class="title">Compensation Range </div><div class="pay-range"><span>$144,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$180,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p><strong>OUR OPPORTUNITY</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>WHAT WE OFFER</strong></p> <p>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!</p> <p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.natera.com/" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.natera.com/">www.natera.com</a>.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><em>If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.&nbsp;</em></p> <p>Link: <a href="https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents" target="_blank">https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/</a></p> <p>Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @<a href="http://natera.com/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://natera.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1657718972773000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3zRwaIiu7070kJKNG4hjRm">natera.com</a>&nbsp;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.</p> <p>For more information:<br>- <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/12261-bbb-tip-employment-scams" target="_blank">BBB announcement on job scams</a>&nbsp;<br>- <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber" target="_blank">FBI Cyber Crime resource page</a>&nbsp;</p></div>