Jobs / United States / Natera INC
Senior Scientist, R&D Assay Development
Natera INC · 🇺🇸 Austin, TX
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two — worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 48 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 12 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Natera INC paid sponsored hires in similar roles1 certified filing for “Lead Medical Lab Scientist” (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists) in TX: $71k–$71k, median $71k. Most were filed at wage level IV (100%) — 4 lottery entries, ≈61% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
A verdict summarises public evidence; it is not legal advice and never a guarantee — the employer and the immigration authority decide. Sign in to factor in where you can already work.
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Sponsor Radar — Natera INC
The US Department of Labor certified 48 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 12 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Natera INC →
About the role
POSITION SUMMARY: Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. We measure fetal, tumor, or donor cfDNA at the molecular level to help inform personalized health care decisions with a non-invasive test. The Natera R&D Department is looking for a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join the rapidly growing assay development team to help build the future of Natera. In this position, you will be an integral part of high-performing teams across functions to develop laboratory tests that positively impact the business and our patients. A successful candidate will have a deep understanding of molecular biology, strong scientific curiosity and high level of expertise of developing and validating assays through product development cycles. You will lead and support dedicated junior scientists and laboratory technicians to plan, execute and manage scientific studies under design control in a regulated environment to help improve and expand Natera's state-of-the-art product portfolios. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Design development, verification, and validation studies with stakeholder input and coordinate efforts to achieve milestones within established timelines • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, such as automation, engineering, R&D, bioinformatics, and lab operations, to develop robust, automated workflows • Lead the integration testing of automated workflows with software LIMS systems. Support the design and execution of integration testing to ensure data integrity between automation and digital systems • Plan, execute, analyze and present data for moderate to high complexity experiments with hands-on work on troubleshooting • Identify the root cause of problems and develop solutions to resolve problems effectively • Perform basic data analysis (e.g. Excel, JMP) and comfortable to utilize AI agents like Gemini and Claude. Coordinate the analysis of studies with biostatistics and bioinformatics teams • Provide regular updates at project team and departmental meetings on project progress, outcomes, and next steps to ensure alignment and transparency • Author and review SOPs, study reports, and transfer documents for production implementation • Train team members on new SOPs and automated workflows • Provide support to lab operations, including troubleshooting and providing technical guidance • Be flexible to handle multiple tasks and priorities, and perform other duties as assigned QUALIFICATIONS: • Typically requires a university degree and a minimum of 8+ years of related experience or a MS degree and 6 years of related experience or a PhD and 4 years of related experience • Knowledge of high throughput NGS workflows or other genetic testing applications in clinical settings • Experience in developing and validating molecular assays for CLIA lab testing • Experience with automation of molecular workflows or assay transfer to automated platforms • Experience in managing responsibilities across more than 1 project • Must possess very strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills • A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and demonstrated success in collaborative and individual projects DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: • Advanced technical proficiency in: • Standard and long-range PCR techniques, including primer design and optimization. • NGS technologies (e.g., Illumina, PacBio). • qPCR, ddPCR, and multiplex PCR. • Knowledge of design verification/validation processes compliant with the U.S. and E.U. regulatory standards • Exceptional communication and presentation skills with meticulous attention to detail • A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and demonstrated success in collaborative and individual projects The pay range is listed and actual compensation pa