Director, Translational Sciences

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY: Lead translational functional validation for Natera’s Therapeutics & Innovations group. You will direct external Contract Research Organization (CRO) and academic partnerships to advance our immuno-oncology therapies, generating the decision-enabling data needed to move from pre-clinical research to clinical impact. Every sample represents a real person, and the data you generate will directly shape therapeutic development. While initial work relies on external partners, you will evaluate the 'build vs. buy' roadmap and take ownership of building Natera’s internal translational research capabilities over time. QUALIFICATIONS: - Own the external pre-clinical research model, leading 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; use data to identify risks and take ownership of corrective actions - Direct immune functional assays and lead the experimental validation of targets and biomarkers identified by AI/ML platforms using patient-derived samples - Inco...