[Hiring] Associate Director of Real-World Evidence & Observational Research @Natera

Role Description

We are seeking an Associate Director of Real-World Evidence & Observational Research to drive the execution of real-world evidence initiatives for our early cancer detection portfolio. This role is central to generating the evidence needed to support product adoption, inform clinical use, and demonstrate value to physicians and payers.

As a seasoned clinical research professional, you will contribute to both the strategy and execution of observational research across a defined product area. You will serve as the internal subject matter expert for RWE methodologies and execution—partnering across Clinical Science, Medical Affairs, Product, and Market Access to translate key questions into actionable evidence.

This is a highly cross-functional, hands-on role requiring strong scientific judgment, operational ownership, and the ability to balance rigor, speed, and business impact.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead Real-World Evidence Strategy & Execution
  • Lead the design and execution of real-world evidence studies, including retrospective database analyses and prospective observational studies.
  • Contribute to clinical evidence strategy for a defined product area, identifying where RWE can address key evidence gaps.
  • Translate clinical, scientific, and business questions into robust, decision-oriented study designs.
  • Proactively identify risks to study execution and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Lead protocol development, including objectives/endpoints, eligibility criteria, data collection approaches, and analysis plans.
  • Partner with biostatistics and data science to ensure high-quality data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
  • Drive medical data review, interpretation, and synthesis of findings.
• Turn Evidence into Decisions
  • Deliver clear, actionable insights that inform product strategy, clinical positioning, and market access.
  • Evaluate real-world product performance and identify opportunities to improve adoption, utilization, and outcomes.
  • Partner with Product and Medical Affairs to ensure real-world insights are fed back into product development.
• Shape and Prioritize Evidence Generation
  • Contribute to evidence planning by identifying where RWE can most effectively address key gaps.
  • Support prioritization of studies based on business impact, feasibility, and timing.
  • Ensure alignment between RWE, clinical studies, and broader evidence generation efforts.
• Enable External Impact
  • Support development of publications, abstracts, and presentations to communicate evidence externally.
  • Partner with Medical Affairs and Market Access to translate evidence into compelling narratives for clinicians, KOLs, and payers.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD, MPH, MS, PharmD, or equivalent) in epidemiology, health outcomes research, biostatistics, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of experience in real-world evidence, observational research, or HEOR, ideally in industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading the design and execution of observational studies across the full lifecycle (protocol through analysis and dissemination).
• Strong understanding of real-world data sources (claims, EHR, registries) and their application to clinical and business questions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in early cancer detection.
• HEOR experience.
• Experience working cross-functionally with product, medical, and commercial teams.
• Track record of translating analyses into business-relevant insights (not just publications).

Key Competencies

• Strong scientific and operational judgment across the full clinical evidence lifecycle.
• Ability to independently lead complex projects with limited oversight.
• Skilled at balancing scientific rigor, speed, and resource constraints.
• Effective at influencing cross-functional stakeholders and navigating ambiguity.
• Clear and compelling communicator across technical and non-technical audiences.

Benefits

• Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents.
• 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.
• Generous employee referral program.

Company Description

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.

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.