[Hiring] Senior Director, AI Diagnostics @Natera

Role Description

Natera is hiring a Senior Director to lead the research, development and clinical translation of AI and computational algorithms for oncology diagnostics, from research prioritization through validation, deployment, and ongoing performance monitoring. This role turns data into multimodal AI products that change how oncologists treat patients.

We are looking for a scientific leader with a compelling vision for how foundation models can advance oncology diagnostics. You will:

• Shape our foundation model strategy by identifying high-value opportunities in longitudinal molecular, imaging, and clinical data.
• Define the capabilities we need to build and guide their translation into clinically useful products.
• Lead an established algorithm team, develop its technical and leadership capabilities, and recruit talent aligned with the product roadmap.
• Set strategy with Product and other partners to decide which opportunities move toward clinical deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and lead the team:
  • Grow the existing algorithm research team, hire key talent, and set a high bar for scientific rigor and execution.
• Own the path from research to launch:
  • Establish development milestones and evidence-based go/no-go criteria from feasibility through validation and launch.
  • Ensure clear ownership, reproducible analyses, and documented decisions.
• Set strategy with Product:
  • Partner with Product, Clinical, and Commercial leaders to prioritize clinical use cases.
  • Define intended use and success criteria, and make investment, continuation, and stop decisions based on evidence, feasibility, and clinical and business value.
• Push the technical frontier:
  • Bring in foundation models and multimodal deep learning.
  • Turn our data into products that set us apart from competitors.
• Deliver with quality:
  • Ensure every algorithm is built on clean data, validated rigorously, and monitored after launch.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Machine Learning, Biostatistics, or a related quantitative field. A Master’s degree with substantial additional experience will be considered.
• Substantial experience developing computational products, including sustained leadership of multidisciplinary teams and ownership of complex development programs through clinical deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to define and advance a foundation model research strategy, grounded in a deep understanding of representation learning, pretraining, adaptation, and evaluation.
• Accountability for taking at least one AI/ML or computational algorithm from research through validation and clinical deployment within a diagnostic product.
• Strong understanding of analytical and clinical validation for regulated diagnostics, including what regulators expect from AI-based products.
• Depth in at least one oncology data modality, such as NGS, liquid biopsy, transcriptomics, or whole-slide imaging.
• Demonstrated experience managing people managers and developing technical leaders.
• Experience overseeing algorithm deployment and lifecycle management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building models that combine two or more data types, such as genomics, imaging, and clinical data.
• Evidence of contribution through deployed products, patents, publications, or substantive collaborations.
• Experience evaluating or co-developing algorithms with academic groups, pharma, or tech partners.
• Experience building or leading the adoption of MLOps, model registries, or large-scale training environments.
• Experience working with claims, EHR, or registry data linked to outcomes.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents.
• Free testing for Natera employees and their immediate families, in addition to fertility care benefits.
• Pregnancy and baby bonding leave.
• 401k benefits and commuter benefits.
• A 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 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, being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.