Lead Medical Lab Scientist

Company: Natera
Location: Austin
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description POSITION SUMMARY: The Medical Lab Scientist, Lead is a member of the Operations Department responsible for processing and analyzing specimens and maintaining equipment in good condition. This individual collaborates with a team of CLSs and laboratory personnel to process samples and perform any troubleshooting as needed. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Performs testing and/or analysis of clinical laboratory specimens with little to no errors by performing automated and manual steps of the assay • Participates in validations • Train on specialized instructions for instruments/protocols • Recognizes and escalates equipment malfunctions; troubleshoots common errors • Recognizes, documents, and escalates protocol deviations in lab to lead/supervisor • Participates in the updating of departmental standard operating procedures and database to accurately reflect the current practices. • Performs quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of clinical data (if applicable) • Assists teammates in completing daily tasks • Assists with experimental data review (as needed). • May serve as an SME within the department and conduct presentations • Participates in Projects and initiatives initiated by the department/external departments • Assists lead/supervisor in training new hires and/or assists lead and supervisor in training and implementation of new process changes (as needed) • Go-to person when lead/supervisor is not available. • Trains new hires with the current lab processes and assists supervisor in training/implementation of new process changes. • Expert in the entire lab process, able to identify/troubleshoot issues before they arise. • Performs and completes independent continuous improvement project Yellow Belt or higher • Assists in planning workflow • Efficiently work intra and inter-departmentally to provide support and solutions for workflow. • Assist with internal audits and inspection preparation, as needed. • Exercise judgment on clinical decisions where appropriate • Assists supervisor in completing side projects assigned by the manager • Assist Supervisor in ensuring new laboratory changes are implemented properly on the laboratory floor • Proactively seek and lead areas of laboratory improvement with management approval • Investigate/follows up on lab errors (NCR). • Assists manager with completion/review of regular competency assessments • Expert of the entire lab process, able to identify/troubleshoot issues before they arise. • Performs and completes independent continuous improvement project Yellow Belt or higher • Efficiently work intra and inter-departmentally to provide support and solutions for workflow. • Provides feedback during performance evaluations for team members • Assists manager in initiating and completing CAPAs • Collaborates with Manager to resolve personnel issues • Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: • 4 years of experience as a Medical Technologist or equivalent in a clinical laboratory environment. • A bachelor's, or higher, degree in medical technology or laboratory science or a bachelor's, or higher, degree in one of the chemical, physical, or biological sciences • Current MT/MDxT/CLS/MB certification from ASCP, AMT or AAB is required •A copy of the degree is required upon time of hire. Degrees must be from the US or equivalent. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: • Excellent interpersonal, communication, computer, troubleshooting, and pipetting skills. • Experience in Molecular Biology. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Word processing and data management skills. PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT: • This position requires the ability to use a computer keyboard, communicate over the telephone and read printed material. • Duties may require working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends) at times. • Duties typically performed in BSL-2 lab • Standing or sitting for long periods of time may be necessary • Must be able to lift boxes or supplies up to 35lbs • Duties require wearing safety goggles, gloves, and laboratory coat. • Duties require exposure to cold air due to frequent accessing of refrigeration and/or freezer units. OUR OPPORTUNITY 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. WHAT WE OFFER 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! For more information, visit www.natera.com. 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. 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. If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. Link: https://www.natera.com/notice -of-data-collection-california-residents/ Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com 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. For more information: - BBB announcement on job scams - FBI Cyber Crime resource page

Keywords: Natera, Temple , Lead Medical Lab Scientist, Science, Research & Development , Austin, Texas