Principal Clinical Scientist, ECD

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a Principal Clinical Scientist to lead execution of key components of clinical development for our early cancer detection (ECD) program. This role is central to leading study execution, clinical data review, study design, and generation of scientific insights across multiple studies. The successful candidate will contribute meaningfully to clinical development strategy through hands-on study leadership, cross-functional execution, and data-driven decision-making.

You will serve as a clinical science lead within cross-functional teams—partnering closely with Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Medical Affairs, and Regulatory to drive study execution, identify risks and opportunities, and contribute to clinical development strategy through study-level leadership and scientific insight.

This role is best suited for a clinical scientist who enjoys remaining closely involved in study execution, clinical data review, and cross-functional problem solving while contributing to broader clinical development discussions and strategy.

Location: San Carlos, CA or Remote, USA (West Coast or Mountain time zones preferred)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead Clinical Development & Study Design

• Lead substantial aspects of ECD clinical studies or multiple studies
• Drive study design, including objectives, endpoints, eligibility criteria, and schedules of assessments
• Author and review protocols, ICFs, CRFs, and study documents
• Contribute meaningfully to clinical development strategy and study-level decision-making
• Contribute to process improvements and development of best practices

Drive Data Review & Strategic Insight

• Lead medical and clinical data review to ensure data quality and integrity
• Analyze complex datasets to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Translate data into actionable insights that inform study and program decisions
• Partner with safety and medical teams on signal detection and escalation

Lead Cross-Functional Execution

• Own day-to-day clinical science responsibilities across assigned studies
• Drive resolution of study-level issues, risks, and operational challenges
• Partner closely with Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, and Biostatistics to monitor study conduct, data quality, enrollment performance, and milestone delivery
• Make study-level decisions and recommendations in ambiguous situations with limited oversight
• Represent Clinical Science in internal and external forums (e.g., investigators, KOLs)

Drive Study Performance & Program Value

• Prioritize activities across studies to ensure quality, timelines, and program impact
• Actively monitor study conduct, enrollment performance, protocol compliance, and clinical data quality across studies
• Identify operational risks early and implement corrective actions to maintain study timelines and quality

Advance Scientific Communication

• Lead development of abstracts, presentations, and manuscripts
• Translate clinical and statistical results into clear scientific narratives
• Support internal decision-making and external evidence generation

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent; MS, MPH, RN with experience considered)
• 8+ years of experience in clinical research, clinical science, or related field
• Strong experience leading clinical studies and contributing to study design
• Demonstrated experience leading and executing clinical studies, including clinical data review, study-level decision making, issue management, and cross-functional coordination

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in oncology, diagnostics, or early cancer detection
• Experience working across multiple studies or programs
• Track record of scientific publications and conference presentations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to lead complex clinical studies or multiple workstreams independently
• Ability to balance scientific rigor with pragmatic decision-making in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ownership mindset with willingness to operate outside traditional functional boundaries when needed to advance study and program goals
• Strong analytical skills with ability to synthesize complex data into decisions
• Effective influencer across functions and senior stakeholders
• Excellent scientific communication skills

The pay range is listed and actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations.

Remote USA

$187,800—$234,800 USD

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

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: -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