Senior Clinical Scientist, Oncology - Natera

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a Senior Clinical Scientist, Oncology to drive clinical development strategy and trial execution for our molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring portfolio. This ownership role applies oncology domain expertise to integrate our tumor-informed cfDNA platform into standard-of-care clinical protocols. As a clinical trial lead, you will design and execute MRD study protocols that outpace the competitive landscape by substituting clinical assumptions with empirical validation data. You will operate cross-functionally across medical, commercial, and biostatistics lines to eliminate operational latency and advance trial performance.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Study Concept and Protocol Development

• Author robust trial concepts, specifying clinical design parameters, schedules of assessments, objectives, endpoints, and patient eligibility criteria
• Synthesize protocol requirements from investigators, clinical partners, and regulatory bodies, resolving conflicting operational priorities by anchoring team alignment strictly in data
• Write complex study protocols and deliver technical documentation to resolve health authority queries precisely and rapidly
• Deliver technical protocol validation and design training modules for internal teams and contract research organizations (CROs)

Operational Trial Alignment

• Partner with Clinical Operations to configure study-specific case report forms (CRFs) and drive protocol conformity during user acceptance testing
• Author technical sections of CRF completion guidelines and verify that study manuals align directly with trial protocol specifications
• Lead technical data exchanges during investigator meetings, pre-site selection reviews, and site initiation visits to maximize protocol compliance
• Serve as the authoritative Clinical Science representative across internal study team gates and external clinical collaborations

Data Review and Medical Communications

• Execute real-time clinical trial data reviews and manage data integrity validation loops across internal assets and CRO partners
• Build technical presentation materials and deliver data assets to steering committees, advisory boards, and scientific consultants
• Collaborate with Medical Directors and Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to translate raw trial evidence into technical data sheets, conference abstracts, and peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Present clinical evidence, poster data, and validation metrics at scientific oncology meetings and medical conferences (<10% travel)

Compliance and Operational Standard

• Manage protected health information (PHI) securely across physical and electronic tracking systems in absolute compliance with data privacy mandates
• Complete mandatory privacy, HIPAA compliance, and institutional data security protocols within the first 30 days of onboarding
• Maintain active status across all platform compliance training tracks and data ownership updates
• Identify operational gaps independently and take full ownership to close execution bottlenecks

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree (PhD, RN, MS, or equivalent clinical/scientific credential)
• 5 to 8 years of experience as a clinical scientist, with a documented focus on oncology trial strategy and clinical protocol execution
• Deep experience in project management frameworks, diagnostic clinical research, and peer-reviewed scientific writing
• Ability to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally for site management and conference execution
• Experience executing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) within oncology or molecular diagnostics is preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Rigorous analytical skills with a proven track record of isolating operational variance and executing target-driven remedies
• Fast learner with the capability to master complex cfDNA platforms, bioinformatics workflows, and molecular assays rapidly
• Precise written and verbal communication styles with strict attention to data detail and regulatory parameters
• Proven capability to drive independent portfolios while executing cross-functional objectives within matrixed study teams
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to scale clinical workflows within a high-growth laboratory environment