Senior Clinical Scientist, Oncology

United States

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

Compensation & Total Rewards 

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of  hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

  • Annual performance incentive bonus

  • Long-term equity awards

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)

  • 401(k) with company match

  • Generous paid time off and company holidays

  • Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$142,200 - $177,700 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 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 

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