Director, Clinical Scientist

Verastem Oncology; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity compensation

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Verastem Oncology is seeking a Director, Clinical Scientist to provide leadership for assigned oncology studies and programs, shaping development strategy and regulatory submissions.

You will direct study design and execution, ensure data integrity across safety, efficacy, PK and biomarkers, author protocols, synopses, ICFs and CSR sections, and collaborate with investigators and partners. This role requires strong communication and travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in life sciences with 12+ years of relevant work experience.
• Progressive biotech/pharma clinical development experience with leadership in oncology strategy, study execution, and data and safety analysis.
• Strong knowledge of GCP/GxP, the global drug development process, and current regulatory expectations (FDA/EMA).
• Ability to lead cross‑functional matrix teams, work independently, and exercise sound clinical judgment in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, verbal communication, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Leads the clinical/scientific design and execution of assigned oncology trials with cross‑functional teams.
• Ensures clinical data integrity through hands‑on review and interpretation of safety, efficacy, PK, and biomarker data; translates findings into program insights.
• Oversees clinical science support from CROs and refines data review processes and workflows.
• Authors and leads key study and regulatory documents, including protocols, synopses, ICFs, investigator brochures, safety updates, CSR, and regulatory sections.
• Contributes to integrated development plans and study strategy, including risk assessment and decision points.
• Partners with investigators and stakeholders to ensure scientific oversight and regulatory compliance.
• Leads or supports investigator meetings and scientific forums; delivers clear presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Supports scientific communication through literature review and abstracts/presentations; stays current with oncology and regulatory environments.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

Education

Master's degree in life sciences

Job description

The Director, Clinical Scientist provides clinical and scientific leadership for assigned oncology studies and programs. This individual serves as a key member of Study and Program Teams, leading clinical/scientific execution, data review and interpretation, and development of study and regulatory documents to support development strategy and potential market authorization applications.

Responsibilities

• Leads the clinical/scientific design and execution of assigned clinical trial(s), partnering closely with cross-functional study and program teams.
• Ensures clinical data integrity through hands-on, ongoing review, analysis, and interpretation of safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, biomarker, and other study data; identifies emerging trends and translates study‑level findings into program‑level insights and recommendations.
• Oversees clinical science support from partner CROs and creates and refines data review and cleaning processes, tools, and workflows to improve efficiency, consistency, and data quality.
• Authors and leads key study and clinical/regulatory documents, including protocols and synopses, informed consent forms, investigator brochures, briefing books, safety updates, clinical study reports, and clinical sections of regulatory submissions and responses.
• Contributes to integrated clinical development plans and study/program strategy, including key development options, risks, and decision points.
• Partners with investigators and internal/external stakeholders to support protocol interpretation, appropriate scientific/medical oversight, and compliance with GCP/GxP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Leads or supports investigator meetings, protocol training, advisory boards, steering committees, and other scientific forums; develops and delivers clear presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Supports scientific communication through literature review and development/review of abstracts, presentations, and manuscripts; maintains current knowledge of oncology, clinical development, and the external regulatory/scientific environment, and develops strong collaborative relationships across Verastem and with external scientific partners.

Required qualifications

• Master's degree (MS) in life sciences or a related discipline with 12+ years of relevant work experience required.
• Progressive biotech/pharma clinical development experience, with demonstrated leadership in oncology clinical strategy, study execution, and clinical data and safety analysis.
• Strong knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP/GxP), clinical trial design, the global drug development process, and current regulatory expectations (e.g., FDA and EMA).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross‑functional matrix teams, work independently, and exercise sound clinical/scientific judgment in a fast‑paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, verbal communication, influencing, and presentation skills, including the ability to distill complex information into key considerations and decision points.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences or clinical practice experience highly preferred (e.g., R.N., PhD, PharmD).
• Prior experience with global clinical trials and NDA/BLA or other major regulatory submissions preferred.
• Experience in oncology drug development across multiple stages of clinical development preferred.

The base salary range ($200,000 - $260,000) provided reflects our current estimate of what we anticipate paying for this position. Your actual base salary will be based on several factors, including job‑related skills, experience, internal equity, relevant education or training, location, and market dynamics. In addition, you will be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and a competitive benefits package.