Lead Clinical Research Scientist

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and retirement benefits

Conference attendance & training

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 with a pioneering pharmaceutical partner in Upington, Northern Cape, seeks a Lead Clinical Research Scientist to design, execute, and oversee trials. You will shape scientific strategy, develop protocols, and manage regulatory interactions to advance therapies.

You will mentor teams, collaborate with clinicians, biostatisticians, and regulatory affairs specialists across development phases, ensuring ethical, compliant progress in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.D. in a life sciences discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of clinical research experience.
• Expertise in clinical trial design, execution, and data analysis.
• Strong understanding of GCP and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent scientific writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Proven leadership and project management abilities.
• Experience with regulatory submissions is advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine scientific and clinical strategies for drug development programs.
• Design, write, and finalize clinical trial protocols, informed consent forms, and other study documents.
• Oversee the execution of clinical trials, ensuring adherence to protocols, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards.
• Collaborate with investigators, clinical research associates, and other study personnel.
• Analyze and interpret clinical trial data, working closely with biostatisticians.
• Prepare CSRs and contribute to regulatory submissions (IND, NDA, BLA).
• Stay current with scientific literature, therapeutic advances, and regulatory guidelines.
• Mentor junior researchers and provide guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Present scientific data and strategies at internal meetings and external conferences.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Clinical trial design

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

PhD or MD in life sciences

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering pharmaceutical company, is seeking a Lead Clinical Research Scientist to join our innovative drug development team. This role is crucial for designing, executing, and overseeing clinical trials that bring life-saving therapies to patients. You will be responsible for scientific strategy, protocol development, data analysis interpretation, and regulatory interactions. The ideal candidate possesses a strong scientific background in a relevant therapeutic area, extensive experience in clinical trial design and management, and excellent leadership skills. This position offers a 'Hybrid' work arrangement, allowing for flexibility between remote work and necessary on-site activities at our facilities in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA. You will collaborate with a dedicated team of clinicians, statisticians, and regulatory affairs specialists to advance novel treatments through the development pipeline. We are committed to scientific excellence and ethical research practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine scientific and clinical strategies for drug development programs.
• Design, write, and finalize clinical trial protocols, informed consent forms, and other study documents.
• Oversee the execution of clinical trials, ensuring adherence to protocols, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards.
• Collaborate with investigators, clinical research associates, and other study personnel.
• Analyze and interpret clinical trial data, working closely with biostatisticians.
• Prepare clinical study reports (CSRs) and contribute to regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, NDA, BLA).
• Stay current with scientific literature, therapeutic area advancements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Mentor junior research scientists and provide scientific guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Present scientific data and strategies at internal meetings and external conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.D. in a life sciences discipline (e.g., Pharmacology, Medicine, Biology, Biochemistry).
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in clinical research within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in clinical trial design, execution, and data analysis across various phases of development.
• Strong understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EMA), and scientific methodology.
• Experience in a specific therapeutic area (e.g., oncology, cardiology, neurology) is highly desirable.
• Excellent scientific writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Proven leadership and project management abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote responsibilities with on-site collaboration.
• Experience with medical writing and regulatory submissions is a significant advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and significant opportunities for professional growth and development, including conference attendance and advanced training. The hybrid work model provides a balance of remote flexibility and essential in-person collaboration. Employees have access to state-of-the‑art research facilities and collaborate with leading experts in the pharmaceutical industry. Join our mission‑driven team and contribute to bringing innovative medicines to patients, working from our strategic location in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA.