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Clinical Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The primary purpose of the Development Scientist Director's position is to support the Clinical Research Director (CRD) and/or clinical lead in the medical/scientific contribution for the clinical ...

Development Scientist

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

SkylineDx USA is seeking a Development Scientist to support process development and assay support ... The ideal candidate will bring experience in clinical diagnostics, preferably in oncology, along ...

Development Scientist

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

SkylineDx USA is seeking a Development Scientist to support process development and assay support ... The ideal candidate will bring experience in clinical diagnostics, preferably in oncology, along ...

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Clinical Development Scientist information

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How much do clinical development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for clinical development scientist in the United States is $54.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.14 and $68.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Clinical Development Scientist typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a clinical trial?

Clinical Development Scientists play a central role in coordinating with various teams such as clinical operations, regulatory affairs, data management, and biostatistics throughout a clinical trial. They ensure that clinical protocols are scientifically sound and align with regulatory requirements, while also facilitating clear communication between departments to address study challenges and maintain timelines. By serving as the scientific point of contact, they help integrate input from multiple stakeholders, support troubleshooting during trial execution, and contribute to the preparation of study documents and data analysis.

What does a Clinical Development Scientist do?

A Clinical Development Scientist is responsible for designing, planning, and overseeing clinical trials that test new drugs, therapies, or medical devices. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that clinical studies are scientifically sound, compliant with regulations, and aligned with strategic objectives. Their work involves protocol development, data analysis, and interpretation of results to support regulatory submissions and product approvals. Ultimately, they play a key role in bringing safe and effective treatments to patients.

What is the difference between Clinical Development Scientist vs Clinical Research Associate?

AspectClinical Development ScientistClinical Research Associate
Required credentialsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Life Sciences or related field, often with certification in clinical trials
Work environmentDesigning and planning clinical trials, collaborating with teamsMonitoring clinical trials at sites, ensuring protocol compliance
Employer and industry usagePharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, CROsPharmaceutical companies, CROs, research institutions
Common search and comparison intentUnderstanding roles in clinical developmentMonitoring and managing clinical trial sites

The Clinical Development Scientist focuses on designing, planning, and analyzing clinical trials, working closely with research teams. In contrast, the Clinical Research Associate primarily monitors trial sites to ensure compliance and data integrity. Both roles are essential in clinical research but differ in responsibilities and daily tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Clinical Development Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Clinical Development Scientist, you need a solid background in life sciences, clinical research methodologies, and drug development, often supported by an advanced degree such as a PhD or PharmD. Familiarity with regulatory requirements, clinical trial management systems (CTMS), and data analysis tools is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate cross-functionally and drive successful clinical studies. These skills ensure rigorous study design, regulatory compliance, and effective advancement of new therapies through clinical pipelines.
More about Clinical Development Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Clinical Development Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Clinical Development Scientist job openings:
What states have the most Clinical Development Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Clinical Development Scientist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Clinical Development Scientist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 14% As Needed, 10% Full Time, 70% Part Time, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,877 per year, or $54.7 per hour.
Clinical Development Scientist (Senior Director)

Clinical Development Scientist (Senior Director)

Pfizer

Groton, CT

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Pfizer rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 71 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

The Clinical Development Scientist (Senior Director) is responsible for scientific oversight, data integrity, and quality of clinical trials in Internal Medicine, with direct responsibility for clinical deliverables for one or more studies, leading and contributing to process improvement initiatives. They may also manage, supervise, and mentor others.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Independently leads clinical execution of one or more studies; accountable for program level clinical deliverables

  • May provide input to the protocol design document; leads development of the protocol, including protocol amendments, Protocol Administrative Change Letters, and Dear Investigator Letters

  • Represents the study team in internal protocol review governance submissions and interactions; partners with/supports the Global Development Lead in study and disease area strategy; may participate in protocol-related KOL and Health Authority interactions

  • Ensures development of Study Informed Consent Documents and responses to external stakeholder (e.g., Health Authority and Independent Ethics Committee) requests

  • Provides clinical guidance to the development of the Statistical Analysis Plan and Tables, Listings, and Figures

  • Provides clinical guidance to the development of the clinical data collection strategy, instruments, and data review plan, ensuring alignment with the protocol and SAP, optimized data collection principles, and clinical data review best practice; sets the clinical data review strategy and leads the team in the review of emerging clinical data and trends; reviews and queries data; presents data to internal and external stakeholders; partners with site-facing colleagues in support of data issue resolution; ensures all clinical queries are appropriately addressed in support of database lock

  • Provides clinical guidance to the development of the Safety Review Plan and Safety Narrative Plan; reviews safety data and ensures clinical documents are updated in response to emerging safety profile; tracks and reconciles Serious Adverse Events; leads clinical safety data discussion during Safety Review Team meetings in collaboration with Medically Qualified Individual(s); reviews safety narratives

  • Provides clinical guidance to the development of the Risk Management Plan; ensures clinical activities are consistent with the approved Plan and partners with key stakeholders to develop and implement risk mitigations

  • Establishes and manages External Data Monitoring Committees and Adjudication Committees, including chartering, contracting, provision and presentation of data, and documentation and dissemination of Committee recommendations

  • Develops site selection criteria, provides clinical input to selection of sites, and ensures protocol training is delivered to site-facing colleagues

  • Participates in investigator meeting planning and develops and delivers protocol training; develops and delivers ongoing protocol training in response to e.g., protocol amendments, emerging data issues, and quality events

  • Serves as the primary clinical point of contact with investigators and study team for questions relating to clinical aspects of the protocol; manages clinical response development, delivery, documentation, and curation (e.g., in FAQ)

  • Ensures protocol deviation sub-categories are established; ensures protocol deviations identified during clinical data review are reported; ensures all reported protocol deviations are appropriately managed and reconciled; leads protocol deviation trends review

  • Ensures TMF compliance for clinical documents

  • Provides clinical input and review of the Clinical Study Report

  • Ensures disclosure of safety and efficacy data and trial conclusions; may contribute to publications

  • Provides clinical support to audits and inspections, including responding to and addressing audit and inspection findings

  • May contribute to clinical sections of regulatory filings (e.g., Briefing Documents, Pediatric Investigational Plan, Investigator Brochure, IND/NDA Annual Reports, Periodic Safety Update Reports, responses to Health Authority requests)

  • Leads the adoption and implementation of continuous improvement / process enhancement activities and innovative approaches to maximize effectiveness of clinical trial execution at the program and portfolio levels; contributes to enterprise-level initiatives

  • May have managerial responsibility for other clinical colleagues or contingent workers; may supervise, mentor, or develop others

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Science degree (PhD, PharmD, or equivalent) with at least 7 years, or MA/MS with at least 10 years, or BA/BS with at least 12 years of Clinical Research experience in a similar role in the biopharmaceutical industry

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Cardiometabolic disease experience, e.g., obesity, diabetes, endocrinology, etc.

  • Clinical research experience in the biopharmaceutical industry in study design, start-up, conduct, and close-out, including regulatory submissions and inspections

  • Scientific productivity via publications, posters, abstracts and/or presentations

  • Extensive knowledge of clinical development, global and regional regulation, and ICH/GCP

  • Clinical, administrative, and project management capabilities; effective verbal and written communication skills

  • Experience launching, managing, and training clinical development teams

  • Track record of achievement in pharmaceutical development; able to coordinate and execute clinical development during design, start-up, conduct, close-out, and reporting

  • Understands the complexities and recent developments in the principal disease areas; competent discussing scientific and regulatory aspects of drug development

  • Able to set priorities and manage cross-functional teams and complex projects to deliver milestones according to budgets and priorities; able to define and manage resource requirements

  • Effective leader; able to mentor/coach, delegate to, and oversee others; able to develop others' skills and move them toward autonomy

  • Able to resolve conflicts equitably; fosters open dialogue; addresses conflicts; reads situations quickly; negotiates agreements; escalates issues when appropriate; takes responsibility for decisions

  • Shares wins and success; defines success in terms of the whole team; develops strong team morale and spirit; creates a sense of belonging

  • Takes personal responsibility for delivery of results

  • Able to demonstrate perspective and poise in uncertainty and organizational change

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Global travel may be required

Work Location Assignment:This is a hybrid role requiring you to live within commuting distance and work on-site an average of 2.5 days per week.

 
Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $214,900.00 to $358,100.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 22.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life's moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site - U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States. This role is posted in multiple locations. If you are applying for the role in an secondary job posting location where pay transparency regulations apply, your Talent Advisor will share the local pay information with you during the first interview.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Pfizer endeavors to makewww.pfizer.com/careersaccessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please emaildisabilityrecruitment@pfizer.com. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available onPfizer Careers.

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About Pfizer

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

All over the world, Pfizer colleagues work together to positively impact health for everyone, everywhere. Our colleagues have the opportunity to grow and develop a career that offers both individual and company success; be part of an ownership culture that values diversity and where all colleagues are energized and engaged; and the ability to impact the health and lives of millions of people. Pfizer, a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, is continuously seeking top talent who are inspired by our purpose to innovate to bring therapies to patients that significantly improve their lives. Our Health and Science System Specialists Team provides leadership across patient care settings in the complex Hospital, Health System, and Key Medical Group environment to bring value to our customers and patients in this dynamic ecosystem.

Industry

Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1849