Director, Clinical Scientist

The Director, Clinical Scientist at Kailera is a senior scientific leader responsible for the scientific execution of clinical trials, partnering closely with Clinical Operations and cross-functional teams. This role ensures high-quality trial conduct, rigorous data review, and clear scientific communication from study start-up through reporting. It requires deep clinical trial experience, strong organizational skills, and comfort working directly in trial data, focusing on advancing novel therapies for obesity and related conditions.

Must Have

• Support the Medical lead for one or more Phase I–III clinical studies
• Support studies across the full trial lifecycle, from start-up through database lock and reporting
• Lead ongoing review of clinical trial data listings, including adverse events, laboratory data, concomitant medications, vitals, ECGs, and safety outputs
• Identify data trends, inconsistencies, and potential issues; partner with Data Management, Biostatistics, and Safety to resolve them
• Act as a close scientific partner to Clinical Operations to deliver on trial execution
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Clinical Operations, Data Management, Biostatistics, Programming, Safety, and Regulatory
• Author, review, and contribute to trial documents, such as protocols, amendments, Investigator’s Brochures, and Clinical Study Reports
• Develop and deliver clear, well-structured presentations to study teams and internal leadership
• Drive execution, follow-through, and accountability across multiple concurrent deliverables
• Be flexible with travel and attend site related clinical development activities; form and maintain relationships with KOL’s
• 8+ years of extensive hands-on experience supporting clinical trials in a clinical development role
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and interpreting clinical trial data listings
• Strong understanding of clinical trial conduct and cross-functional trial workflows
• Proven ability to partner effectively with Clinical Operations
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and execution skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced PowerPoint skills; working knowledge of Excel and other commonly used clinical systems/tools
• Ability to manage multiple studies and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Advanced degree in life sciences discipline (PhD, PharmD, MS, or equivalent)

Perks & Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage
• Flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Year-end shutdown
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Generous 401(k) match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Commuter benefits
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Annual bonus opportunities
• Equity grants

At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera’s mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.

What You’ll Do:

The Director, Clinical Scientist is a senior, hands-on scientific leader responsible for the scientific execution of clinical trials. This role partners closely with Clinical Operations and cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality trial conduct, rigorous data review, and clear scientific communication from study start-up through reporting.

This position requires deep clinical trial experience, strong organizational skills, and comfort working directly in trial data. An MD is not required for this role.

Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week)

Responsibilities:

• Support the Medical lead for one or more Phase I–III clinical studies
• Support studies across the full trial lifecycle, from start-up through database lock and reporting
• Lead ongoing review of clinical trial data listings, including adverse events, laboratory data, concomitant medications, vitals, ECGs, and safety outputs
• Identify data trends, inconsistencies, and potential issues; partner with Data Management, Biostatistics, and Safety to resolve them
• Act as a close scientific partner to Clinical Operations to deliver on trial execution
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Clinical Operations, Data Management, Biostatistics, Programming, Safety, and Regulatory
• Author, review, and contribute to trial documents, such as protocols, amendments, Investigator’s Brochures, and Clinical Study Reports
• Develop and deliver clear, well-structured presentations to study teams and internal leadership
• Drive execution, follow-through, and accountability across multiple concurrent deliverables
• Be flexible with travel and attend site related clinical development activities; form and maintain relationships with KOL’s

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of extensive hands-on experience supporting clinical trials in a clinical development role
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and interpreting clinical trial data listings
• Strong understanding of clinical trial conduct and cross-functional trial workflows
• Proven ability to partner effectively with Clinical Operations
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and execution skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced PowerPoint skills; working knowledge of Excel and other commonly used clinical systems/tools
• Ability to manage multiple studies and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Education:

• Advanced degree in life sciences discipline (PhD, PharmD, MS, or equivalent)

Salary Range

$175,000 - $230,000 USD

For Full Time Roles: This range represents the company’s good-faith estimate of the salary at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and internal equity. We also offer comprehensive health coverage, flexible time off, paid holidays, and a year-end shutdown. Enjoy a monthly wellness stipend, generous 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance, plus annual bonus opportunities and equity grants—because your well-being and future matter to us.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (40 and over), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, domestic victim status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

E-Verify:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

#LI-Hybrid