Job Summary

ONWARD Medical is building a structured portfolio of Early Clinical Research across its ARC-EX, ARC-IM, and ARC-BCI platforms encompassing Investigator-Initiated Studies (IIS), Early Feasibility Studies (EFS), and grant-funded projects.

The Clinical Development Lead – Early Research serves as the operational and scientific backbone of the portfolio and ONWARD’s primary point of contact for external clinical partners. The role translates Marketing’s strategic indication priorities into a focused clinical development portfolio and coordinates each study across its full lifecycle, from initial request and protocol development through execution, data collection, and reporting. In collaboration with cross-functional partners, the role ensures that resulting clinical evidence is positioned to support regulatory submissions or inform advancement toward broader feasibility or pivotal studies. The role also periodically reviews the portfolio to ensure continued alignment with ONWARD’s strategic priorities and evolving clinical evidence needs.

Scientifically grounded in neuroscience, with neuromodulation or spinal cord stimulation experience strongly preferred, the role engages investigators and KOLs as a scientific peer, bringing clinical and scientific depth to shape study priorities and design and partnering closely with Clinical Science on protocol development. The role represents the Early Research portfolio within the Clinical Research Committee (CRC), providing portfolio-level visibility and scientific input to inform study prioritization and resource allocation. The role also coordinates the clinical publication and presentation strategy and translates study outcomes and external clinical insights into actionable input for Marketing and R&D, helping shape future indication priorities, evidence strategies, and device requirements.


Responsibilities

Portfolio Strategy & Regulatory Pathway Assessment

• Partner with Upstream Marketing to translate strategic indication priorities into a coordinated clinical evidence plan that aligns the portfolio of early research (IIS, EFS, grant-funded studies) across ARC-EX, ARC-IM, and ARC-BCI.
• Apply strategic judgment to assess the scientific merit, regulatory pathway, and commercial value of each study opportunity, including partner with Regulatory Affairs to determine how the resulting evidence could support regulatory approval, inform advancement to broader feasibility or pivotal trials, and prioritize or disposition studies accordingly.
• Incorporate input from Market Access on reimbursement and health-economic evidence needs so the portfolio generates data that supports both regulatory approval and market access strategy.
• Periodically review the full early-research portfolio against Marketing's strategic priorities; recommend and drive adjustments, including starting or stopping studies, consolidating single-center studies into multi-center programs, or redirecting resources toward higher-priority indications.
• Identify evidence gaps required for regulatory approval of priority indications and coordinate next steps with Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Science, and Clinical Operations.

Investigator & KOL Engagement

• Serve as ONWARD's primary contact with investigators and KOLs across the early-research portfolio, engaging as a scientific peer in study concept, design discussion, and interpretation of results.
• Build and sustain long-term scientific relationships with investigators and institutions, representing ONWARD as a credible scientific partner in the neuromodulation and spinal cord injury community.
• Facilitate engagement between KOLs and Clinical Science to support protocol development and study design, while remaining the primary relationship owner with the investigator throughout the study lifecycle.

Cross-Functional Alignment & Feedback Loops

• Provide scientific and strategic input to Clinical Science during protocol development, grounded in direct KOL relationships and portfolio-level context.
• Partner with Clinical Operations on study execution and site management, including contracts, budget, Trial Master File, etc.
• Translate study outcomes and field/KOL insight into structured recommendations for Upstream Marketing (future strategic indication priorities and therapy optimization to improve patient outcomes) and R&D (device requirements).
• Participate in and help govern the Clinical Research Committee (CRC) to maintain portfolio-level visibility and support study approval decisions.

Data, Reporting & Scientific Communication

• Ensure clinical data, adverse events, device deficiencies, and field insight are captured and shared with cross functional stakeholders in accordance with ONWARD's Quality Management System.
• Analyze and summarize study data, in collaboration with Clinical Science, to inform pipeline development decisions and regulatory reporting.
• Coordinate a portfolio-level publication and presentation strategy to ensure consistent, credible, and independent representation of ONWARD's early research.

Experience, Qualifications & Skills

• Advanced degree in neuroscience or a related scientific/clinical discipline (PhD, MD, or equivalent); a Master's degree with substantial commensurate experience will be considered.
• Meaningful experience in early-phase clinical research within medical devices, including direct involvement in IIS and/or early feasibility studies.
• Ability to develop a deep, credible understanding of ONWARD's product platforms (ARC-EX, ARC-IM, ARC BCI), their mechanisms of action, and clinical applications.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining peer-level relationships with clinical investigators and KOLs.
• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing clinical evidence generation (EU MDR, GCP, ISO 14155, GDPR/nDSG) and of market access/reimbursement evidence needs, sufficient to bridge the portfolio to Regulatory Affairs' and Market Access's strategies.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and maintain clear portfolio visibility.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex clinical and scientific information for Marketing, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, and Market Access audiences.
• Proven ability to work effectively across cultures and geographies, engaging external partners and internal cross-functional teams with ease.
• Meaningful experience in early-phase clinical research within medical devices, including direct involvement in IIS and/or early feasibility studies.
• Ability to develop a deep, credible understanding of ONWARD's product platforms (ARC-EX, ARC-IM, ARC BCI), their mechanisms of action, and clinical applications.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining peer-level relationships with clinical investigators and KOLs.
• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing clinical evidence generation (EU MDR, GCP, ISO 14155, GDPR/nDSG) and of market access/reimbursement evidence needs, sufficient to bridge the portfolio to Regulatory Affairs' and Market Access's strategies.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and maintain clear portfolio visibility.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex clinical and scientific information for Marketing, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, and Market Access audiences.
• Proven ability to work effectively across cultures and geographies, engaging external partners and internal cross-functional teams with ease.
• Prior clinical research experience in neuromodulation or spinal cord stimulation would be preferred.
• Track record of scientific publication and conference presentation in a relevant field would be highly desirable.
• Represents the ONWARD Commitments.

Additional Information

This role requires periodic international travel (approximately up to 30%) to engage investigators and partners across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and flexibility to collaborate across time zones. The position is offered on a full time basis and is supported by a Senior Clinical Project Manager for operational execution. Preferred location: Lausanne, Switzerland.