Director of Clinical Science and Applied Research

Motif Neurotech • Houston, TX

1d • Remote

About The Position

Motif is a medical device startup based in Houston, Texas, designing and developing minimally invasive electronic solutions for serious mental health conditions. Powered by patent-pending methods for wireless power and data transmission, their goal is to create the smallest implantable brain stimulator to treat people with mental health disorders. They are an early-stage startup with funding from venture capital firms, grants, and private angel and founder investments. Motif’s technology stack consists of a small implant that is wirelessly powered via magnetic fields from an external wearable transmitter, configured and controlled from a programming interface. It delivers novel stimulation therapy to cortical targets and will evolve to record biomarkers of symptoms, disease state, and therapy response. They are currently completing the development of their first minimally invasive neural stimulation system and preparing for future versions with additional functionality based on their platform technology. This role will oversee clinical evidence generation and external research partnerships, leading the clinical roadmap from early feasibility through reimbursement while shaping the scientific narrative for a new class of psychiatric therapy.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in clinical development within the medical device, pharmaceutical, or biotech industry, with progressive leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated experience leading clinical studies from protocol design through execution, including at least one study that supported a regulatory submission or market approval
• Experience directly managing clinical, scientific, or medical affairs teams, and a track record of representing an organization at scientific meetings
• Ability to travel to Houston, TX for onsite meetings (approximately ~4-5 times per year) and to other scientific conferences and/or clinical meetings
• Authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

• Experience in active implantable medical devices, neuromodulation, or neurostimulation therapies
• Clinical or research background in psychiatry, depression, or related mental health indications
• Advanced degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent)
• Record of peer-reviewed publications or successful grant applications

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the clinical roadmap
• Define the end-to-end evidence generation strategy from early feasibility studies through to successful reimbursement decisions
• Integrate regulatory and reimbursement requirements into study design to ensure clinical data supports both approval and coverage
• Partner with leadership to align the clinical roadmap with company strategy, financing milestones, and product development timelines
• Oversee clinical development projects and grants
• Provide oversight of active clinical studies, ensuring programs are delivered on time, on budget, and to protocol
• Identify, secure, and manage non-dilutive funding sources, including federal grants and foundation support for evidence development (clinical and preclinical) programs
• Oversee grant-funded programs end-to-end, including reporting, milestone tracking, and renewals
• Represent the company externally and build the scientific community
• Represent the company at scientific and medical meetings, presenting data and shaping the clinical narrative for our platform
• Build and maintain peer-level relationships with key opinion leaders in psychiatry, neuromodulation, and related fields
• Establish and manage external research partnerships with academic investigators and clinical collaborators

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents
• Participation in our 401k plan
• Unlimited PTO
• The chance to work with an incredible group of people working towards a common goal for a better future

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree