Rare Disease Senior Medical Science Liaison

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to make people smile by delivering breakthroughs where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, Massachusetts, and Ontario

Summary of Job

Territory: This position covers  Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, and Phoenix, AZ territories, along with surrounding markets throughout the region. Candidates must live within the Territory 

The Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a field-based member of the Medical Affairs organization responsible for serving as a scientific and clinical expert for the company's therapeutic area(s) and products. The MSL establishes and maintains trusted scientific relationships with healthcare professionals (HCPs), key opinion leaders (KOLs), researchers, and other external stakeholders to facilitate the exchange of accurate, balanced, and evidence-based scientific information. The role advances Medical Affairs objectives by providing scientific and clinical expertise, gathering actionable medical insights, and leading to evidence generation, field medical strategic initiatives while ensuring all activities are conducted in compliance with applicable regulations, industry standards, and company policies.

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Essential Functions

• Independently identify, establish, and advance strategic scientific relationships with international, national, regional, and local key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare professionals (HCPs), investigators, and other external stakeholders.

• Educate healthcare professionals and other appropriate stakeholders on Kyowa Kirin’s scientific data, disease states, therapeutic landscape, emerging clinical evidence, and product portfolio.

• Deliver accurate, transparent, fair-balanced, evidence-based, and compliant scientific and clinical information in a timely and customer-focused manner, including responses to unsolicited medical information requests.

• Serve as a regional medical and scientific resource by identifying external stakeholder needs and connecting them with appropriate Kyowa Kirin capabilities, resources, initiatives, and scientific collaborations.

• Gather, critically analyze, synthesize, and communicate actionable medical insights, unmet medical needs, treatment trends, and competitive intelligence, identifying strategic implications and recommended actions for Medical Affairs and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Develop and deliver scientific presentations, educational programs, clinical resources, and other materials in response to identified stakeholder needs and appropriate requests.

• Independently liaise between investigators and Kyowa Kirin regarding unsolicited investigator-initiated study proposals and ongoing investigator-initiated studies (IIS), in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Partner with Clinical Operations and other internal stakeholders to support company-sponsored clinical studies, as appropriate.

• Support speaker identification, development, training, and ongoing scientific education initiatives, as appropriate.

• Lead the planning and execution of field medical activities and provide scientific support at international, national, regional, and local medical congresses, advisory boards, investigator meetings, and other scientific forums.

• Deliver scientific education and training to internal cross-functional partners on disease states, therapeutic landscapes, clinical data, emerging evidence, and Kyowa Kirin products.

• Build strong cross-functional partnerships across Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, and other internal functions while maintaining appropriate boundaries between scientific and commercial activities.

• Communicate and disseminate important product safety information to healthcare professionals in accordance with Medical Affairs, Research and Development, Pharmacovigilance, applicable regulatory requirements, and company policies.

• Maintain ongoing independent learning and scientific expertise through continuous review of clinical literature, treatment guidelines, emerging evidence, and developments within the assigned therapeutic area and competitive landscape.

• Participate in promotional and medical review committee activities, as required.

• Ensure adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, industry codes, and company regulatory, legal, compliance, pharmacovigilance, and privacy policies.

• Serve as a mentor and scientific resource to other MSLs, sharing expertise, field insights, and best practices, as appropriate.

• Independently lead or serve as a key contributor to cross-functional initiatives, Medical Affairs priorities, strategic planning activities, and special projects, translating field insights and scientific evidence into actionable perspectives for the MSL team and broader organization.

• Develop and execute a strategic territory plan using stakeholder, scientific, and field insights to prioritize engagements and optimize medical impact, while demonstrating leadership, sound judgment, adaptability, and effective prioritization of resources and activities to achieve Medical Affairs objectives.

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Education

• Advanced clinical or scientific degree or healthcare professional credential required (e.g., MD, DO, PhD, PharmD, NP, PA, MS, or equivalent). Doctoral degree (MD, DO, PhD, or PharmD) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of Medical Science Liaison experience within the pharmaceutical industry, with a strong preference for candidates supporting Rare Disease, Endocrinology, Metabolic Bone Disease, Nephrology, Rheumatology, or related therapeutic areas.

Technical Skills

• Understanding of assigned disease states, therapeutic landscapes, treatment guidelines, current standards of care, and emerging scientific trends.

• Demonstrated ability to influence Medical Affairs strategy and organizational decision-making through high-quality scientific engagement, actionable field insights, and leadership of strategic initiatives.

• Strong understanding of clinical research methodology, evidence-generation strategies, and interpretation of clinical trial data.

• Working knowledge of FDA regulations, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), pharmacovigilance requirements, Office of Inspector General (OIG) guidance, and applicable industry standards.

• Demonstrated expertise in evaluating medical literature, synthesizing scientific information, and translating complex data into meaningful insights and actionable recommendations for healthcare professionals and internal stakeholders.

• Skilled in delivering scientifically accurate, balanced, and compliant presentations to external and internal audiences, including healthcare professionals, investigators, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Demonstrated capability to analyze medical insights, identify emerging trends, and inform data-driven decision-making within Medical Affairs.

• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities, organize field-based activities, and operate effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.

• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to build strong working relationships, influence without authority, and effectively manage conflict.

• Excellent written, verbal, listening, facilitation, and presentation skills.

• Experience utilizing Medical Affairs systems, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Non-Technical Skills

• Demonstrates scientific credibility and is recognized as a trusted scientific resource by internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to establish, develop, and maintain strategic relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare professionals (HCPs), investigators, and other external stakeholders across a geographically dispersed territory.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to build strong working relationships, demonstrate emotional intelligence, influence without authority, and effectively manage conflict.

• Excellent written, verbal, listening, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and clinical data to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex clinical and scientific information into meaningful, actionable insights for healthcare professionals and internal stakeholders.

• Demonstrates intentional collaboration and effectively partners across functions to achieve Medical Affairs objectives.

• Results-oriented with the ability to independently prioritize activities, manage competing demands, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to evolving business needs.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, field-based environment.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities through mentorship, coaching, project leadership, and contributions to strategic initiatives.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, navigate ambiguity, and adapt effectively to changing priorities.

• Commitment to the highest ethical, legal, regulatory, and scientific standards while serving as a role model for compliant and ethical behavior.

• Passion for continuous learning, professional development, and maintaining expertise within the therapeutic area and broader healthcare environment.

• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to effectively collaborate within diverse and multinational organizations.

Physical Requirements

The role requires the ability to work in a field-based environment with frequent travel, including extended periods of sitting during air, ground, and other forms of transportation. The position may require prolonged use of computers and other office equipment, as well as the ability to attend and participate in scientific meetings, conferences, advisory boards, and healthcare professional engagements. The employee must be able to navigate various work environments and maintain effective communication and presentation capabilities while traveling and performing job responsibilities.

Working Conditions

Field-based position requiring up to 70% travel by air and ground transportation, including overnight travel and occasional weekend commitments to support scientific congresses, advisory boards, and other Medical Affairs activities. Must reside within the assigned territory and maintain proximity to a major airport to support regional coverage requirements, which may encompass a broad geographic area requiring regular travel. A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle as required for business travel are required.

Kyowa Kirin reserves the right to modify this job description, at the manager’s discretion, at any time. In the US, this job description does not change your “at will” status.

The anticipated salary for this position will be  $195,080 – $215,000.  The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company match
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Services
• Long Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

When you apply to a job on this site, the personal data contained in your application will be collected and stored by Kyowa Kirin, Inc. (“Controller”), which is located at 510 Carnegie Center Dr. Princeton, NJ 08540 USA and can be contacted by emailing [email protected]. Controller’s data protection officer can be contacted at [email protected]. Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controller’s recruitment related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for employment. 

Your personal data will be shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controller’s behalf. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data will be transferred to the United States once you submit it through this site. The transfer will be made using appropriate additional safeguards under the standard contractual clauses approved by regulators for transfers of personal data outside the European Union.

Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment.  Under the GDPR, if you are located in the European Union, you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have the right to data portability, and to lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority. If you have any questions about our use of your data, you may contact us by email at [email protected].

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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