Sr. Medical Science Liaison - Rheumatology - Ohio

Johnson & Johnson • Cleveland, OH

5d • Remote

About The Position

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines is seeking a Senior Medical Science Liaison (Sr. MSL) for the Rheumatology field-based role in the Ohio territory. The Sr. MSL will serve as a scientific and clinical expert on current and future Johnson & Johnson Innovative products. This role involves developing and enhancing relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and healthcare provider teams, providing scientific information, and educating healthcare professionals and internal partners. The Sr. MSL will also stay updated on therapeutic area trends, critically evaluate emerging data, and support investigator-initiated studies. The position requires developing and implementing a scientific engagement plan, engaging in scientific exchange, identifying and cultivating relationships with HCPs/KOLs, and utilizing insights and tools to develop a strategic approach for customer engagements. The role also involves leveraging AI tools, identifying and addressing provider educational needs, delivering scientific data, collecting actionable insights, and providing support for studies. The Sr. MSL will collaborate compliantly with internal stakeholders and foster a culture of inclusion. A thorough understanding of regulatory and compliance guidelines is essential. The role also includes developing a performance and development plan and performing administrative requirements.

Requirements

• A Doctorate level degree or equivalent experience is required (PharmD, PhD, MD, Advanced Practice Providers, etc.).
• Post graduate experience is required for Doctoral level candidates, with preference for therapeutic clinical experience.
• 2+ years of relevant experience, including demonstrated success as an MSL.
• Strong scientific/therapeutic expertise with skills in research, data analysis, clinical expertise, problem‑solving, strategic thinking, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Ability to support a defined territory with up to 70% travel, including in‑territory visits and attendance at internal meetings, external congresses, and related events.
• Must hold a valid US Driver’s License.
• Familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CoPilot and utilization of computers and remote technologies.
• Related clinical, research, or pharma work experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning emerging technologies, such as AI, through exploration, iteration, and applying new tools over time.

Nice To Haves

• Residency/fellowship preferred.
• Knowledge or experience of therapeutic area.
• Located in a major metro area, Cleveland or Columbus preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a scientific engagement plan for the territory that aligns with Medical Affairs strategy, prioritized medical objectives, and approved core medical assets.
• Engage in high quality, two-way scientific exchange with KOLs and HCPs that respectfully challenges current thinking, to serve as a resource for them and to understand their perspectives on the current treatment landscape in the relevant disease area while identifying trends, unmet needs, and educational gaps.
• Identify and cultivate strong professional relationships with various community and academic HCPs/ KOLs in the territory to advance our scientific credibility.
• Utilize insights and MSL tools to develop a strategic approach for customer engagements within territory and proactively uncover gaps, risks, and opportunities to enhance medical impact.
• Leverage AI tools and insights to enhance decision making, streamline processes, and improve efficiency and outcomes across core responsibilities.
• Identify provider educational needs and address those with tailored responses by framing data in a compelling, scientifically balanced, and medically appropriate manner that advances learning and deepens understanding.
• Deliver relevant scientific data tailored to HCP needs through clear and effective dialogue and presentation that translates complex clinical evidence into meaningful scientific discussion by adapting communication style to stakeholder context, actively listening, asking insightful questions, and clarifying scientific questions or correcting factual misunderstandings in a balanced, evidence‑based manner.
• Collect and submit high quality actionable insights aligned with current strategic priorities of the organization by generating, consolidating, and sharing insights that inform medical strategy, asset planning, and cross‑functional discussions.
• Provide point-of-contact support to investigators and internal partners for both company-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies.
• Respond to unsolicited research/clinical inquiries from external stakeholders promptly with scientifically sound, objective, and compliant information.
• Consistently execute upon the current Medical Affairs strategy and MSL priorities while balancing short term execution with longer term medical objectives and adapting plans based on evolving data, compliance considerations, and organizational priorities.
• Compliantly collaborate with internal stakeholders including but not limited to MSL field partners, R&D, US as well as Global Medical Affairs teams, clinical operations, and appropriate, role‑defined interactions with Sales and Marketing, by demonstrating a strong understanding of the matrixed environment and contributing objective, forward looking scientific perspectives.
• Demonstrate strong scientific acumen through self-study, engaging in journal clubs, attending educational seminars, attending local and national congresses, and engaging in scientific discussion with peers while serving as a resource for the broader medical team and supporting the development of others’ scientific and clinical acumen.
• Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging (internally and externally), increasing engagement, productivity, and innovation that reflect the diverse communities we serve and supports collaborative One J&J goals at both local and national levels.
• Develop a thorough understanding and competence in the following areas – regulatory and health care compliance guidelines; corporate policies on appropriate business conduct and ethical behavior; Medical Affairs SOPs and guidelines.
• In collaboration with direct manager, MSL will develop and implement a performance and development plan as well as conduct additional leadership projects that contribute to medical planning, enhance competitiveness, and advance organizational capabilities.
• Perform all administrative requirements in a timely, accurate and compliant manner (e.g., expense reports, documentation of activities).

Benefits

• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

What This Job Offers

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