Senior Medical Science Liaison, Rheumatology - Southern California Territory

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Horsham, PA

4d•$137,000 - $235,750

About The Position

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting a Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in Rheumatology for the Southern California territory, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Hawaii. The Senior MSL is a field-based scientific and clinical expert on current and future Johnson & Johnson Innovative products and serves as a strategic scientific partner, integrating internal and external data to inform medical engagement, patient care, and territory strategy. The role develops professional relationships with key thought leaders and healthcare provider teams and provides fair, balanced, objective, non-promotional scientific information and education through meaningful, evidence-based scientific exchange. The Senior MSL stays current on scientific and treatment trends, evaluates emerging evidence, and supports investigator-initiated studies in accordance with applicable policies and without assuming sponsor responsibilities. The position works with internal and external partners to address educational needs, respond to unsolicited research and clinical inquiries, share actionable insights, and support company-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies. The MSL contributes to Medical Affairs planning and organizational capabilities, fosters inclusion and belonging, maintains compliance, and completes administrative requirements accurately and promptly. The territory requires up to 70% travel.

Requirements

Doctorate-level degree or equivalent experience, such as PharmD, PhD, MD, or Advanced Practice Provider; post-graduate experience is required for doctoral-level candidates.
At least 2 years of relevant experience, including demonstrated success as an MSL.
Strong scientific and therapeutic expertise, including research, data analysis, clinical expertise, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.
Ability to support a defined territory with up to 70% travel.
Valid US driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Residency or fellowship.
Knowledge of or experience in the Rheumatology therapeutic area.
Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CoPilot, computers, and remote technologies.
Related clinical, research, or pharmaceutical work experience.
Demonstrated commitment to learning emerging technologies such as AI through exploration, iteration, and ongoing application.
Located in a major metropolitan area; Los Angeles or San Diego preferred.
Therapeutic clinical experience is preferred for doctoral-level candidates.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a territory scientific engagement plan aligned with Medical Affairs strategy, prioritized medical objectives, and approved core medical assets.
Conduct high-quality, two-way scientific exchange with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to understand perspectives, identify trends and unmet needs, and address educational gaps.
Build and cultivate professional relationships with community and academic HCPs and KOLs in the territory.
Use insights and MSL tools to plan customer engagements and identify gaps, risks, and opportunities to enhance medical impact.
Use AI tools and insights to support decision-making, streamline processes, and improve efficiency and outcomes.
Identify provider educational needs and respond with tailored, scientifically balanced, medically appropriate information.
Present relevant scientific data and translate complex clinical evidence into meaningful discussion, adapting communication to stakeholder needs and clarifying scientific questions in an evidence-based manner.
Collect, consolidate, and share actionable insights that inform medical strategy, asset planning, and cross-functional discussions.
Provide point-of-contact support to investigators and internal partners for company-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies.
Respond promptly to unsolicited external research and clinical inquiries with scientifically sound, objective, compliant information.
Execute Medical Affairs strategy and MSL priorities, adapting plans to evolving data, compliance considerations, and organizational priorities.
Collaborate compliantly with MSL field partners, R&D, US and Global Medical Affairs, clinical operations, and appropriate role-defined Sales and Marketing stakeholders.
Maintain scientific acumen through self-study, journal clubs, educational seminars, congresses, and peer discussions; support the development of colleagues’ scientific and clinical acumen.
Foster inclusion and belonging internally and externally and support collaborative One J&J goals at local and national levels.
Maintain competence in regulatory and healthcare compliance, ethical business conduct, and Medical Affairs SOPs and guidelines.
Work with the direct manager on a performance and development plan and undertake leadership projects that contribute to medical planning and organizational capabilities.
Complete administrative requirements, including expense reports and activity documentation, accurately, promptly, and compliantly.
Support the defined territory through in-territory visits and attendance at internal meetings, external congresses, and related events.

Benefits

Company consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)), subject to plan terms.
Eligibility to participate in the long-term incentive program.
Vacation: 120 hours per calendar year, subject to policy and hire date.
Sick time: 40 hours per calendar year, with different amounts for employees residing in Colorado or Washington, subject to policy and hire date.
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, or foster care of a child.
Bereavement leave: 240 hours for an immediate family member and 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.