Sr. Medical Science Liaison - Rheumatology - Ohio

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Horsham, PA

3d•$137,000 - $235,750

About The Position

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines is recruiting a Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL) for its Rheumatology team, based in the Ohio territory, with Cleveland or Columbus preferred. The Senior MSL is a field-based scientific and clinical expert on current and future products. The role serves as a strategic scientific partner, integrating internal and external information to inform medical engagement, patient care, and territory strategy. The Senior MSL 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 exchange. The role monitors scientific and treatment trends, evaluates emerging data, and supports investigator-initiated studies by facilitating scientific exchange and connecting investigators with internal research and grant processes, without assuming sponsor responsibilities. The position involves developing and implementing a territory engagement plan aligned with Medical Affairs strategy; understanding stakeholder perspectives and unmet needs; delivering tailored scientific education; collecting actionable insights; and providing point-of-contact support for sponsored and investigator-initiated studies. The Senior MSL responds to unsolicited research and clinical inquiries, collaborates compliantly across internal teams, maintains scientific expertise, supports colleagues’ development, and completes administrative requirements accurately and on time. The position includes up to 70% travel.

Requirements

Doctorate-level degree or equivalent experience, such as PharmD, PhD, MD, or Advanced Practice Provider.
Postgraduate experience 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, including in-territory visits, internal meetings, external congresses, and related events.
Must hold a valid US driver's license (listed as preferred in the posting).
Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CoPilot, computers, and remote technologies.

Nice To Haves

Residency or fellowship.
Knowledge of or experience in the therapeutic area.
Related clinical, research, or pharmaceutical work experience.
Location in a major metro area, with Cleveland or Columbus preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to learning emerging technologies such as AI through exploration, iteration, and continued application.
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 and healthcare professionals to understand treatment landscapes, identify trends, unmet needs, and educational gaps, and serve as a scientific resource.
Build and maintain professional relationships with community and academic healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders.
Use insights and MSL tools to plan customer engagements and identify gaps, risks, and opportunities to improve medical impact.
Use AI tools and insights to support decision-making, streamline processes, and improve efficiency and outcomes.
Identify educational needs and provide tailored, scientifically balanced, medically appropriate responses.
Present and discuss scientific data clearly, translating complex clinical evidence into meaningful dialogue and adapting communication to stakeholder needs.
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, congress attendance, and scientific discussions; support the scientific and clinical development of others.
Foster inclusion and belonging internally and externally and support collaborative One J&J goals.
Maintain competence in regulatory and healthcare compliance, company policies on business conduct and ethics, and Medical Affairs SOPs and guidelines.
Work with the direct manager to develop and implement a performance and development plan and undertake leadership projects that support medical planning and organizational capabilities.
Complete administrative requirements, including expense reports and activity documentation, accurately, promptly, and compliantly.

Benefits

Eligibility to participate in the company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)), subject to plan terms.
Eligibility to participate in the company’s long-term incentive program.
Vacation: 120 hours per calendar year, subject to policy and date of hire.
Sick time: 40 hours per calendar year, subject to policy and date of hire, with stated exceptions for Colorado and Washington residents.
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 a child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Bereavement leave: up to 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.