Senior Medical Science Liaison, Rheumatology - Southern California Territory

Johnson & Johnson•Los Angeles, CA

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 serves as a field-based scientific and clinical expert on current and future Johnson & Johnson Innovative products and as a strategic scientific partner who integrates internal and external information to guide medical engagement, patient care, and territory strategy. The role develops professional relationships with key thought leaders and health care provider teams and provides fair, balanced, objective, non-promotional scientific information and education through meaningful, evidence-based scientific exchange. The Senior MSL evaluates emerging evidence and trends in the relevant therapeutic areas and supports investigator-initiated research by facilitating scientific exchange and connecting investigators with internal research and grant processes, without assuming sponsor responsibilities. The position works with external health care professionals and internal partners to understand the treatment landscape, identify unmet needs and educational gaps, provide scientific support, and contribute insights that inform medical strategy. It also involves collaboration across a matrixed organization, ongoing scientific development, leadership projects, and timely, accurate, compliant completion of administrative responsibilities. The territory requires travel of up to 70%.

Requirements

Doctorate-level degree or equivalent experience, such as PharmD, PhD, MD, or Advanced Practice Provider qualification.
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 skills.
Ability to support a defined territory with up to 70% travel, including territory visits, internal meetings, external congresses, and related events.
Valid U.S. driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Therapeutic clinical experience.
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 applying new tools over time.
Located in a major metropolitan area; Los Angeles or San Diego preferred.

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 health care professionals to understand perspectives, identify trends and unmet needs, and address educational gaps.
Build and maintain professional relationships with community and academic health care professionals and key opinion leaders.
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 address them with tailored, scientifically balanced, medically appropriate responses.
Present relevant scientific data in clear, effective dialogue tailored to health care professional needs, translating complex clinical evidence into meaningful discussion.
Collect, consolidate, and share actionable insights aligned with organizational priorities to 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 research and clinical inquiries with scientifically sound, objective, compliant information.
Execute Medical Affairs strategy and MSL priorities while adapting plans to evolving data, compliance considerations, and organizational priorities.
Collaborate compliantly with internal stakeholders, including MSL field partners, R&D, US and Global Medical Affairs, clinical operations, and appropriate role-defined Sales and Marketing partners.
Maintain scientific acumen through self-study, journal clubs, educational seminars, congress attendance, and scientific discussion; support the development of others’ scientific and clinical acumen.
Foster inclusion and belonging internally and externally and support collaborative One J&J goals at local and national levels.
Develop competence in regulatory and health care compliance guidelines, corporate policies on ethical business conduct, and Medical Affairs SOPs and guidelines.
Develop and implement a performance and development plan with the direct manager and conduct leadership projects that contribute to medical planning and organizational capabilities.
Complete administrative requirements, including expense reports and activity documentation, accurately, promptly, and compliantly.

Benefits

Participation in the 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.
Sick time: 40 hours per calendar year, with different stated allowances for employees residing in Colorado or Washington.
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: 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.