Senior Medical Science Liaison

Medical Science Liaison (MSL)

Location: Remote, United States
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Department: Medical Affairs

Position Summary

We are seeking a scientifically accomplished, highly collaborative Medical Science Liaison (MSL) to support the advancement of innovative gene-editing technologies and investigational therapeutic programs. This individual will serve as a key scientific liaison between the organization and the external medical and scientific community, translating complex research into meaningful scientific exchange with key opinion leaders (KOLs), clinical investigators, academic researchers, and other healthcare stakeholders.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the MSL will help establish and execute the company's medical affairs strategy, support clinical development initiatives, cultivate strategic external relationships, and communicate emerging scientific insights across internal teams. This is a unique opportunity for a motivated medical affairs professional to contribute to the development of next-generation genomic medicines within a dynamic, science-driven biotechnology organization.

The ideal candidate combines strong scientific expertise in gene editing, genetics, molecular biology, cell and gene therapy, or a related discipline with excellent communication skills, sound scientific judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a lean, fast-paced biotechnology environment.

Key Responsibilities

Medical Affairs and Scientific Engagement

• Develop and maintain trusted scientific relationships with leading clinicians, key opinion leaders, clinical investigators, academic institutions, and researchers in relevant therapeutic areas.
• Serve as a primary scientific resource for external stakeholders, communicating the mechanism of action, scientific rationale, preclinical findings, clinical data, and potential applications of the company's investigational therapies.
• Conduct high-quality, balanced, non-promotional scientific exchange regarding gene-editing platforms, therapeutic approaches, clinical development programs, and emerging research.
• Identify and engage scientific experts to support the company's understanding of the evolving treatment landscape, unmet medical needs, and emerging standards of care.
• Respond to unsolicited medical and scientific inquiries with accurate, evidence-based information in accordance with applicable regulatory and compliance requirements.

Clinical Development Support

• Partner with clinical development, research, regulatory, and executive leadership to support the successful execution of clinical programs.
• Facilitate scientific engagement with investigators and research centers participating in or evaluating clinical studies.
• Gather and communicate insights regarding patient populations, clinical practice patterns, treatment pathways, trial feasibility, and potential barriers to clinical adoption.
• Support investigator meetings, scientific advisory boards, medical education initiatives, and other appropriate scientific engagements.
• Help identify opportunities to strengthen clinical site relationships, improve scientific understanding of investigational therapies, and support clinical program awareness.

Scientific Insights and Strategic Planning

• Collect, synthesize, and communicate actionable field insights to inform clinical development, medical strategy, research priorities, and business planning.
• Monitor relevant scientific publications, conference presentations, competitor developments, and advances in gene editing and genomic medicine.
• Prepare concise scientific reports and presentations for internal stakeholders, including executive leadership.
• Translate external scientific feedback into recommendations that support organizational priorities and long-term development strategy.
• Contribute to the development of medical affairs plans, scientific engagement strategies, and key performance indicators aligned with corporate objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the COO and cross-functional leaders to align medical affairs activities with corporate, clinical, and scientific priorities.
• Collaborate with research and development, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, and business development teams to ensure consistent, scientifically rigorous communication.
• Support the development and review of scientific presentations, educational materials, medical information resources, and external-facing scientific content.
• Contribute to the establishment and continuous improvement of medical affairs processes, policies, and compliant engagement practices.
• Represent the organization at relevant medical congresses, scientific conferences, and industry meetings.

External Scientific Representation

• Serve as a credible scientific ambassador for the organization within the gene-editing and biotechnology communities.
• Present complex scientific concepts clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Build a network of external scientific collaborators and advisors that supports the organization's clinical and scientific objectives.
• Maintain current knowledge of advances in genome engineering, translational medicine, genetic diseases, and applicable regulatory considerations.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree required, such as a PhD, PharmD, MD, DO, or equivalent relevant qualification.
• Additional training or experience in medical affairs, clinical development, translational research, genetics, or genomic medicine is highly desirable.

Experience

• Typically 3+ years of relevant experience in medical affairs, field medical engagement, clinical development, translational science, or a related biotechnology or pharmaceutical function.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific information effectively to external experts and internal stakeholders.
• Experience supporting clinical-stage therapeutic programs or engaging with clinical investigators and academic research centers.
• Familiarity with gene editing, genome engineering, genetic medicine, cell and gene therapy, or advanced therapeutic modalities strongly preferred.
• Experience working within a small or emerging biotechnology company is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Scientific excellence: Strong understanding of molecular biology, genetics, therapeutic development, and evidence-based scientific communication.
• Relationship development: Ability to build credible, long-term relationships with leading researchers, clinicians, and scientific stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking: Capacity to translate field insights into actionable recommendations for clinical and business priorities.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to simplify complex scientific concepts without compromising accuracy.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Comfortable working independently, prioritizing competing demands, and building processes in a developing organization.
• Cross-functional leadership: Ability to influence without direct authority and collaborate effectively across scientific, clinical, regulatory, and executive teams.
• Integrity and compliance: Commitment to scientific rigor, ethical engagement, patient welfare, and applicable industry regulations.

Work Environment and Travel

• Remote position based in the United States.
• Requires periodic domestic travel to engage with key scientific stakeholders, attend medical congresses, and support investigator or company meetings.
• Travel expectations will vary according to clinical program needs and medical affairs priorities.
• Requires the ability to work independently while maintaining close communication with executive leadership and cross-functional colleagues.

Measures of Success

Success in this role will be demonstrated by:

• Establishing a strong and productive network of relevant external scientific experts.
• Delivering high-quality, compliant scientific engagement aligned with medical affairs priorities.
• Providing timely, actionable field insights that inform clinical development and organizational decision-making.
• Supporting effective scientific communication across investigational programs and therapeutic areas.
• Building scalable medical affairs capabilities that support the organization's growth and development objectives.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and scientifically rigorous workplace. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and organizational needs, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

Recommended positioning

For this particular organization and reporting structure, I would position this as a hands-on, strategically oriented MSL rather than a traditional field-only medical affairs role.

• Direct COO reporting: Emphasize executive visibility, cross-functional coordination, and the ability to turn external scientific insights into organizational strategy.

• Gene-editing expertise: Prioritize candidates with backgrounds in genome engineering, genetic medicines, molecular biology, or advanced therapeutics.

• Early-stage adaptability: Look for someone who can establish scientific relationships and help build medical affairs capabilities without requiring a large established team.

• Clinical development focus: Include investigator engagement and clinical program support while preserving the independent, non-promotional nature of the MSL function.