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Scholar Rock
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Medical Director/Sr Director, Clinical Research

Medical AffairsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$250k-$350k

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Scholar Rock is delivering muscle-targeted breakthroughs to transform the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other rare neuromuscular diseases where muscle atrophy remains a critical unmet need.

As a global leader in myostatin biology, a field focused on proteins that regulate muscle mass, the biopharmaceutical company is named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures. Our commitment to unlock fundamentally different treatment approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients through its highly innovative anti-myostatin program, including opportunities in additional rare neuromuscular diseases. Learn more about our neuromuscular franchise at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock on X and on LinkedIn.

Summary of Position

The (Senior) Medical Director, reporting to the VP, Clinical Research, will be a member of the clinical research team, accountable for driving clinical development activities for assigned pipeline products. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing medical leadership for clinical development activities in alignment with corporate strategy. This position requires a highly motivated physician scientist with hands-on expertise in advancing product candidates to deliver life-changing medicines.

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Position Responsibilities

Provide medical leadership for clinical development activities of assigned pipeline products, including leading efforts to define clinical development strategy and plan

Collaborate with other members of the development and research teams to contribute to building a collaborative culture and improving effectiveness of the development team

Serve as subject matter expert, leading efforts to provide scientifically robust evaluation of development strategy and plans, including robust literature review to perform disease area assessment, development landscape analysis, and development and regulatory pathway evaluation

Engage with external scientific and clinical trial experts, clinical and regulatory consultants, to develop scientifically robust clinical study design

Provide hands-on authoring of clinical and regulatory documents, including study concepts, protocols, investigator brochures, regulatory documents, publications, etc.

Serve as lead author in clinical responses to regulatory authorities, related to review of protocols, INDs, BLA/MAA/JNDA, and other regulatory filings

Provide medical leadership and input in cross-functional team activities, including business development activities, non-clinical development, quality assurance, clinical operations, biostatistics, regulatory affairs and drug safety

Responsible for medical oversight of clinical trials, including medical monitoring of studies, adverse event reporting, and patient safety for all clinical trials across a development program.

Provide medical and scientific leadership in data analysis and interpretation, maintaining integrity, scientific rigor, and transparency

Work within compliance to all applicable GCP/ ICH regulations

Candidate Requirements

  • MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent, based in greater Boston
  • Ability to be present regularly in the Cambridge MA office

Strong critical thinking skills, with ability to synthesize complex information, and exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written

5+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with 3+ years of clinical development experience; neuromuscular or rare disease experience preferred but not required

Highly organized, outcome-oriented, self-motivated team player with strong interpersonal skills and effective conflict management skills

Experience in innovative clinical study design, analysis of clinical data, publications, and working knowledge of biostatistics and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics

  • Understanding of the drug development process from pre-IND through BLA
  • Experience interacting with health authorities in the US and EU
  • In-depth knowledge of ICH-GCP and other application regulatory guidelines
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally (~15%)

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$250,000 - $350,000 a year

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Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Key Responsibilities

The Medical Director will provide medical leadership for clinical development activities and define clinical development strategies for assigned pipeline products. They are responsible for medical oversight of clinical trials, including study design, data interpretation, and regulatory document authorship.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent degree and possess at least 5 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, including 3 years in clinical development. The role requires strong critical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to work regularly from the Cambridge, MA office.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Neuromuscular diseaseRegulatory strategyProtocol developmentScientific writingCross-functional leadership

Medical Affairs — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$300k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $284k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

Living in Cambridge

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1,386k
Typical market rent
$3,476/mo
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.3
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Scholar Rock

Biotechnology
Cambridge, Massachusetts
201-500 employees