Ascendis Pharma logo
Ascendis Pharma
Princeton, New Jersey

Medical Director, Clinical Development - Job ID: 1930

Medical AffairsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$265k-$295k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Ascendis Pharma is a dynamic, fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Europe, and the United States. Today, we're advancing programs in Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology.

Here at Ascendis, we pride ourselves on exceptional science, visionary leadership, and skilled and passionate colleagues.

Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we use our TransCon® drug development platform to fulfill our mission of developing new and potentially best-in-class therapies to address unmet medical needs.

Our culture fosters a place where skilled, adaptable, and highly resourceful professionals can truly make their mark. We offer a dynamic workplace for employees to grow and develop their skills.

The Medical Director is involved in the design, monitoring, data analysis, and interpretation of the Company’s late-phase clinical trials in endocrinology. As such, the Medical Director is an important and visible member of the clinical development team. The Medical Director position is based in the United States and will report to the Vice President, Clinical Science.

Key Responsibilities

  • Contribute to formulation and implementation of the Clinical Development Plan
  • Leverage medical expertise and hands-on clinical experience to promote relevance and rigor of the development program
  • For clinical trials: design, provide overall oversight, and support site and subject retention
  • Serve as a Medical Monitor for clinical trials, ensure study integrity, and track accumulating safety and efficacy data
  • Provide leadership to teams of medical monitors

Provide Leadership to Study Teams

Ensure successful completion of trial-related documents (including clinical trial protocols, investigator brochures, medical monitoring plans, site training materials, clinical study reports, health authority responses, standard operating procedures, etc.) with cross-functional team members

  • Ensure study integrity, and track accumulating safety and efficacy data
  • Analyze, evaluate, interpret, and report clinical data
  • Anticipate and solve complex drug development problems

Contribute to Regulatory Strategy

Contribute to drafting and reviewing of clinical documents, manuscripts, presentations, and regulatory submissions

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant science, medical information, good clinical practices, and regulatory guidance

Collaborate with—and serve as a clinical research resource for—cross-functional colleagues (e. g. in clinical operations, statistics, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, health economics outcomes research, commercial, finance) to optimize product development

Contribute to (and may be asked to represent the clinical development department in) corporate strategic and organizational initiatives

Cultivate relationships with investigative sites, clinical consultants, and key opinion leaders to represent the interests of the company

  • Assist in portfolio management and commercial activities as needed
  • Complete assigned tasks thoroughly, accurately, and on time
  • Adhere to rigorous ethical standards
  • Travel up to 20% domestically and internationally for scientific meetings
  • Knowledge, Skills and Experience
  • M.D. degree
  • Completion of ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship (strongly preferred)
  • Physician licensure in at least one state (strongly preferred)
  • Board-certified (strongly preferred), with specialty in endocrinology highly desired

At least 5 years of industry experience (other relevant experience e. g. post-graduate experience in the clinical and/or academic realms may also be considered on a case-by-case basis). Those with less experience may be considered for an Associate Medical Director position.

  • At least 3 years of experience with clinical trial design and execution
  • Strong track record of scientific and clinical inquiry
  • Possess excellent communication skills (written and oral)
  • Learn quickly, follow complex directions under pressure
  • Multi-task while remaining organized and attentive to detail
  • Lead both directly and by example
  • Work hard, be a trustworthy and collaborative team player
  • Take initiative and solve complex problems
  • Demonstrate sound judgement in terms of handling complex, confidential, and regulated information

The estimated salary range for this position is $265-295K/year. Actual salary determination is dependent on a variety of factors some of which include: experience, qualifications, and geographic location. This position may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus or an incentive compensation plan (eligibility varies based on role and position level), discretionary stock-based long-term incentives, paid time off, and a comprehensive benefits package.

  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
  • Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
  • Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Discounts
  • Professional Development
  • Health Saving Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Various incentive compensation plans
  • Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Mental Health resources

Paid Leave Benefits for New Parents

Ascendis Pharma is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

A Note to Recruiters

We do not allow external search party solicitation. Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma Inc Human Resources team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed. If this occurs your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an M.D. degree with at least 5 years of industry experience and 3 years of clinical trial design experience. Board certification in endocrinology is highly desired, along with strong scientific inquiry and leadership skills.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
5+ years of experience

Certifications

Board Certification (preferred)

Key Skills

Project managementSafety data trackingProtocol developmentCross-functional collaboration

Medical Affairs — Physician Career Context

Medical Affairs pay on WeekdayDoc is down 6.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$280k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $257k in an average-cost state. 63.8% of New Jersey clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

median 4.2this job 3.0
Better work-life than 30% of Medical Affairs listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 233 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Princeton

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$801k≈ 3.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,456/mo≈ 16% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.2
State income tax
Up to 10.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Ascendis Pharma logo

About Ascendis Pharma

Biotechnology Research
Hellerup, Capital Region of Denmark
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

401(k) plan with company match
Medical, dental, and vision plans
Life and AD&D insurance
Short and long-term disability benefits
Pet Insurance
Legal Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Discounts