Neurocrine Biosciences logo
Neurocrine Biosciences
San Diego, California

Medical Director MD Immunology

Medical AffairsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$255k-$347k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Who We Are

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs.

We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders.

The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas.

For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science.

For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie)

At Neurocrine, strong leadership drives both business results and team success. We look for leaders who think strategically, anticipate what’s ahead and set clear direction, while building and empowering high-performing teams. Successful leaders foster an environment where people are motivated to do their best work and deliver meaningful, measurable impact through sound decision-making and accountability.

About the Role

We are building the next chapter of our clinical development portfolio and are seeking a Medical Director, Clinical Development – Immunology to help advance promising research-stage molecules toward and through early clinical development.

This is an opportunity for a Medical Director who enjoys being close to the science and the study: translating emerging biology into thoughtful clinical research strategies, designing studies that answer important development questions, and working side-by-side with colleagues across Research, Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Biostatistics, Clinical Pharmacology, Drug Safety, and other disciplines.

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Your Contributions (Include, But Are Not Limited To)

As a Medical Director, you will serve as a key physician and study-level clinical leader for assigned Immunology development programs. You will independently lead clinical studies while contributing your medical and scientific expertise to broader development strategy.

You Will

Lead the design, development, and execution of Phase 1–3 clinical studies, working closely with multidisciplinary development teams.

Develop and implement clinical study protocols and contribute to the clinical research strategy for assigned programs.

Serve as a Sponsor Medical Monitor, providing medical oversight throughout study conduct and making study-level medical and safety decisions.

Partner with Drug Safety colleagues to assess adverse events, evaluate emerging safety information, and support ongoing benefit-risk assessment.

Work closely with Clinical Operations to oversee study execution in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, applicable regulations, and company procedures.

Analyze and interpret clinical data and translate findings into clear scientific and development insights.

Contribute to clinical study reports, investigator brochures, regulatory documents, and other materials supporting clinical development and regulatory interactions.

Partner with Clinical Pharmacology, Biometrics, Translational Medicine, and Research colleagues to incorporate biomarkers and translational endpoints into development plans where appropriate.

Identify and engage clinical investigators, consultants, and external experts and build productive relationships with leaders in the Immunology community.

Bring an informed understanding of the evolving treatment landscape, standards of care, competitor activity, and emerging science to study-level development decisions.

Collaborate across Research, Product Development, Business Development, Medical Affairs, and other functions to evaluate development opportunities and inform clinical research plans.

Communicate study progress, emerging data, risks, and recommendations clearly to development teams and senior leaders.

Requirements

Typical Experience and Education

MD or DO degree with accredited residency training and board certification in a relevant clinical specialty for the therapeutic area required; and

2+ years of experience in clinical research and development (Phase 1–4) in either a pharmaceutical/biotechnology company or a clinical research/academic environment, or related experience required.

Experience That Will Help You Thrive

  • Clinical expertise in gastroenterology, dermatology, or another specialty relevant to immune-mediated disease.
  • Experience serving as a Medical Monitor and/or Study Lead for industry-sponsored clinical trials.

Demonstrated experience designing clinical studies and developing protocols, including selection of endpoints, eligibility criteria, dose strategy, and other key design elements.

Experience in early clinical development, including translating preclinical or translational findings into clinical hypotheses and development plans.

Experience working on Phase 2 or Phase 3 studies in immune-mediated diseases.

Experience interpreting emerging efficacy, safety, biomarker, and pharmacology data to inform study-level decisions.

Working knowledge of global drug-development requirements, Good Clinical Practice, and regulatory expectations for investigational therapies.

  • Experience contributing to regulatory documents and interacting with health authorities.
  • Experience engaging investigators, key external experts, CROs, and other external partners.
  • Strong understanding of the competitive and evolving treatment landscape within gastroenterology, dermatology, or Immunology more broadly.
  • The ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without relying on direct reporting authority.
  • Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer.

We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

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The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $254,600.00-$347,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills.

In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 35% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program.

Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Key Responsibilities

The Medical Director will lead the design, development, and execution of Phase 1–3 clinical studies for immunology programs. They will serve as a Sponsor Medical Monitor, providing medical oversight and ensuring study conduct aligns with regulatory standards and scientific strategy.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Medical monitoringProtocol developmentClinical study designRegulatory complianceData analysisSafety assessmentCross-functional leadershipScientific communication

Medical Affairs — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$301k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $272k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

median 4.2this job 1.5
Below most Medical Affairs listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 251 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in San Diego

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.01M≈ 4.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,036/mo≈ 14% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Neurocrine Biosciences logo

About Neurocrine Biosciences

Biotechnology Research
San Diego, California
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Annual Bonus (target 35% of base salary)
Equity Based Long Term Incentive Program
Retirement Savings Plan (with company match)
Paid Vacation
Paid Holiday
Paid Personal Days
Paid Caregiver/Parental Leave
Paid Medical Leave