Medical Director, Clinical Development

Absci is a data-first AI drug creation company designing differentiated therapeutics using generative AI. Our Integrated Drug Creation platform powers cutting-edge de novo AI models and AI lead optimization models aimed at designing better biologics against difficult-to-drug targets. 

Absci is a global company with a state-of-the-art lab and headquarters in Vancouver, WA, AI Research Lab in New York City, AI Computational Center in Serbia, and Drug Creation innovation center in Switzerland. absci.com/joinus

Medical Director, Clinical Development

Flexible ( Remote, Hybrid, or Onsite in Vancouver, WA)

 

Absci is seeking a highly skilled, entrepreneurial physician-scientist to serve as Medical Director for Clinical Development. In this pivotal role, you will act as the clinical lead for multiple programs, steering strategy and execution from early development through pivotal trials across immunology and dermatology — and, when priorities shift, additional therapeutic areas. You will shape protocol concepts, build influential KOL (Key Opinion Leader) networks, and provide expert medical oversight that accelerates our drugs to patients worldwide.

 

Responsibilities: 

Clinical Development Leadership

• Co-develop and co-own the clinical development strategy and lifecycle planning for assigned programs from a medical perspective.
• Adjust plans rapidly in response to evolving corporate priorities, scientific insights, and market conditions.

Protocol & Trial Strategy

• Lead authoring of study concepts, protocols, investigator brochures, and key clinical sections of regulatory dossiers.
• Translate high-level product concepts into efficient, innovative clinical trial designs that reduce time to market in collaboration with Translational Research.

KOL & Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify, recruit, and cultivate a global network of key opinion leaders aligned with program strategy.
• Partner with investigators, patient-advocacy groups, and advisory boards to optimize trial feasibility and relevance.

Medical Oversight

• Analyze emerging clinical data, provide medical review of tables/listings/figures, and drive data-driven decisions.
• Serve as Safety Officer as needed, ensuring participant safety and scientific integrity throughout execution.

Regulatory & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Interface with FDA, EMA, and other health authorities; craft and defend clinical development arguments.
• Collaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Translational Research, CMC, Regulatory and other functions to assure seamless program execution.

Risk Management

• Proactively surface clinical, operational, and regulatory risks; design and execute mitigation plans.
• Champion a culture of quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Medical Degree (MD or equivalent) with residency; subspecialty training in immunology, dermatology, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years’ industry experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, with a record of leading global clinical programs and authoring successful protocols.
• Demonstrated success accelerating therapies from early-stage to late development, including direct engagement with regulators.
• Expertise in clinical trial design, biostatistics fundamentals, and data interpretation.

Preferred (but not required):

• Experience with monoclonal antibodies, cytokine/immune-modulating therapies, or other biologics.
• Prior IND submission experience.
•  Familiarity with AI-enabled drug discovery or data-rich translational approaches.

How We Thrive Together: Absci’s Core  Values 

• We are one team with one finish line: As Medical Director, you will need to communicate complex scientific ideas with clarity and inspire diverse teams (We embrace our differences)
• We deliver Results: By being an agile problem-solver, you will anticipate challenges and be prepared to pivot quickly.
• We do the right thing: Building trust with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and regulators by becoming an externally facing ambassador.
• Innovate because lives depend on it: As a patient-focused clinician, you will transform cutting-edge science into life-changing medicines.