Medical Science Liaison, Ophthalmology (Pacific Northwest)

Medical Science Liaison, Ophthalmology (Pacific Northwest)

Position Summary

The Apellis MSL is a remote role focused on developing and maintaining peer-to-peer relationships with key medical experts. This role primarily supports the Apellis ophthalmology program. The MSL collaborates with physicians and other medical experts to support trial enrollment, provide program and protocol training, and ensure healthcare professionals have the most up-to-date information as the clinical development programs mature.

Territory Requirement

Candidate must reside in one of the following states: Northern California, Northern Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain peer-to-peer collaborations and relationships with key medical experts in the ophthalmology community
• Support clinical development initiatives including site identification, trial recruitment, registry, and presentation of final approved data
• Collaborate with physicians on medical affairs initiatives including publications, advisory boards, medical education opportunities, training, and speaker development
• Serve as scientific peer-to-peer resource to external disease experts and internal stakeholders
• Support the medical community with up-to-date medical information, robust disease expertise, and product information
• Communicate clinical insights on new data to Apellis Medical Affairs and inform medical strategy for the therapeutic area
• Train internal stakeholders on key scientific and medical topics in the relevant therapeutic area
• Develop an understanding of the regional landscape including specialties involved in the care of patients
• Maintain effective and appropriate communication among internal stakeholders while maintaining full compliance with relevant requirements
• Generate tactical regional plans to provide needs-based, value-added support of the medical and scientific community in line with company goals
• Use systems to strategically map, identify, profile, and prioritize thought leaders in line with the medical plan and goals
• Maintain accurate reporting and documentation of MSL activities

Education, Registration & Certification

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree (PharmD, PhD, MD, OD)

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in Medical Affairs or Medical Science role
• Robust and current clinical development experience supporting drugs to treat rare diseases; prior ophthalmology experience preferred
• Candidates must have well-established networks and active relationships with KOLs in the ophthalmology community
• Candidate must have an understanding of compliance considerations and demonstrate ability to work compliantly in a field-based role, within the medical organization, as well as across the commercial organization

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Energetically embraces responsibilities, demonstrates ability to achieve goals
• Has strong initiative, and functions well as part of a cross‑functional team
• Exhibits excellent time management
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Experience in a start‑up environment preferred
• Pro‑active team player, flexible, and ability to work in ambiguous situations

Physical Demands And Work Environment

• Office is home based
• Travel within region up to 75%
• Required travel to medical meetings, team meetings, and other group meetings (will require some weekends)

Benefits And Perks

Base salary for this role will consider multiple factors, including but not limited to candidate qualifications, relevant expertise, specialized skills, and industry experience in complement‑targeted therapies. The targeted base salary range is $170,000 – $255,000 per year. Apellis offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) plan with company match, inclusive family‑building benefits, flexible time off, summer and winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, and more!

Company Background

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company that combines courageous science and compassion to develop life‑changing therapies for some of the most challenging diseases patients face. We ushered in the first new class of complement medicine in 15 years and now have two approved medicines targeting C3, including the first and only therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness worldwide.

EEO Statement

Apellis is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local fair employment practices laws. Apellis strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, marital status, AIDS/HIV status, smoker/nonsmoker, and occupational pneumoconiosis or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.