Associate Medical Director, Clinical Development - Job ID: 1912, 1913, 1914
Ascendis Pharma
August 18, 2026
On-site
Palo Alto, CA
$255,000 - $265,000 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Associate Medical Director (Clinical Development)
Key Responsibilities
- Leverage medical expertise to promote relevance and rigor of the development program
- For clinical trials: design, provide medical oversight, and support site and subject retention
- Serve as a Medical Monitor; ensure study integrity; track accumulating safety and efficacy data
- Provide leadership to study teams
- Ensure completion of trial-related documents (protocols, investigator brochures, medical monitoring plans, site training materials, clinical study reports, health authority responses, SOPs, etc.) with cross-functional teams
- Anticipate obstacles and implement solutions
- Analyze, evaluate, interpret, and report study results
- Contribute to drafting/reviewing clinical documents, manuscripts, presentations, and regulatory submissions
- Contribute to design of the Clinical Development Plan
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of science, good clinical practices, and regulatory guidance
- Collaborate with cross-functional colleagues; cultivate relationships with sites/consultants/KOLs
- Contribute to corporate strategic and organizational initiatives; assist with commercial activities as needed
- Adhere to rigorous ethical standards
- Travel up to 20%
Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Experience)
- M.D. degree
- ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship (strongly preferred)
- Physician licensure in at least one state (strongly preferred)
- Board-certified (strongly preferred); endocrinology specialty highly desired
- 3+ years industry experience (relevant post-graduate experience may be considered)
- 2+ years experience with clinical trial design and execution
- Strong scientific/clinical inquiry; excellent written/oral communication
- Learn quickly; follow complex directions under pressure; stay organized and detail-oriented
- Lead directly and by example; initiative and problem-solving; sound judgment for confidential/regulated information
Benefits
- 401(k) with company match; medical/dental/vision; life/AD&D; short/long-term disability; pet and legal insurance; EAP; employee discounts; professional development; HSA/FSA; incentive compensation; accident/critical illness/hospital indemnity; mental health resources; paid parental leave
Key Responsibilities
- Leverage medical expertise to promote relevance and rigor of the development program
- For clinical trials: design, provide medical oversight, and support site and subject retention
- Serve as a Medical Monitor; ensure study integrity; track accumulating safety and efficacy data
- Provide leadership to study teams
- Ensure completion of trial-related documents (protocols, investigator brochures, medical monitoring plans, site training materials, clinical study reports, health authority responses, SOPs, etc.) with cross-functional teams
- Anticipate obstacles and implement solutions
- Analyze, evaluate, interpret, and report study results
- Contribute to drafting/reviewing clinical documents, manuscripts, presentations, and regulatory submissions
- Contribute to design of the Clinical Development Plan
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of science, good clinical practices, and regulatory guidance
- Collaborate with cross-functional colleagues; cultivate relationships with sites/consultants/KOLs
- Contribute to corporate strategic and organizational initiatives; assist with commercial activities as needed
- Adhere to rigorous ethical standards
- Travel up to 20%
Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Experience)
- M.D. degree
- ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship (strongly preferred)
- Physician licensure in at least one state (strongly preferred)
- Board-certified (strongly preferred); endocrinology specialty highly desired
- 3+ years industry experience (relevant post-graduate experience may be considered)
- 2+ years experience with clinical trial design and execution
- Strong scientific/clinical inquiry; excellent written/oral communication
- Learn quickly; follow complex directions under pressure; stay organized and detail-oriented
- Lead directly and by example; initiative and problem-solving; sound judgment for confidential/regulated information
Benefits
- 401(k) with company match; medical/dental/vision; life/AD&D; short/long-term disability; pet and legal insurance; EAP; employee discounts; professional development; HSA/FSA; incentive compensation; accident/critical illness/hospital indemnity; mental health resources; paid parental leave