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Senior Medical Science Liaison - West Region (Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Mountain States {Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming})

Cogent Biosciences Inc.
16 days ago
Full-time
Remote
Worldwide
Medical Affairs

Who We Are:

Cogent Biosciences is a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on developing novel precision therapies to treat a broad range of patients with unmet medical needs. Cogent’s lead program, bezuclastinib, is designed to selectively and potently inhibit exon 17 mutations found within the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, including KIT D816V. KIT D816V is responsible for driving a rare and serious condition called Systemic Mastocytosis, and exon 17 mutations are also found in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a type of cancer with strong dependence on oncogenic KIT signaling. Bezuclastinib has exhibited promising initial data across all three trials: APEX in AdvSM, SUMMIT in NonAdvSM and PEAK in GIST, including an encouraging safety profile across 600+ patients in single agent and combination dosing. 

The Role: The Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL) will serve as a senior field-based scientific expert supporting Cogent Biosciences’ lead program, bezuclastinib. This role focuses on scientific engagement across oncology (solid tumors/sarcoma, including Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor [GIST]), hematology/oncology (Non-Advanced and Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis), and allergy/immunology (Non-Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis) within the assigned territory.

The Senior MSL will collaborate with cross-functional partners to develop strategic, scientifically aligned regional business plans that support corporate objectives. The Senior MSL will mentor colleagues, work closely with Field Medical Affairs Area Directors and Medical Strategy, and ensure consistency in scientific communication nationally. This role will also contribute to ongoing education for Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, and Commercial teams. Maintaining alignment in field scientific discourse is essential to ensuring accurate communication of key data and scientific messages.

The Senior MSL serves as a leader on the designated regional team and plays a critical role in fostering unified communication and collaboration across all external-facing functions, including commercial and patient advocacy. The Senior MSL will also promote and support consistency across the MSL team, share best practices, and guide prioritization of insights and administrative deliverables.  The Senior MSL is Field Leader/Strategic Advisor that requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to influence without authority.  The Senior MSL ensures that field strategies and tactics are supported by robust, fair-balanced scientific data. 

The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated by improving the lives of patients with unmet medical needs. This is an exceptional opportunity to join Cogent during a transformative period as the organization leads scientific exchange, engages with KOLs and HCPs, and advances our clearly differentiated, next-generation therapy for patients affected across the spectrum of NonAdvanced and Advanced SM and the potential for a paradigm shift of a new standard of care for second-line treatment of imatinib resistant or intolerant GIST patients. 

Responsibilities:

  • Manage the assigned territory as a scientific and medical expert in GIST and Systemic Mastocytosis.
  • Help shape marketing strategy by translating complex scientific data into actionable clinical insights, identifying unmet needs through KOL engagement, and mapping the therapeutic landscape to guide product positioning.
  • Support strategic priorities developed in collaboration with Medical Affairs and Patient Advocacy, aligned with corporate goals and ongoing clinical development and commercialization activities.
  • Develop and execute a territory strategy aligned with regional business objectives while ensuring compliant, accurate, data-driven scientific exchange.
  • Lead scientific engagement with thought leaders, subject matter experts, investigators, and HCPs to gather insights on clinical practice, scientific developments, and competitive trends. Cultivate peer-to-peer relationships with top-tier scientific and medical experts (KOLs).
  • Build and maintain a strong network of experts; implement thought-leader development plans; increase awareness of Cogent, bezuclastinib, and the pipeline.
  • Facilitate investigator-initiated research and real-world evidence proposals aligned with the Lifecycle Management Team.
  • Support the Market Access team in delivering educational programs and resources on an as needed basis.
  • Support Clinical Development to identify clinical trial sites as needed.
  • Collaborate with Research and Scientific Affairs to identify and engage KOLs with interest in pipeline programs as needed.
  • Demonstrate proactive, innovative thinking to support regional and corporate objectives.
  • Maintain required training and adhere to all compliance standards for scientific interactions and safety reporting.
  • Develop and implement educational outreach strategies including advisory boards, lunch-and-learns, roundtables, grand rounds, and encore presentations.
  • Support scientific congresses through booth staffing, session coverage, competitive intelligence gathering, and meeting coordination.
  • Monitor competitive activities and trends; communicate insights across U.S. and global teams.
  • Lead onboarding and ongoing training for new Medical Affairs, Commercial, and cross-functional colleagues.
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative culture.
  • Complete administrative tasks accurately and on time; ensure consistent CRM documentation and insights reporting.
  • Travel up to approximately 80% within the assigned territory.

Qualifications:

  • Advanced medical or scientific degree required (Master’s or Doctorate).
  • Medical professional credentials preferred (MD, DO, PhD, DNP, PharmD, etc.).
  • 7+ years of biotech or pharmaceutical Medical Affairs experience, including commercial launch experience.
  • 3+ years of hematology/oncology experience required; mastocytosis or MPN/MDS, and/or allergy/immunology experience preferred.
  • Has demonstrated success in supporting product launch(es)
  • Established relationships with KOLs and HCPs in SM and/or GIST preferred.
  • Demonstrated success collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in small- to mid-size biopharma.
  • Experience engaging relevant Market Access scientific teams preferred.
  • Strong understanding of healthcare compliance and regulatory standards.
  • Excellent analytical skills and ability to interpret scientific literature and clinical data.
  • Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Creative problem-solving ability and a solutions-oriented mindset.
  • Highly adaptable, energetic, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment.

Salary Range:

$205,000 - 240,000 USD 

Target Bonus: 20%
Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and location.
Our Locations

Waltham, MA: Our headquarters is located in the Greater Boston life sciences community, with an open, collaborative office environment designed to support teamwork and connection. Employees benefit from convenient on-site amenities, including free on-site parking and gym facilities in the building. 

Boulder, CO: Our Boulder location is home to Cogent’s discovery research organization and a key scientific hub with strong leadership based on site. Situated in the greater Denver-Boulder biopharmaceutical corridor, this office plays a central role in advancing our discovery efforts and pipeline. 

Our Offer To You 

At Cogent Biosciences, we offer a competitive salary, bonus, and ongoing stock awards, alongside a benefits package that sets us apart. We cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and your family, and help reduce out-of-pocket costs by funding up to 75% of in-network deductibles. Our benefits also include a 401(k) match with immediate vesting, generous paid time off, 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, paid family and medical leave for all employees regardless of location, and company-paid short-term disability coverage for up to 20 weeks. Additional perks like wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and inclusive family-forming support help you thrive at work and beyond. 

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. 

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