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Medical Director, Clinical Development - Job ID: 1930

Ascendis Pharma A/S

Listing collected from Ascendis Pharma A/S's career site. NextChapter is independent of Ascendis Pharma A/S.

Palo Alto, CA · Posted October 2, 2026

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About the job

Ascendis Pharma is a dynamic, fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Europe, and the United States. Today, we're advancing programs in Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology.

Here at Ascendis, we pride ourselves on exceptional science, visionary leadership, and skilled and passionate colleagues.

Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we use our TransCon® drug development platform to fulfill our mission of developing new and potentially best-in-class therapies to address unmet medical needs.

Our culture fosters a place where skilled, adaptable, and highly resourceful professionals can truly make their mark. We offer a dynamic workplace for employees to grow and develop their skills.

The Medical Director is involved in the design, monitoring, data analysis, and interpretation of the Company’s late-phase clinical trials in endocrinology. As such, the Medical Director is an important and visible member of the clinical development team. The Medical Director position is based in the United States and will report to the Vice President, Clinical Science.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to formulation and implementation of the Clinical Development Plan

Leverage medical expertise and hands-on clinical experience to promote relevance and rigor of the development program

For clinical trials: design, provide overall oversight, and support site and subject retention

Serve as a Medical Monitor for clinical trials, ensure study integrity, and track accumulating safety and efficacy data

Provide leadership to teams of medical monitors

Provide leadership to study teams

Ensure successful completion of trial-related documents (including clinical trial protocols, investigator brochures, medical monitoring plans, site training materials, clinical study reports, health authority responses, standard operating procedures, etc.) with cross-functional team members

Ensure study integrity, and track accumulating safety and efficacy data

Analyze, evaluate, interpret, and report clinical data

Anticipate and solve complex drug development problems

Contribute to regulatory strategy

Contribute to drafting and reviewing of clinical documents, manuscripts, presentations, and regulatory submissions

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant science, medical information, good clinical practices, and regulatory guidance

Collaborate with—and serve as a clinical research resource for—cross-functional colleagues (e.g. in clinical operations, statistics, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, health economics outcomes research, commercial, finance) to optimize product development

Contribute to (and may be asked to represent the clinical development department in) corporate strategic and organizational initiatives

Cultivate relationships with investigative sites, clinical consultants, and key opinion leaders to represent the interests of the company

Assist in portfolio management and commercial activities as needed

Complete assigned tasks thoroughly, accurately, and on time

Adhere to rigorous ethical standards

Travel up to 20% domestically and internationally for scientific meetings

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

M.D. degree

Completion of ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship (strongly preferred)

Physician licensure in at least one state (strongly preferred)

Board-certified (strongly preferred), with specialty in endocrinology highly desired

At least 5 years of industry experience (other relevant experience e.g. post-graduate experience in the clinical and/or academic realms may also be considered on a case-by-case basis). Those with less experience may be considered for an Associate Medical Director position.

At least 3 years of experience with clinical trial design and execution

Strong track record of scientific and clinical inquiry

Possess excellent communication skills (written and oral)

Learn quickly, follow complex directions under pressure

Multi-task while remaining organized and attentive to detail

Lead both directly and by example

Work hard, be a trustworthy and collaborative team player

Take initiative and solve complex problems

Demonstrate sound judgement in terms of handling complex, confidential, and regulated information

The estimated salary range for this position is $265-295K/year. Actual salary determination is dependent on a variety of factors some of which include: experience, qualifications, and geographic location. This position may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus or an incentive compensation plan (eligibility varies based on role and position level), discretionary stock-based long-term incentives, paid time off, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance

Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits

Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Discounts

Professional Development

Health Saving Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Various incentive compensation plans

Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Mental Health resources

Paid leave benefits for new parents

Ascendis Pharma is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation. Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma Inc Human Resources team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed. If this occurs your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.