Medical Science Liaison

Company Overview:

Protara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to advancing transformative therapies for people with cancer and rare diseases. Protara’s portfolio includes its lead candidate, TARA-002, an investigational cell-based therapy in development for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and lymphatic malformations (LMs). The Company is evaluating TARA-002 in an ongoing Phase 2 trial in NMIBC patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) who are unresponsive or naïve to treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), as well as a Phase 2 trial in pediatric patients with LMs. Additionally, Protara is developing IV Choline Chloride, an investigational phospholipid substrate replacement for patients on parenteral support who are otherwise unable to meet their choline needs via oral or enteral routes.

Protara was named one of the Best Places to Work by BioSpace, a leading industry news and job source. This honor demonstrates the company’s desirability in the recruitment marketplace, looking at various merits with an emphasis on culture, career growth and development opportunities, leadership and innovation.  Attracting and retaining top talent is integral to building a successful company in biotech, and we are committed to ensuring Protara provides our employees with an exceptional experience throughout their careers, even as we continue to grow.

Job Overview: 

As our Medical Science Liaison (MSL), you’ll be part of our field-based medical team, reporting to the Director of Medical Science Liaisons.  The rare disease/oncology focused MSL develops on-going professional relationships with national and regional healthcare opinion leaders and other healthcare professionals in the hospital, institutional or clinical setting to provide medical and scientific support for company initiatives for TARA-002 (Lymphatic Malformations and NMIBC/oncology) and IV Choline Chloride.

Territories:

Arizona, Nevada, Utah

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify and engage with top hospital-based clinicians and researchers to understand scientific needs and gather insights that support Protara strategies.
• Clinical Support: The MSL provides crucial, evidence-based data, and shares up-to-date treatment guidelines with hospital staff.
• Develop and maintain scientific, clinical, and technical expertise in Protara’s rare disease and uro-oncology portfolio through ongoing training and self-education, including attendance at relevant conferences, scientific workshops, and review of key publications and resources.
• Build territory plans for assigned geographies to include strategies and tactics for engagement with HCPs/key opinion leaders (KOLs) at their respective institutions and medical congresses.
• Support clinical trial execution including recruitment and site outreach as requested and communicate feedback to the Clinical Operations and Clinical Development teams.  Work collaboratively with Clinical Operations and Clinical Development teams as requested.
• Identify, establish, and maintain collaborative relationships with key investigators, institutional leaders, medical groups, and consortia.
• Provide scientific evidence and clinical trial information to healthcare professionals, clinical trial staff, and payors in a clear, scientifically accurate, and balanced manner.
• Increase awareness in the medical community of the company and enhance company interaction with thought leaders.
• Assist in training of new hire MSLs and, as appropriate. This will include assisting in design and implementation of effective training curricula and field resources that will promote the company’s reputation as a patient-oriented and science-driven organization; a reliable source of balanced medical information; and a partner in education and research with health care providers (HCPs) engaged in treating patients with rare and oncologic diseases.
• Support the development and implementation of advisory boards and other scientific meetings. Present scientific data at these forums as requested.
• Monitor the competitive landscape for specific therapeutic areas of interest to the company including current disease management strategies, approved products, new/emerging therapies, and differentiating features of approved/emerging competitor products. Contribute to CI plan for medical congresses. Communicate insights back to the company in an effective manner, especially those that may pertain to ongoing and planned clinical trials.
• Execute MSL activities with adherence to all related policies and standard operating procedures, and with regulatory and other ethical guidelines relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.
• Address unsolicited medical questions related to clinical trials, Investigator Initiated Research Studies, and other scientific exchange.

Qualifications:

• Advanced clinical/science degree or professional credentials required (MD/DO, PhD, PharmD, PA, NP, RN).
• 3-5+ years of experience in the biotech, start up or pharmaceutical industry, preferably in Medical Affairs, with 3+ years’ MSL experience and working with internal cross-functional teams.
• Oncology and rare disease experience are required.
• Must have experience in a hospital, institutional or clinical/pharmacy setting.
• Drive for personal excellence and accountability; set these expectations for the field team and promote the same for Medical Affairs colleagues.
• Business/enterprise mindset.
• Possess creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Strong organizational and business planning skills, including development of strategic plans and budgets, and adherence to targets.
• Ability to interact and communicate openly and effectively with Management, team members, HCPs/TLs, nurse coordinators and other clinical trial site staff, and payors. Experience conducting formal scientific presentations.
• Strong analytical skills, especially regarding understanding and interpreting scientific and clinical research and literature are essential.
• Adept, nimble, energetic, and comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative environment.
• Capable of, and motivated by, taking a hands-on approach and "rolling up one's sleeves."
• Extensive travel (up to approx. 60%, US and international) with possible weekend congress obligations.

Physical Demands:  

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

 Average travel for this position is 50% with some variations based on the demands of the business needs.

• Must be willing to travel to clinical trial sites, vendors as applicable, and New York City office as needed.

Work Environment: 

 The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• No specific work demands.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

*Salary Requirements are between $195,000-$220,000.  There is flexibility regarding salary based on years of experience and qualifications. We offer a competitive Compensation & Benefits package including incentive bonus, equity compensation, matching 401(k), medical, dental, vision, commuter, and fertility benefits.

Why You’ll Love Working at Protara

• Friendly, open, and fun team-oriented culture that values unique & diverse perspectives.
• Company-wide dedication to profoundly impacting patients’ lives.
• Amazing culture whereby our core values and behaviors are shared cross-functionally.
• Flexible working hours/schedule.
• Generous Paid Holidays and Unlimited PTO.

Protara is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. Protara is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed in policy and in practice to recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, sex or gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.