Scientific Director Jobs
Scientific Director jobs are open across biopharma, academic research, diagnostics, and contract research organizations, from senior scientist to executive level, with specializations in clinical development, translational research, and regulatory science. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
The Scientific Director provides medical and scientific input into medical market access payer, group purchasing organizations, health systems, guidelines, and pathways oncology scientific objectives and tactics for healthcare access decision makers. Develops and executes medical market access activities such as payer/healthcare access decision maker strategies, educational initiatives (medical education, data, guidelines, pathways, and value proposition), and translates payer/HCMD insights into . Works cross functionally in a highly matrixed environment with commercial, HEOR and medical affairs teams to provide strategic payer/HCDM input into brand strategies and shape integrated holistic value evidence plan .
- Leads development of medical affairs payer/HCDM strategy for the assigned therapeutic area and assets, translating the clinical, economic, humanistic, and real-world evidence into a differentiated value narrative that shapes access strategy, brand and portfolio priorities, and enterprise decisions.
- Actively participates in relevant cross functional brand, medical affairs and market access teams to provide medical, scientific, pharmaeconomic, and healthcare landscape input into portfolio and product strategies, influences without authority in a matrixed environment.
- Leads development and approval of medical affairs access/HCDM field and omnichannel materials.
- Leads and delivers training to the Medical Outcomes Science Liaison teams
- Partners on the development of integrated evidence plan with Medical Affairs, HEOR to support scientific and business strategy aligned to Medical Affairs Evidence Gaps;
- Develops strategy for payer/HCDM collaborative customer research, thought-leadership forums, and external partnerships aligned with therapeutic area and AbbVie objectives in partnership with HEOR and medical affairs.
- Monitors scientific, health economic, access and healthcare policy trends through conferences, insights gathering and external engagement; proactively provide and provide proactive inputs into portfolio, therapeutic area and brand strategies.
- Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies and procedures. Responsible for understanding the legal and regulatory requirements as well as the healthcare landscape and accountable for complying with those requirements. Serves as the scientific team interface for key regulatory, OEC and Legal discussions.
- May assist with the scientific review, development, execution and communication of medical affairs sponsored or supported RWE research activities.
- Lead cross functional and functional sub teams responsible for discrete projects within the therapeutic area.
Qualifications
- Advanced Education PhD, PharmD, PA, NP highly preferred. Residency or additional post doctorate highly preferred.
- Typically 8 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry or equivalent; substantial understanding of managed care required and pharmacoeconomic experience preferred.
- Management and leadership experience at project level, experience with strategic initiatives and issues. Proven leadership skills in a cross-functional environment. International experience is a plus.
- Ability to interact externally and internally to support global business strategy. Ability to advance RWE studies or medical affairs directed research independently with little supervision. Knowledge of statistical methodology, regulatory requirements governing RWE and experience in development strategy and the design of RWE protocols.
- Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Works mostly independently with limited guidance.
.Hybrid position based in one of our locations.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
The Scientific Director provides medical and scientific input into medical market access payer, group purchasing organizations, health systems, guidelines, and pathways oncology scientific objectives and tactics for healthcare access decision makers. Develops and executes medical market access activities such as payer/healthcare access decision maker strategies, educational initiatives (medical education, data, guidelines, pathways, and value proposition), and translates payer/HCMD insights into . Works cross functionally in a highly matrixed environment with commercial, HEOR and medical affairs teams to provide strategic payer/HCDM input into brand strategies and shape integrated holistic value evidence plan .
- Leads development of medical affairs payer/HCDM strategy for the assigned therapeutic area and assets, translating the clinical, economic, humanistic, and real-world evidence into a differentiated value narrative that shapes access strategy, brand and portfolio priorities, and enterprise decisions.
- Actively participates in relevant cross functional brand, medical affairs and market access teams to provide medical, scientific, pharmaeconomic, and healthcare landscape input into portfolio and product strategies, influences without authority in a matrixed environment.
- Leads development and approval of medical affairs access/HCDM field and omnichannel materials.
- Leads and delivers training to the Medical Outcomes Science Liaison teams
- Partners on the development of integrated evidence plan with Medical Affairs, HEOR to support scientific and business strategy aligned to Medical Affairs Evidence Gaps;
- Develops strategy for payer/HCDM collaborative customer research, thought-leadership forums, and external partnerships aligned with therapeutic area and AbbVie objectives in partnership with HEOR and medical affairs.
- Monitors scientific, health economic, access and healthcare policy trends through conferences, insights gathering and external engagement; proactively provide and provide proactive inputs into portfolio, therapeutic area and brand strategies.
- Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies and procedures. Responsible for understanding the legal and regulatory requirements as well as the healthcare landscape and accountable for complying with those requirements. Serves as the scientific team interface for key regulatory, OEC and Legal discussions.
- May assist with the scientific review, development, execution and communication of medical affairs sponsored or supported RWE research activities.
- Lead cross functional and functional sub teams responsible for discrete projects within the therapeutic area.
Qualifications
- Advanced Education PhD, PharmD, PA, NP highly preferred. Residency or additional post doctorate highly preferred.
- Typically 8 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry or equivalent; substantial understanding of managed care required and pharmacoeconomic experience preferred.
- Management and leadership experience at project level, experience with strategic initiatives and issues. Proven leadership skills in a cross-functional environment. International experience is a plus.
- Ability to interact externally and internally to support global business strategy. Ability to advance RWE studies or medical affairs directed research independently with little supervision. Knowledge of statistical methodology, regulatory requirements governing RWE and experience in development strategy and the design of RWE protocols.
- Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Works mostly independently with limited guidance.
.Hybrid position based in one of our locations.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
See All 79 Scientific Director Jobs
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Find Scientific Director JobsScientific Director Job Market
Who's Hiring
- AbbVie13
- Merck5
- BGBx3
- Amgen3
- The Lockwood3
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in scientific director jobs.
- PhD in life sciences, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field
- Ten or more years of research experience with at least three in a leadership role
- Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional scientific teams
- Deep knowledge of regulatory requirements including FDA submissions and GxP standards
- Strong publication record or patent portfolio in a relevant therapeutic or technical area
- Experience overseeing external collaborations, CROs, or academic partnerships
Tips for Your Scientific Director Job Search
Tailor your resume to pipeline stage
Hiring managers want to see where your programs landed, not just your responsibilities. Specify whether you led projects through IND, Phase I, or NDA submission, and name the therapeutic area. Vague descriptions of oversight get filtered out quickly at this level.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists scientific director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Distinguish strategic from bench leadership
Many postings split between directors who run labs and those who set scientific strategy for a portfolio. Read each job description closely for language like 'cross-functional alignment' or 'external partnerships' to know which type you're applying to and pitch yourself accordingly.
Prepare a scientific narrative for interviews
Panels at the director level probe how you think across disciplines, not just your domain expertise. Practice explaining a research decision you made that required weighing incomplete data, regulatory constraints, and resource trade-offs together, in under three minutes.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
Before accepting an offer, clarify headcount authority, budget ownership, and whether the role has a seat at portfolio review meetings. Directors hired into advisory-only positions with no direct reports often find upward mobility blocked within two years.
Target postings with named therapeutic areas
Openings that list a specific disease area, such as oncology, rare disease, or CNS, signal an active program rather than a backfill. Aligning your application materials to the program's current phase and competitive landscape shows you've done more than read the job description.
Scientific Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most scientific directors?
The companies hiring the most scientific directors right now include AbbVie, Merck, and BGBx, with the largest share of openings in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Biopharma and diagnostics companies account for the majority of active postings at this level.
How many scientific director jobs are remote?
About 83% of scientific director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements more common in regulatory affairs, bioinformatics, and medical writing-focused director roles than in those requiring direct lab oversight or hands-on program management at a physical site.
How do you become a scientific director?
Most scientific directors follow a path from postdoctoral research or early industry roles through senior scientist and principal scientist positions before stepping into director-level work. Building a record of independent scientific contributions, then demonstrating program ownership and cross-functional influence, is what moves candidates from individual contributor to director. Formal management experience, even on a small team, is often the deciding factor when companies evaluate readiness.
How do you get hired as a scientific director with limited leadership experience?
If you haven't held a formal director title, emphasize instances where you led a project, coordinated across departments, or mentored junior scientists without an official mandate. Companies launching a new therapeutic area or spinning up a research function sometimes hire strong scientists into director roles specifically to build the team, making those postings more accessible to candidates stepping up for the first time.
What does the scientific director interview process look like?
Most processes begin with a recruiter screen, followed by a hiring manager conversation focused on scientific background and leadership philosophy. A presentation to a scientific panel, often called a research seminar or chalk talk, is standard and typically requires you to present past work and a forward-looking vision for the program. Final rounds usually involve meetings with cross-functional peers in regulatory, clinical, or commercial and a conversation with senior leadership before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to scientific director jobs?
You can find and apply to scientific director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that fit your background, then apply directly to each one that matches your experience and interests.
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