Associate Medical Director, Clinical Development - Job ID: 1912, 1913, 1914

Ascendis Pharma

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Palo Alto, California, US on site Until 8/22/2026 3+ years exp First posted June 14, 2026 Last posted June 14, 2026
Job description

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

Key Responsibilities

  • Leverage medical expertise and hands-on clinical experience 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 for clinical trials, ensure study integrity, and track accumulating safety and efficacy data
  • 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
  • Anticipate obstacles within a clinical trial, and implement solutions
  • Analyze, evaluate, interpret, and report study results
  • Contribute to drafting and reviewing clinical documents, manuscripts, presentations, and regulatory submissions
  • Contribute to design of the Clinical Development Plan
  • 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 to optimize product development
  • Cultivate relationships with investigative sites, clinical consultants, and key opinion leaders to represent the interests of the company
  • Contribute to corporate strategic and organizational initiatives
  • Assist with 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 3 years of industry (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).
  • At least 2 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 $255-265K/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

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.

About this role

Summary

Design, oversee, and analyze clinical trials in endocrinology; lead teams and ensure compliance.

Job title

Associate Medical Director, Clinical Development

Experience level

3+ years

Minimum experience

3+ years exp

Industry

biopharmaceuticals

Location requirements

Palo Alto, CA, remote work not specified

Salary

$255k–$265k

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

MDclinical trial designmedical monitoringregulatory knowledge

Preferred skills

endocrinologyboard-certifiedphysician licensure

Specializations

endocrinologyclinical trial designclinical development
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Palo Alto, CA, USA

On-site City