Medical Science Liaison (MSL) - MRD, Southeast US/Florida

Medical Science Liaison (MSL) - Molecular Residual Disease

Location: US based: Southeast US/ FL

SAGA Diagnostics is a personalized cancer diagnostics and disease monitoring company focused on molecular genetic analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). The company's mission is to improve precision cancer medicine, provide more accurate treatment monitoring, and improve patient survival using minimally-invasive liquid biopsy cancer testing services. SAGA's proprietary tests can help patients, oncologists, and drug developers detect actionable mutations, stratify patient groups, and monitor treatment response, residual disease, and disease recurrence at unprecedented sensitivity and scale.

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) is a highly specialized role focused on advancing the scientific understanding and clinical application of MRD testing in oncology. MRD testing is used to detect the presence of molecular residual disease, which may indicate the persistence of cancer cells after treatment, potentially leading to relapse.

The MSL serves as a key scientific expert in this field, providing clinical and scientific support for MRD assays and solutions, fostering relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), clinicians, and researchers, and ensuring that MRD testing plays a pivotal role in the management of cancer patients.

As the MSL for Molecular Residual Disease, the successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping the clinical adoption and implementation of MRD testing in oncology. They will contribute to the broader mission of improving cancer patient care by offering cutting-edge diagnostic tools that enable earlier detection of disease recurrence and more precise treatment decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Scientific Expertise and Communication:
• Act as the primary scientific resource and subject matter expert for molecular residual disease testing, its clinical utility, and application in oncology.
• Communicate and disseminate cutting-edge scientific information regarding MRD testing methods (e.g., PCR, NGS, flow cytometry) and their role in patient management, recurrence detection, and treatment decision-making.
• Provide scientific support to healthcare professionals, researchers, and clinical teams regarding the latest MRD-related research, product development, and applications in oncology.
2. KOL Engagement and Relationship Building:
• Identify, engage, and establish relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), oncologists, hematologists, and other stakeholders involved in MRD research and clinical practice.
• Present scientific data, research findings, and clinical evidence related to MRD assays to KOLs, driving discussions on the clinical utility of MRD testing in various cancer types.
• Coordinate advisory boards, scientific symposia, and research collaborations with KOLs to foster ongoing dialogue and knowledge sharing.
3. Clinical and Scientific Support:
• Provide insights to internal teams (e.g., product development, regulatory, marketing, sales) regarding MRD-related scientific data, clinical studies, and market needs.
• Interpret clinical trial data, real-world evidence, and research studies related to MRD and contribute to discussions around its clinical impact, including in early- and late-stage cancer care.
• Support the design of clinical studies and post-market surveillance to evaluate the effectiveness and application of MRD testing in different oncologic settings.
4. Training and Education:
• Deliver scientific presentations, educational workshops, and training sessions to internal teams, healthcare providers, and clinical partners on MRD testing and its role in cancer monitoring and treatment.
• Ensure that medical and sales teams are equipped with comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge on MRD assays, including their clinical benefits and limitations.
• Develop and review educational materials, including scientific publications, product briefs, and clinical guides, to enhance awareness and adoption of MRD testing.
5. Scientific Data Generation and Dissemination:
• Collaborate with research and clinical teams to design and implement studies that generate data to support the clinical value of MRD testing, including clinical trials, retrospective studies, and registries.
• Work with cross-functional teams to develop scientific content for publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentation at scientific conferences, and development of abstracts and posters.
• Contribute to the creation of evidence-based materials such as white papers, case studies, and real-world data to demonstrate the clinical relevance of MRD testing in cancer management.
6. Market Intelligence:
• Monitor the evolving landscape of MRD testing, including new technologies, competitor products, clinical advancements, and regulatory changes.
• Stay informed on emerging trends in oncology and MRD-related research, particularly in areas like liquid biopsy, immuno-oncology, and companion diagnostics.
• Provide feedback and market insights to the product development and strategy teams to inform the company’s MRD-related product portfolio and future opportunities.
7. Regulatory and Compliance:
• Ensure that all scientific activities and interactions with healthcare professionals, KOLs, and regulatory bodies are compliant with company policies, legal standards, and industry regulations (e.g., FDA, EMA, HIPAA).
• Assist in preparing documentation for regulatory filings related to MRD assays, ensuring accurate representation of scientific data and clinical utility.
• Maintain a high level of scientific rigor and integrity in all communications, aligning with industry standards and best practices.

Requirements

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

• Education: Ph.D., M.D., PharmD, MS or equivalent experience within molecular biology, oncology, hematology, or a related field
• Experience:
• A minimum of 1-3 years of experience in the molecular diagnostics, oncology, or biotechnology industry.
• Previous experience as an MSL, clinical researcher, or scientific expert in oncology or hematology, particularly related to MRD testing and molecular residual disease.
• Strong knowledge of molecular diagnostic platforms used in MRD detection, including PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and other molecular assays.
• Experience with cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies, and an understanding of their relationship with MRD testing.
• Skills and Abilities:
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with KOLs, researchers, and clinicians in the oncology field.
• In-depth knowledge of oncology clinical trials, biomarkers, and emerging therapies, with an emphasis on residual disease monitoring.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on data interpretation and evidence-based decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.

Travel Requirements:

• This role requires frequent travel to meet with KOLs, attend scientific conferences, and support clinical activities. Travel may range from 25-50%, depending on regional responsibilities. US and European travel possible.

Benefits

• Team Building and Autonomy: An opportunity to build and lead a world-class bioinformatics team and contribute to groundbreaking solutions in cancer genomics.
• Early Influence in a Growing Team: As an early member of our North Carolina site, play a key role in shaping the direction and culture as we expand.
• Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary, membership in SAGA’s equity scheme, flexible working arrangements, and a dynamic startup culture with regular team events.

Primary location: Southeastern US/Field Based

SAGA Diagnostics is an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces and encourages applicants of every background.  The company’s policy regarding equal employment opportunity means that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, benefits, wage and salary administration, scheduling, disciplinary action and termination will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to hr@sagadiagnostics.com.