Director - Scientific Affairs

DIRECTOR-SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS

Columbia, Maryland

 

Job Code:                   04-242

Department:           Scientific Affairs

Reports To:             Vice President – Commercial

FLSA Status:           Exempt

 

COMPANY:

Martek Biosciences Corporation (NASDAQ: MATK), a local biotech company, is a leader in the innovation and development of DHA omega-3 products that promote health and wellness through every stage of life. The company’s flagship products are life'sDHA™, a sustainable and vegetarian source of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) for use in foods, beverages, infant formula, and supplements; and life'sARA™, an omega-6 fatty acid produced from fungus. ARA (arachidonic acid) is the primary omega-6 fatty acid in the brain and is important for proper infant brain development and physical growth.



 

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will advocate the Company’s products and product candidates with in the scientific community.  The candidate will work with Marketing and Commercial groups to communicate health benefits to customers and potential customers.  Responsibilities will include keeping abreast of scientific literature relating to the Company’s current and future products; supporting Regulatory Affairs in maintaining and expanding product approvals, supporting external research to adopt new Company products; and identifying new clinical development opportunities for existing products and new product opportunities for licensing or acquisition.

 

This position requires an individual to be equally comfortable in scientific and business environments, with the ability to effectively communicate the needs and expectations of each to the other. This individual will be acting as an advocate for the Company where appropriate within the scientific community.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1.            Advise senior management and Marketing on scientific and clinical matters that impact the Company’s operation.  Responsible for developing well-rounded positions regarding scientific and clinical matters and marshalling support in the scientific community for the Company’s position.

2.            Provide scientific data and analysis for Marketing and/or Medical Director in support of customer presentations, product promotional material, medical community presentations and forums, and scientific conferences.  Present product benefits and clinical research information to existing and prospective customers at the request of Marketing.  Organize symposia as necessary to support awareness of benefits of company products as required by Marketing.

3.            Provide thorough scientific data and analysis for Regulatory Affairs filings to various regulatory authorities.  With Regulatory Affairs, define and execute strategies to promote adoption of products in various markets and respond to challenges that may limit or harm the company’s marketing opportunity.

4.            Represent Martek to external scientific and clinical research communities on the national and international level.  Keep current with scientific literature and attend scientific and medical conferences and symposia to keep abreast of new clinical and technical developments/opportunities of interest to the Company.

5.            Develop and maintain relationships with thought leaders, potential partners and collaborators in the academic, nonprofit and corporate sectors.  As requested by Marketing, establish ad hoc or standing expert panels or networks to advise Company of current developments, new opportunities and clinical research protocols in target product and health benefit areas including: fatty acids and lipids, cardiovascular/dyslipidemia, neural system development and neural degenerative disease.

6.            Identify new compounds, nutrients, formulations or blends for clinical development and/or new clinical indications for existing products.

7.            Review and provide scientific advice relating to clinical protocols, study reports, manuscripts and regulatory documents/correspondences, ensuring that the Company’s position and the science are properly presented.  Review, and co-author as necessary, scientific manuscripts for publication.

8.            Make senior level technical/scientific and clinical presentations on behalf of the Company.

9.            Participate in the development of the Company’s clinical development strategies through membership on the Research/Marketing Committee.

10.         Work with Business Development to identify and assess externally developed products, particularly those in the pre-commercial stage, and negotiate licensing and/or acquisition agreements where appropriate.



Supervisory Responsibilities:      

1.            Manage the performance and development of several scientific affairs staff members and any outside consultants or contract service providers who may be engaged as part of this role.

 

Qualifications:

1.            PhD degree in scientific discipline required accompanied by a minimum of 8 years professional industry experience. 

2.            Detailed knowledge of pre-clinical and clinical research progress.  Knowledge of Martek’s products and related science highly desirable

3.            Excellent presentation skills, able to interact with senior officers and management staff inside and outside of the company

4.            Able to work as part of a cross-functional team providing support with regard to all aspects of scientific affairs

5.            Strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills required

6.            Must be a highly motivated, professional individual able to work independently and in teams

7.            Able to travel internationally at least 25% of the time

 

 

Physical Demands:

 

N (N/A)  A (1 – 25%)  B (26 – 50%)  C (51 – 75%)  D (76 – 100%)



Sitting                              D %             Standing                 A %

Walking                            A %              Driving                    N/A  %

Bending/Stooping               N/A  %         Climbing                  N/A  %

Reach above shoulder         N/A  %         Kneeling                  N/A  %

Pushing/Pulling                   N/A %          Crawling/Crouching   N/A  %

Lifting                              20 lbs



Computer work                 

                       N/A             Minimal X Moderate          Significant

Temperature extremes

                       N/A       X Minimal             Moderate             Significant

Noise

                       N/A       X Minimal             Moderate             Significant

 

Travel Required:

 

Domestic  20%                            International  25%

 

 

Please submit your resume and/or application (www.martek.com) to Human Resources at jobs@martek.com or fax to 410-772-5811.  Recruiters welcome.

 

Martek Biosciences Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

M/F/V/D