Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is a clinical-stage company developing orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists as a new class of medicines for the treatment of narcolepsy and potentially other sleep-wake disorders. Centessa’s lead investigational candidate – cleminorexton (formerly ORX750) – is being developed for narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Centessa's OX2R agonist portfolio includes additional clinical and preclinical-stage assets with potential utility across a broader range of neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Centessa was recognized as a Great Place to Work® in 2026.
Description of Role
The MSL will serve as a field-based scientific expert responsible for engaging with healthcare professionals (HCPs), supporting clinical development, and ensuring alignment with Centessa’s strategic medical objectives. This role is critical in translating complex scientific data into meaningful clinical insights and fostering compliant, evidence-based dialogue with thought leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Scientific Expertise & Thought Leader Engagement
- Maintain a high level of therapeutic area expertise and scientific knowledge relevant to Centessa’s pipeline and marketed products in alignment with Medical Affairs strategic objectives
- Engage in compliant, non-promotional scientific exchange with key opinion leaders (KOLs), investigators, and other HCPs
- Serve as a trusted scientific resource to external stakeholders, providing accurate and balanced medical information
- Deliver company-approved, high-quality medical/scientific presentations to a variety of audiences including formulary committees and healthcare professionals.
- Provide medical/scientific support for critical Centessa activities including speaker training, advisory boards, and sales training as appropriate
- Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant documentation of field-based activities in accordance with MSL organization guidelines
Clinical Trials Support
- Collaborate with Clinical Operations to identify and evaluate potential clinical trial sites and investigators based on scientific expertise, patient population, and alignment with study objectives
- Provide scientific education and protocol-specific training to investigators and site staff during site initiation visits, ensuring thorough understanding of study rationale and endpoints
- Maintain ongoing engagement with trial sites and investigators to facilitate successful execution of clinical trial objectives, provide ongoing scientific support, address protocol-related inquiries, and ensure high-quality data generation
Medical Conference Attendance & Coverage
- Attend relevant scientific and medical congresses to stay current with emerging data and trends
- Provide real-time insights and post-conference reports to internal teams
- Support Centessa’s presence at congresses through development of pre-conference plans, booth coverage, symposia attendance, and KOL engagement
- Senior MSLs will be responsible for leading strategic conference planning, execution, and reporting
Scientific Materials Development
- Contribute to the development of scientific slide decks, FAQs, and educational materials
- Writing and editing Medical Information response letters
- Ensure all materials are medically accurate, evidence-based, and compliant with regulatory standards
- Collaborate with Medical Affairs and Legal teams to ensure scientific content meets internal and external guidelines
Additional responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Leading MSL strategic initiatives/projects aligned with Medical Affairs and MSL organization strategy
- Develop and implement scientific training plans for the MSL team
- Mentorship of MSL peers
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD) in life sciences or a related field (from An Accredited College or University).
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in a Medical Affairs or MSL role within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry
- Excellent understanding of sleep medicine and associated therapeutic areas strongly preferred
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to tailor scientific messages to diverse audiences and ability to interpret and communicate complex scientific data
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with KOLs, investigators, and internal stakeholders
- Strong understanding of clinical trial design, regulatory requirements, and therapeutic area landscape
- Skilled in developing and delivering scientific presentations in various settings
- Strong understanding of industry regulations and guidelines governing medical interactions
- Ability to align field activities with broader medical and corporate strategies
- Must have a valid driver’s license with a driving record that meets company requirements
- Willing and able to travel frequently throughout the North Central territory, including Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, with primary coverage of major metropolitan and academic medical center markets across the region.
- Must reside in the Chicago metropolitan area or, alternatively, in a major metropolitan area within the North Central territory with convenient access to a major commercial airport to support frequent travel throughout the region.
Work Location
The Medical Science Liaison, North Central is a remote role based in the US, with up to 60-70% travel and occasional weekends.
Compensation
The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000.00 to $215,000.00. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge and location.
In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus. Centessa also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program.
POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt
EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subdisary of Eli Lilly and Company believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.
