
R&D
Where your curiosity drives the
miracles of
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Clinical Research Director, Immunology & Inflammation (Rheumatology)
Cambridge, Massachusetts Salary Range USD 201,000.00 - 335,000.00
At a glance
Bring your curiosity to a team where deep immunoscience meets cutting-edge innovation. Across oncology, rare diseases, neurology, and vaccines, you’ll work at the intersection of lab science and AI-powered discovery — all while collaborating across boundaries to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. Whether you want to deepen your scientific expertise or grow as a leader, you’ll find the opportunity here.
Job title: Clinical Research Director in Immunology & Inflammation (Rheumatology)
Location: Cambridge, MA / Morristown, NJ
About the job
Are you ready to shape the future of medicine? The race is on to speed up drug discovery and development to find answers for patients and their families. Your skills could be critical in helping our teams accelerate progress.
Position Overview:
The Clinical Research Director (CRD), Immunology & Inflammation (I&I) Therapeutic Area is responsible for the creation of the clinical development plan in alignment with the project strategy, its endorsement by governance and its execution in close collaboration with clinical operations. The CRD is expected to advance scientific and clinical knowledge for immunology in rheumatologic diseases, incorporate new methodologies, and pro-actively progress study execution. The role will focus on developing innovative therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with a particular emphasis on rheumatology.
We are an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, with countless opportunities to explore, make connections with people, and stretch the limits of what you thought was possible. Ready to get started?
Main Responsibilities:
Create clinical development strategy and plans for one or more assets
Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to design, implement, and execute clinical development plans and studies
Align clinical development strategy with the global project team and internal partners, such as clinical operations, translational medicine, regulatory affairs, biostatistics, drug discovery, drug safety, marketing
Advance the clinical development plan through internal management review
Lead a clinical sub team to design clinical studies and to create study protocols
Execute the clinical development plan in close collaboration with clinical operations
Advance scientific and clinical knowledge for immunology in rheumatologic diseases
Incorporate new trial, scientific and digital methodologies
Pro-actively progress study execution
Oversee the execution of clinical studies in compliance with internal SOPs, GCP, ICH guidelines and other regulations
Review documents supporting clinical development such as Investigator’s brochure, regulatory documents for IND / CTA, clinical sections of integrated development plans, and submission dossiers for regulatory approval
Engage with health authorities (contribute to health authority submissions (such as new drug application) and timely response to regulatory reviews)
Serve as a medical expert and provide strategic input to early-stage programs
Collaborate with external experts, key opinion leaders, and investigators to advance clinical research
Represent Sanofi at scientific conferences and regulatory meetings
About You
Experience / Skills:
MD or MD/PhD in a relevant scientific discipline with at least 2 years relevant experience in clinical development within the pharmaceutical industry, academia, or government agencies such as the NIH, FDA, or other equivalent national or international public health and regulatory organization
Experience/enthusiasm in advancing assets from discovery into clinical development (experience in pharma or academia)
Have experience in novel approaches to translational medicine
Have and maintain deep scientific, technical and clinical knowledge in immunologic/rheumatologic diseases
Expertise in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, particularly in rheumatology
Demonstrate problem solving skills
Understand and keep updated with the pre-clinical, clinical pharmacology and clinical data relevant to the molecule of interest and the respective therapeutic area
Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively in a matrix environment
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences
Proven track record of scientific publications and presentations at international conferences
Why Choose Us?
Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.
Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.
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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.
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Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.
Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.
At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com

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Why work with us
- Expand your horizons. Grow through curiosity, with support to move, learn, and lead in a culture that champions mentorship, mobility, and bold development.
- Accelerate results with technology. Harness the power of AI and automation to push scientific boundaries and reimagine what's possible in drug discovery.
- Impact through inclusive innovation. Help deliver better science and fairer outcomes by driving inclusive research that reaches more people, in more meaningful ways.
- Turn patient needs into breakthrough science. Drive scientific breakthroughs that start with patient needs – and end in treatments that change lives.
Meet Nils Libert, Associate Scientist
Meet Nils Libert, an Associate Scientist in Belgium, where he plays a key role in advancing groundbreaking research. Learn how his work helps drive innovation, uncover new scientific possibilities, and contribute to life-changing treatments that impact patients around the world.

"At Sanofi, we are building an R&D engine powered by the best science, digital innovation, and a commitment to transforming the lives of patients around the world."

Houman Ashrafian
EVP & Head of R&D
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