Categories: Pharmaceutical, Medical Affairs, Research, Healthcare

Job Description

Role Summary

• The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a credentialed (i.e., PhD, MD, or equivalent degree) therapeutic and disease expert who engages in scientific exchange with leaders in the external medical and scientific community. The role provides scientific leaders (SLs) balanced, factual, scientific information about non-product areas of interest to the Company and replies to scientific questions from SLs, including questions about Company products. The work of an MSL is aligned to these four core pillars: Scientific Exchange, Research, Scientific Congress Support, and Scientific Insights.

• MSLs liaise between the scientific community and the Company to enhance the comprehension of scientific foundations and goals for approved, in-development, and active Company-sponsored trials and/or investigator-sponsored research studies. The MSL serves as a role model for other field medical team members in ways that include on-boarding and/or sharing of therapeutic expertise.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

Scientific Exchange

• Develops professional relationships and engages with national and/or regional SLs to ensure access to medical and scientific information on areas of therapeutic interest and Company products

• Conducts peer-to-peer scientific discussions and maintains a reliable presence with those SLs to ensure they have a medical contact within the Company

• Addresses scientific questions and directs SL inquiries on issues outside of MSL scope (e.g., grants) to appropriate Company resources consistent with applicable policies

• Maintains current knowledge and comprehension of dynamic scientific and clinical environment in the Company's Areas of Interest (AOI)

Scientific Insights

• Gathers feedback, data, or information during routine activities that can help the Company better comprehend medical or scientific needs, priorities, or concerns of healthcare practitioners and/or patients

Research

• Upon request from Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO),

• Identifies barriers to patient enrollment and retention efforts to achieve study milestones, recommends study sites, and identifies potential investigators to participate in phase II-IV clinical development programs

• Addresses questions from investigators and provides information regarding participation in Company-sponsored clinical studies

• Upon request from Scientific Affairs,

• Enhances the comprehension of the scientific foundations and goals of investigator-sponsored research

• Identifies barriers to patient enrollment and retention efforts to achieve study milestones

• Initiates discussions with SLs and/or potential investigators that include scientific/data exchange within our AOI to determine the alignment with our research strategies, studies concepts, scientific merit, and qualifications for a specific compound or trial

Scientific Congress Support

• Engages in scientific and medical meetings through pre-congress preparation

• Facilitates scientific and data exchange for both Company and competitor data and collects meaningful insights

• Staffs congress exhibit booth as applicable

Inclusive Mindset and Behavior

• Demonstrates eagerness to contribute to an environment of belonging, inclusion, equity, and empowerment

• Leads by example and serves as a role model for creating, leading and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

 

Minimum

• Relevant therapeutic area experience

• Medical Doctor (Internist or Cardiologist) with at least 2 years of research or clinical experience.

• Alternatively, a General Medical Doctor, Pharmacist, or practitioner from a related biological field with a minimum of 1 year of experience as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the cardiometabolic area.

• Advanced proficiency in English

• Clinical (patient care) or research experience in assigned therapeutic area(s) beyond that obtained in the terminal degree program

• Ability to conduct doctoral-level discussions with key external stakeholders

• Dedication to scientific excellence with a strong focus on scientific education and dialogue

• Business and market knowledge

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and networking skills

• A thorough comprehension of local/regional regulatory agencies and other ethical guidelines, laws, and regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and its customers

• Ability to organize, prioritize, and work effectively in a constantly changing environment

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access) and artificial intelligence tools

• Desire to contribute to an environment of belonging, engagement, equity, and empowerment by:

  • Working to transform the environment, culture, and business landscape

  • Leveraging diversity and inclusion to increase competitive advantage, per global diversity and inclusion strategy

  • Ensuring accountability to drive an inclusive culture

  • Strengthening the foundational elements of diversity

• ​ Consistent adherence to field and corporate policies, including field standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines

Preferred

• PhD education

• Field-based medical experience

• Clinical research experience

• Demonstrated record of scientific/medical publication

·    

Required Skills:

Accountability, Adaptability, Advisory Board Development, Biopharmaceuticals, Cardiometabolic, Clinical Development, Communication, Data Analysis, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Healthcare Education, Health Economics, Lipids, Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacy Regulation, Prioritization, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, Scientific Communications, Scientific Research, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Networking, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

02/5/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.