Medical Science Liaison, Onc/Haem - South of England

Job Description

The Medical Science Liaison – Oncology/Haematology will have a blend of strong scientific and clinical expertise and a high level of communication skills. You will have the ability to work both independently or as part of a team as the situation demands. A thorough knowledge of the therapeutic and disease area or areas is preferable or the ability to demonstrate the aptitude to rapidly assimilate the knowledge. A comprehensive knowledge of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries’ Code of Practice to ensure that all activities undertaken are conducted in a non-promotional manner is needed. A working knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and a thorough understanding of the wider NHS environment is desirable. Excellent Stakeholder relationship skills are needed.

This is a field-based role covering the south of England and is up to 75% externally focused interacting with Health Care Professionals and other external stakeholders through hybrid ways of working (combination of virtual and face-to-face meetings). The travel will depend on agreed collaboration with HCPs taking into account their needs and preferred ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

• To engage in field-based non-promotional medical and scientific partnership, with the aim of providing high quality, accurate and timely scientific advice to healthcare professionals, providers and other relevant stakeholders regarding the company’s products and associated disease area.

• To identify, develop and maintain credible relationships with healthcare professionals, providers, Scientific Leaders, and academic centres , in the relevant disease area and, in collaboration with relevant internal functions, deliver improved patient outcomes in a given disease area.

• To contribute to the development and implementation of strategic planning for the UK by providing medical and scientific insight and applying expert knowledge about the product and disease area.

• Champion cross functional partnership across the business in the delivery of company and team objectives.

• Maintain integrity and ethical governance for the organisation, always leading by example.

• Provide fair, balanced, non-promotional and unbiased field-based medical and scientific support in response to specific requests from healthcare professionals.

• Interacts with healthcare organisations, health professionals, clinical investigators, and other health care providers and organisations in order to provide complete, accurate, balanced, scientifically rigorous, and non-promotional medical and clinical information.

• Participates in the development of Medical Affairs Plans and implements tactics identified in the Medical Affairs Plans which align with the Company’s therapeutic areas of interest and where necessary contribute to advice seeking activities, for example advisory boards.

• Represents the Medical Department at local or regional non-promotional medical.

• Identify areas of educational need for the external healthcare community, developing resources and events to address these needs.

• Facilitates research publication of articles supporting therapeutic areas of interest, in a manner ensuring the independence and objectivity of the publications are maintained.

• Act as an authoritative resource to all departments for the identification of Scientific Leaders who may collaborate on specific projects or activities.

• Supports commercial colleagues to provide balanced and scientific information and training, on therapeutic areas related to assigned disease entities.

• Collaborates with our research laboratories and clinical trials operations personnel to identify potential investigators for clinical development programmes and provide medical and clinical expertise to aid in effective trial engagement in the UK.

• Completes all planning, organisational and administrative activities necessary to ensure effective and efficient management of geographic territory.

• Maintain compliance with all statutory requirements and internal procedures for Pharmacovigilance.

• Ensure that all activities and interactions are conducted in compliance with applicable local, global, and national laws, regulations, guidelines, codes of conduct (including but not limited to the ABPI Code of Practice) company policies and accepted standards of best practice.

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

Qualifications and Experience:

• Medical degree, pharmacy degree, or higher science degree preferably a MSc or PhD.

• Experience in oncology medical affairs is highly preferred, though candidates with MSL experience in another therapeutic area will also be considered

• High level of knowledge of Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries.

• Proven relationship building skills with scientific leaders (either in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, or academic setting).

• Possess a comprehensive understanding of how the MSL role can deliver value to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Understanding of the wider NHS environment and key opportunities for pharmaceuticals and the NHS to partner effectively within the scope of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries Code of Practice

• IT skills, including but not limited to use of Microsoft Office Software.

Our Medical Affairs team advances patient care by engaging in scientific exchange with external medical experts and industry professionals ensuring the scientific value of our products is realized. We engage and train internal employees to ensure that they thoroughly comprehend the science behind the medicine and review further unmet medical needs to bolster collaboration and further differentiate our portfolio.

Desirable Role Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to adapt current work processes to meet emerging needs and changes in job responsibilities. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate new ideas and proposed methods for practicality and ease of implementation. Demonstrates an understanding of how function’s goals and strategy aligns with the broader long-term initiatives.

• Business & Financial Acumen: Demonstrates understanding of business facts and can use this data when making decisions. Demonstrates working knowledge of our company’s core business structure and how own function contributes to and works within the organisation. Demonstrates an understanding of changing industry trends, economic drivers, and their implications for our business.

• Working Across Boundaries: Demonstrates the ability to act as an intermediary across boundaries. Demonstrates the ability to shift one’s mind-set to quickly adapt global strategies for local implementation. Demonstrates the ability to proactively recognise and address potential barriers that may hinder cross-boundary initiatives. Demonstrates skill in developing and maintaining networks.

• Project Management: Demonstrates the ability to coordinate work tasks with others for timely completion and to avoid potential setbacks. Demonstrates ability to articulate and translate complex needs into clearly thought-out solutions and can effectively deliver on those. Demonstrates the ability to quickly assess limitations of current solutions and can re-design processes and tools so they are user friendly and fit for purpose.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Advisory Board Development, Analytical Problem Solving, Clinical Research, Codes of Conduct, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Patient Outcomes, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Scientific Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Collaborations

Preferred Skills:

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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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

06/2/2026

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