Salary Range:
Job Description Summary
The Medical Scientific Liaison (MSL) acts as a scientific ambassador, enabling high‑quality, peer‑to‑peer scientific exchange with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) and Medical Experts (MEs), typically within one TA (Therapeutic Area), but with the flexibility to support multiple TA assets when required. The role exists to strengthen Novartis’ scientific presence, support evidence‑based decision making, and inform medical strategy through high‑quality insight generation. MSLs provide deep therapeutic area and product understanding, translate emerging science into meaningful dialogue, and support internal teams with clinical data interpretation. MSL is field-based role and needs to operate primarily in the field, the MSL bridges scientific needs from clinical practice with internal strategy to improve patient outcomes and reinforce Novartis’ reputation for scientific excellence.
Job Description
Medical Engagement
- Execute Medical Expert (ME) engagement plans (MEEPs) aligned with TA strategic priorities.
- Conduct unbiased, evidence‑based, peer‑to‑peer scientific exchange with HCPs and MEs, providing up‑to‑date medical and disease area information.
- Ensure appropriate identification and mapping of MEs/Key Accounts, and proactively involve them when specific medical needs, scientific questions, or evidence gaps are identified.
- Share, discuss, and contextualize new clinical data and publications.
- Support ME/HCP education activities (e.g., hospital staff meetings, regional scientific events).
- Ensure compliant, high‑quality scientific dialogue aligned with company guidance.
Evidence Generation & Clinical Research Support
- Systematically collect, synthesize, and communicate actionable external insights from clinical practice, scientific discussions, and competitive activities.
- Inform local and regional medical strategy through real‑world feedback and emerging unmet needs.
- Support identification and qualification of potential study sites.
- Facilitate communication between sites and internal teams to optimize study execution.
Medical Education & Scientific Communication
- Contribute to planning, execution, and follow‑up of local/regional medical education activities.
- Provide scientific support for events, symposia, and internal or external educational initiatives.
- Contribute scientific insights to shape country medical plans and disease area strategies.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the therapeutic landscape, emerging data, and competitor environment.
Medical Partnerships
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with Medical Experts, scientific societies, and academic institutions to support collaboration and scientific leadership in the TA.
- Act as a scientific resource for internal partners, providing clinical context, data interpretation, and training.
- Represent the company as the credible scientific ambassador in the TA, contributing to a positive reputation with key stakeholders and institutions.
- Strengthen the medical ecosystem by shaping joint value creation initiatives, evidence-based collaborations, and multistakeholder partnerships.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure all engagements, materials, and activities meet ERC, regulatory, and medical governance requirements.
- Maintain accurate reporting, CRM documentation, and activity tracking.
Key Performance Indicators
- Input Indicators (what the MSL prepares or brings into their work)
- In-field days, i.e., days per month with one or more face-to-face or virtual scientific interaction ≥ 15
- Process Indicators (how the MSL performs their work):
- HCP Coverage with scientific interactions per calendar quarter ≥ 80%
- Face-to-Face scientific interactions ≥ 80%
- Productivity, i.e., face-to-face or virtual scientific interactions with HCPs per in-field day ≥ 2.0 interactions/day.
- Output Indicators (what the MSL directly delivers)
- HCPs with assessed scientific engagement ≥ 80%
- Outcome Indicators (effects achieved through the MSL’s outputs)
- Positive evolution of assessed scientific engagement scores, with documented progression toward higher advocacy.
- Impact Indicators (contribution to Novartis, the healthcare system, and patients)
- Evidence of enhanced strategic value to the organization through insight-driven engagement and consistent scientific excellence.
Ideal Background
Education:
- Advanced scientific degree (MD, PharmD, PhD, MSc in Life Sciences) or equivalent.
Languages:
Experience/Professional Requirement:
Experiences:
- Experience in Medical Affairs or clinical/scientific roles (field‑based experience preferred).
- Demonstrated ability to engage in high‑quality scientific dialogue with HCPs/MEs.
- Experience interpreting clinical data and scientific evidence.
- Understanding pharmaceutical industry regulations, compliance, and scientific engagement standards.
- Experience supporting clinical research is a plus.
Functional Capabilities:
- Strong scientific and clinical data interpretation skills.
- Ability to collect, synthesize, and communicate insights.
- High proficiency in scientific engagement and communication.
- Understanding of evidence generation approaches (RWE, clinical trials, observational studies).
- Ability to partner effectively in a matrix environment.
- Strong planning, prioritization, and territory management abilities.
Interpersonal Capabilities & Mindset:
- Scientific curiosity and growth mindset.
- Ability to influence without authority
- Acts with credibility and clarity of purpose to build and maintain effective and collaborative relationships
- Collaborative, cross‑functional orientation.
- Clear, impactful communication; ability to simplify complex science.
- Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
- High integrity, ethical judgment, and a patient-centric mindset guiding all interactions.
- Rigorous process stewardship, following internal procedures precisely, maintaining high documentation standards and proactively addressing gaps.
Skills Desired
Biostatistics, Clinical Protocols, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Reports, Clinical Trials, Curious Mindset, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software, Disease Management, Drug Development, Epidemiology, IT Tools, Medical Information, Medical Research, Medical Writing, Product Placement, Research Support