Medical Scientific Liaison

Job Description

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.

 

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a credentialed (i.e., PhD, PharmD, DNP, 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:

• 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)
• 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.

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.

 

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.

 

Requirements:

• PhD, PharmD, DNP, or MD or equivalent.
• Clinical (patient care) or research experience in assigned therapeutic area(s) beyond that obtained in the terminal degree program.
• Proven competence and a minimum of 3 years of relevant therapeutic area experience.
• 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).
• 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

• Field-based medical experience.
• Clinical research experience.
• Demonstrated record of scientific/medical publication.
• Relevant therapeutic area experience.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Cancer Research, Clinical Data Interpretation, Clinical Engagement, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Trial Methodology, Clinical Trial Support, Healthcare Education, Medical Communications, Medical Knowledge, Medical Oncology, Multiple Therapeutic Areas, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Scientific Exchange, Teamwork, Therapeutic Knowledge

Preferred Skills:

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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:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/13/2026

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