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 Companys 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 ThinkingPreferred 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:
RegularRelocation:
No relocationVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Not IndicatedValid Driving License:
YesHazardous Material(s):
NAJob Posting End Date:
02/5/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more