What to expect in a medical science liaison role
What's it like being a medical science liaison? Let us tell you. Medical science liaisons (MSLs) are responsible for the legitimate exchange of medical and scientific information, education and research initiatives with the medical community. It’s a big undertaking, but with this level of responsibility comes the opportunity to push boundaries and transform healthcare.
The role is all about managing relationships, gathering insights and remaining clued up about the latest scientific research and clinical data throughout the product lifecycle of a drug or device.
You might already know which qualifications will you need as a medical science liaison, but what can you expect from the role itself?
Opportunities to progress your career
An MSL is known for their depth of expert knowledge, meaning that it’s a job where you never stop learning.
Working in a learning environment ensures there are many opportunities to progress your career. If you prove yourself to be competent within the medical field, you could become a senior medical science liaison like Raff, who explains that his work directly feeds into IQVIA’s mission to develop better patient care.
One element of Raff’s job is understanding where treatment gaps are and relaying this back to key opinion leaders (KOLs) and healthcare professionals (HCPs), but there’s so much more to the role. As you progress, your managers will encourage you to develop and deliver scientific training courses to other staff members and international distributors, including medical sales reps. This experience will set you up for a promotion to medical science liaison manager further down the line, and for those who are truly ambitious, a medical director role will be within reach if you’re willing to put the hard work in.
The chance to work within different markets and therapies
It was as early as the 1960s that the pharmaceutical industry recognised a need for trained professionals who could communicate between KOLs and internal stakeholders, offering clarity in the complex system that is healthcare.
As the healthcare market advanced, it wasn’t long before MSLs saw their role diversifying, and they had the chance to work within biotechnology, the medical device market and other related healthcare fields. This means that anyone choosing this field of work truly has the opportunity to carve out the career they envision for themselves.
Not only that, but you also have the option of working in oncology, genecology, gastroenterology, hepatology, endocrinology and many more therapies. And as these new markets and therapies became viable career paths for MSLs, they soon were regarded as specialists in their areas and took on a more stimulating, consultative role.
The opportunity to travel
If you choose to work for a global company, the chances are they’ll have clients in lots of exciting locations and offer you the chance to travel to meet them face-to-face on occasion. However, even if your company is based just in one country, visiting sites is a big part of the job, so you’ll still get to travel around and put your relationship building into practice.
For example, a client may be preparing for the launch of a new product. It will be your job to communicate scientific data, provide strategic input to the company’s strategy and offer any other guidance where it’s needed.
That’s not to say you’ll always be on the move. Keeping on top of the latest developments requires a high level of desk research. Not only that, but the current pandemic has sparked a new hybrid working model where many professionals are now enjoying the benefits of working from home some days. So depending on the company you work for, you could find yourself with a productive balance of working remotely, collaborating with teams in the office, and meeting with other professionals on-site.
Help us power healthcare with connected intelligence
At IQVIA, we are committed to getting the right treatments to patients, faster. How? We invest in our people and their medical science liaison career paths.
With a growing network of colleagues working across more than 30 countries, we have unparalleled capabilities and technologies, data, and global healthcare expertise right at our fingertips.
If you want to be a part of our shared goal of improving human health, browse our latest medical science liaison jobs.
Find out more about life at IQVIA
Did you know IQVIA has
1,900+ epidemiologists
and real world insight experts
Did you know IQVIA cares about
Health and Wellbeing
for all its employees
Did you know IQVIA has
56+ petabytes of unique data
including 1.2B+ non-identified patient records
Did you know IQVIA has
Excellent work-life balance
and is committed to this kind of culture
Did you know IQVIA has
86,000+ employees
from clinicians to data scientists each transforming healthcare in 100+ countries
Did you know IQVIA has
Countless development opportunities
for personal and professional growth
Did you know IQVIA has
4,600 data scientists
including statisticians and analytics developers
Did you know IQVIA has
56+ petabytes of unique data
including 1.2B+ non-identified patient records
Did you know IQVIA has
86,000+ employees
from clinicians to data scientists each transforming healthcare in 100+ countries
Did you know IQVIA has
Excellent work-life balance
and is committed to this kind of culture
Did you know IQVIA has
1,900+ epidemiologists
and real world insight experts
Did you know IQVIA has
Countless development opportunities
for personal and professional growth
Did you know IQVIA has
4,600 data scientists
including statisticians and analytics developers
Did you know IQVIA cares about
Health and Wellbeing
for all its employees
Related jobs
Salary:
Location:
Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Santa Fe
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Los Angeles
Dallas
Chicago
Denver
Santa Fe
Description
Medical Science Liaison The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) will deliver scientific training to HCPs and Media regarding current and future adjunctive therapies and skincare solutions. The MSL will supp
Reference
R1377333
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Martin HannaAuthor
Martin HannaSalary:
Location:
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Description
Medical Science Liaison We are looking for Medical Science Liaison who will help build relationships and demonstrates the clinical outcome and benefits of Client products. Educates and demonstrates th
Reference
R1420875
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Boston, Chicago, Raleigh, Houston
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Boston
Houston
Chicago
Raleigh
Description
We excited to announce we are looking for a National Director of Medical Science Liaisons, to lead a national team of MSLs on behalf of client, ITF Therapeutics. The MSL Director will oversee a nati
Reference
R1416001
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Martin HannaAuthor
Martin HannaSalary:
Location:
Oslo
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Oslo
Description
Medical Science Liaison – New Position – Obesity treatmentIQVIA’s international talent acquisition team is currently recruiting for a brand-new MSL position in Norway on behalf of our client. We are
Reference
R1419974
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Rhys HarringtonAuthor
Rhys HarringtonSalary:
Location:
Mölndal, Helsingborg, Umea
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Mölndal
Helsingborg
Umea
Description
Medical Science Liaison – Team Build – Oncology Immunotherapy As part of a brand new immuno-oncology team build across the EU comprising commercial and medical heads, IQVIA’s international medical aff
Reference
R1381326
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Rhys HarringtonAuthor
Rhys HarringtonSalary:
Location:
Phoenix, Los Angeles
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415852
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Philadelphia, Boston, New York
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Philadelphia
Boston
New York
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415848
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary:
Location:
Seattle, SanFrancisco
Job Type
Regular
Employment status
Full Time
Job Category
Medical Science Liaison
Location
Seattle
SanFrancisco
Description
We are excited to announce that currently we are looking for Neuromuscular Medical Science Liaisons to initiate scientific dialogue within the therapeutic area of neuromuscular diseases through scient
Reference
R1415853
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
A quick note to say thank you for your time this morning discussing my future career options. As you know I was feeling very conflicted about the right decision. Discussing the role with you gave me chance to clarify what is important to me.
Once again I cannot thank you enough for not only approaching me with this opportunity but also for all the support you’ve given me along the way!
Just following on from the amazing news I got yesterday I wanted to say a really special thank you for all the help and support you have provided throughout the entire recruitment process.
IQVIA has been behind my development to become a MSL. The contracts that I have worked on have allowed me to push clinical projects with a recent opportunity to manage a pilot scheme integrating e-detailing into an established field based team. The result was an increase in sales.
Since joining IQVIA I have had unrivalled support and development from my manager to enable me to aspire to move into secondary care. I feel like my career is strongly supported by my manager in order to maximise my potential.
Just following on from the amazing news I got yesterday I wanted to say a really special thank you for all the help and support you have provided throughout the entire recruitment process.
IQVIA Related insights
Teaser
GeneralContent Type
ArticlePublished
30/04/2024
Summary
Whether you work remotely, with a hybrid model, or are a careerist who can’t help but mentally take your work home with you when you leave the office, it’s undeniable that the lines between work and
Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
19/03/2024
Summary
Are you wondering if medical sales is a good career? All over the world, the medical and pharmaceutical sectors are booming, and nowhere more so than in the UK. With a thriving ecosystem of research
Teaser
GeneralContent Type
ArticlePublished
05/02/2024
Summary
Lucy Manning sits in our clinical trials team, but that’s not where her career started at IQVIA. It all began at the back end of 2022 when Lucy took on a fixed-term contract as a Project Support Coo
Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
02/02/2024
Summary
Does the idea of being a medical sales rep excite you? This crucial position lets you make connections with companies and practitioners in the medical field. It’s also a growing and dynamic industry.
Content Type
ArticlePublished
04/01/2024
Summary
Are you ready to step into a career that's both rewarding and accessible? Becoming a phlebotomist could be your ticket into the thriving world of healthcare. It's not just about drawing blood; it's ab
Teaser
MedicalContent Type
ArticlePublished
20/11/2023
Summary
In the tapestry of healthcare, where expertise meets innovation, individuals like Marissa, a Senior Nurse Advisor at IQVIA, play a pivotal role. Marissa has not only learned from challenges but has e
Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
13/11/2023
Summary
A guide to excelling in Key Account Manager jobs in healthcare In the dynamic landscape of the healthcare industry, the role of a Key Account Manager (KAM) is pivotal. Experienced account managers con
Teaser
Medical Affairs & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
10/11/2023
Summary
The role of medical science liaisons has never been more pivotal. Why? As catalysts for change and advocates of cutting-edge advancements, these professionals play a crucial role in fostering collab
Teaser
Medical Sales & ServicesContent Type
ArticlePublished
25/10/2023
Summary
In an industry where cutting-edge innovations and life-changing treatments are introduced every day, the role of ethics in medical device sales is critical. Bridging the gap between groundbreaking m
Teaser
Clinical OperationsContent Type
ArticlePublished
06/10/2023
Summary
Need some guidance on how to get a job in clinical research?Clinical research is a dynamic and rewarding field that transcends borders, offering professionals worldwide the chance to contribute to m
Teaser
SalesContent Type
ArticlePublished
06/10/2023
Summary
In the dynamic and competitive world of medical sales, the path to success is not just about knowing your products or having an impressive CV. Instead, amongst key skills, it's often the abili
Content Type
ArticlePublished
31/08/2023
Summary
Are you one of the 788,638 registered general nurses in the UK? Are you looking for a new challenge, with opportunities to grow and make a real impact in the world of healthcare? A unique and transf
Recently viewed jobs