Medical Science Liaison/Senior MSL – Oncology

 

Territory: Pennsylvania

 

The MSL is a field-facing representative of US Medical Affairs with a primary responsibility of engaging in the exchange of scientific data and other medical and/or scientific information with external customers (Health Care Providers, researchers, professional organization leadership, and population-based decision makers), including top echelon healthcare leadership, in the areas of the company’s interest. The person in this position will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the customer’s needs, issues and priorities as they relate to the strategic business plan and is able to ‘connect the dots’ and see the ‘big picture’ as it relates to the business. The MSL brings relevant insights from the field on research developments, treatment landscape and new concepts in medical treatment. The incumbent will also identify patterns and trends in KOL mindset and practices across geographies based on insights. The MSL will assume a leadership role by coaching and mentoring other MSLs and by assuming responsibility for special projects as they arise.

 

The impact that the MSL will have on the organization includes the following: 

• Communicating key information about the company, the company and its mission, and key scientific/clinical information about the products, demonstrating a pattern of good judgment, emotional intelligence, business acumen and therapeutic knowledge.
• Effectively communicating relevant and fair balanced scientific and clinical information on the products, seeking feedback from decision makers and health care practitioners to ensure patients’ needs are being met, leveraging a variety of communication channels to serve as a conduit between the company and the medical community to share ideas about future collaborative research with the products.
• Bringing relevant insights from the field on research developments, treatment landscape and new concepts in medical treatment.
• Providing corporate value through demonstrated leadership and participation in strategic thinking

 

Responsibilities

 

MSL/Senior MSL Responsibilities:

• Act as the primary clinical/scientific resource to HCPs in the territory for information on disease state and the product(s) to ensure awareness and understanding.
• Lead assigned professional congresses in accordance with MSL plan by leading congress coverage efforts, including coordination of all MSL activities, as required.
• Present clinical, scientific and economic data on the products and relevant therapeutic areas to population-based decision-makers.
• Lead projects as appropriate.
• Establish, foster, cultivate and maintain peer relationships with KOLs in the therapeutic areas in which the company has current and future interests.
• Serve as primary contact to external investigators who submit IISs to provide recommendations for site selection and scientific expertise to Investigators involved in company-sponsored post-marketing studies.
• Provide mentoring, guidance and training to new hires/ less experienced colleagues; assist with supervision/performance evaluation; assume responsibility for special projects.
• Provide inputs to strategic planning, work processes and escalate any deviations.

 

Principal MSL Responsibilities:

• Build advocacy leading to a strong franchise and serve as a conduit for accurate and updated clinical, scientific and medical information between KOLs, other investigators and the company's Medical Affairs and R&D groups.
• Propose strategic solutions to competitive and clinical practice issues that may be uncovered as part of a field insights observation and analysis.
• Actively participate in executing the company’s strategy at scientific meetings, coordinate MSL meeting/booth coverage, and proactively facilitate KOL interactions with stakeholders.
• Manage complex projects in parallel, often at a national scope by executing activities within a given area of expertise and providing lateral/indirect leadership and strategic direction to MSLs.
• Provide field perspective and insight into developing new resources and strategies through industry and scientific acumen.
• Provide inputs to overall development of strategy, budget and resources including talent pool and address deviations.
• Provide guidance and training to new hires/ less experienced colleagues.

 

Qualifications

 

• Requires an advanced, terminal Doctorate level (D-level) degree in medical or health sciences (e.g. MD, PhD, PharmD, DPH, EdD).
• MSL: 6 months to 1.5 years of experience in the pharma/biotech industry; previous experience as an MSL in Oncology
• Senior MSL: 1.5-3+ years of experience in the pharma/biotech industry; previous experience as an MSL in Oncology
• Principal MSL: 8+ years of overall experience in Oncology with relevant combination industry/clinical/research/academia; at least 5 years as an MSL in Oncology
• Experience teaching, coaching, and mentoring new hires and/or less experienced MSLs.
• Knowledge of disease state management in oncology therapeutic areas along with strong broad-based scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge.
• Presentation skills, teaching skills, and confidence in discussing drug information/ disease state management.
• Prior experience in clinical research, drug development and/or clinical pharmacy and a basic understanding of commercial operations, including marketing and sales strategies.
• Proven performance in earlier role.
• Established relationships with KOLs in Oncology/Hematology preferred.
• Possesses an understanding of the pharmaceutical corporate environment and appreciation for commercial operations, including marketing and sales strategies.
• For Principal MSL, must have prior experience designing strategic solutions to competitive and clinical practice issues.
• Capable of engaging in frequent business travel (approximately 60% of time), including air travel, ability to travel overnight and occasionally on weekends; Domestic and international travel may include spending time at cancer trial sites/institutions, conference center, offices and hotels.
• Possesses and maintains a valid driver’s license.
• This is a field-based position. The employee is required to set up a home-based office.