What Does a Medical Science Liaison Do?
A medical science liaison (MSL) is a field-based scientific expert who serves as the primary conduit between pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device companies and the healthcare community. Unlike sales representatives, MSLs are non-promotional professionals who engage in peer-to-peer scientific exchange with key opinion leaders (KOLs), physicians, researchers, and academic institutions. Their primary responsibilities include discussing clinical trial data, product mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications with medical professionals—ensuring that accurate, evidence-based information supports clinical decision-making.
MSLs also gather real-world insights from the field that inform internal teams such as medical affairs, clinical development, and regulatory strategy. They may attend scientific conferences, support investigator-initiated trials, and help identify research and publication opportunities. Success in this role requires deep therapeutic expertise, advanced academic credentials, and the ability to translate complex clinical data into meaningful discussions with healthcare leaders. The MSL function is critical to ensuring transparency, accuracy, and trust in the scientific dialogue surrounding innovative therapies.
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MSL Core Responsibilities
- Engage with KOLs and healthcare providers to facilitate scientific exchange
- Communicate clinical trial data, research findings, and product information
- Support clinical trials through site education and investigator engagement
- Gather and relay field insights to internal medical and development teams
- Attend scientific congresses and represent the company in non-promotional settings
- Deliver presentations on disease state education and pipeline updates
- Maintain compliance with regulatory and ethical guidelines (e.g., FDA, PhRMA)
- Build strong relationships with academic centers, hospitals, and healthcare systems
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Ability to interpret and explain clinical data, study design, and statistical results
- Therapeutic area expertise (e.g., oncology, neurology, cardiology)
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for scientific communication
- Experience with CRM platforms and KOL mapping tools
Soft skills
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills
- Strategic relationship building and peer-level engagement
- Critical thinking and scientific curiosity
- Professionalism and emotional intelligence in high-level discussions
Education
- Doctoral degree required: PharmD, PhD, MD, or equivalent in a life science field
Certifications
- None required
- Completion of industry training programs (e.g., MSL Society certification) is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–5 years of clinical, research, or medical affairs experience
- Experience presenting at conferences or publishing in peer-reviewed journals
- Previous experience working with KOLs or in a field-based medical role
- Deep understanding of the clinical landscape in a specific therapeutic area
National Average Salary
MSL salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Medical Science Liaison is:
$160,217
Sample Job Description Templates for Medical Science Liaisons
Entry-Level MSL (Postdoctoral Fellow Transition)
Position Overview
We are seeking an Entry-Level Medical Science Liaison (MSL) to support field-based medical engagement in a defined therapeutic area. This role is ideal for recent PhD, PharmD, or MD graduates transitioning from academia or clinical research into the pharmaceutical industry. The Entry-Level MSL will undergo structured onboarding and mentorship to develop the skills required for scientific exchange, KOL engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
Responsibilities
- Learn and communicate key clinical data and product information
- Attend initial scientific conferences and begin KOL relationship building
- Support internal training, literature review, and competitor analysis
- Shadow senior MSLs during field visits and meetings
- Participate in onboarding programs focused on therapeutic area knowledge and compliance
- Assist with gathering medical insights and reporting them to internal stakeholders
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong scientific foundation in therapeutic area of focus
- Ability to interpret clinical trial design and primary literature
- Proficiency with slide development and academic presentations
Soft skills
- Eagerness to learn and grow in a field-based medical role
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Adaptability and professionalism when working with senior clinicians
Education
- Doctoral degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) in a life sciences discipline
Certifications
- None required
- MSL Society membership or certification training is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 0–2 years of experience in research, residency, or fellowship programs
- Scientific publications or experience presenting at academic conferences
Experienced MSL – Regional Role
Position Overview
We are hiring an experienced Medical Science Liaison (MSL) to cover a multi-state territory and engage with key opinion leaders (KOLs) in the assigned therapeutic area. The MSL will drive scientific exchange, support clinical trial sites, and serve as a trusted resource for external stakeholders and internal medical affairs teams.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain relationships with KOLs, investigators, and HCPs
- Provide non-promotional scientific information on company products and pipeline
- Facilitate medical education, advisory boards, and investigator meetings
- Collect field-based insights to inform clinical and strategic planning
- Attend major medical congresses and regional symposia
- Support clinical trials through site training and engagement
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep therapeutic area knowledge and ability to communicate complex data
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance in scientific discussions
- Proficient in using CRM systems for KOL tracking and reporting
Soft skills
- Strategic communication with high-level medical professionals
- Territory management and time efficiency
- Collaborative mindset with commercial and clinical teams
Education
- Doctoral degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) required
Certifications
- None required
- Therapeutic area-specific continuing education is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–5 years of experience as an MSL or field-based scientific liaison
- Established relationships with regional KOLs
Senior Medical Science Liaison
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior Medical Science Liaison to take on a leadership role within the field medical team. This position requires advanced scientific acumen, strong relationships with top-tier KOLs, and the ability to influence internal stakeholders through insight gathering and clinical strategy support.
Responsibilities
- Serve as lead MSL for complex territories or high-priority KOLs
- Mentor junior MSLs and assist in onboarding new team members
- Collaborate closely with clinical development and medical affairs
- Represent the company at scientific congresses and advisory boards
- Drive therapeutic area strategy by identifying trends and research opportunities
- Maintain expertise in emerging data, clinical guidelines, and competitor activity
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expert-level understanding of the assigned therapeutic area
- Ability to synthesize scientific and clinical trends for cross-functional teams
- Experience managing complex relationships with leading KOLs
Soft skills
- Leadership presence in external engagements
- Skilled in coaching and mentoring
- Thoughtful communicator with scientific and business fluency
Education
- Doctoral degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) required
Certifications
- None required
- Advanced therapeutic area training or scientific communications certifications are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of MSL experience with a record of cross-functional leadership
- Authorship on scientific publications or active participation in investigator-initiated studies
MSL Team Lead
Position Overview
We are hiring an MSL Team Lead to oversee a team of field-based medical liaisons. This role balances people management, field engagement strategy, and internal cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record as an MSL and proven leadership ability.
Responsibilities
- Manage performance and development of MSLs within assigned region
- Ensure field team alignment with medical affairs strategy and objectives
- Review field activity reports and provide coaching on KOL engagement
- Collaborate with clinical, regulatory, and commercial teams on strategic initiatives
- Support recruitment, training, and onboarding of new MSLs
- Lead territory planning and field insight aggregation
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong understanding of medical affairs operations and compliance frameworks
- Ability to analyze field performance metrics and deliver feedback
- Experience leading KOL strategies across multiple markets
Soft skills
- Team leadership and interpersonal influence
- Strategic thinking and cross-functional communication
- Ability to manage remote teams and complex field logistics
Education
- Doctoral degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) required
Certifications
- None required
- Team management or coaching certifications are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 6+ years of MSL experience, with at least 2 in a leadership capacity
- Familiarity with field medical training platforms and CRM tools
Director of Field Medical Affairs
Position Overview
We are seeking a Director of Field Medical Affairs to lead the strategic direction, execution, and oversight of all MSL activities across the country or therapeutic division. This high-impact leadership role is responsible for driving scientific engagement, shaping medical strategy, and aligning field medical insights with business and R&D priorities.
Responsibilities
- Lead nationwide or global field medical team across multiple regions
- Set field engagement strategy, resource allocation, and KOL prioritization
- Partner with Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, and Regulatory leaders
- Develop MSL performance standards, training, and best practices
- Analyze and communicate field insights to guide pipeline development
- Represent field medical in executive-level meetings and planning
Requirements
Hard skills
- Extensive knowledge of medical affairs operations, clinical data interpretation, and scientific exchange regulations
- Track record of building and scaling high-performing MSL teams
- Expertise in strategic planning, analytics, and cross-functional leadership
Soft skills
- Visionary leadership and executive presence
- Exceptional communication with both scientific and commercial audiences
- Change management and organizational influence
Education
- Doctoral degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) required
Certifications
- None required
- Executive leadership or scientific affairs training programs are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in medical affairs, including 5+ in MSL management
- Experience working in global or multi-product organizations