What is a Medical Science Liaison?

MSL
What is a
Medical Science Liaison?
(What Do They Do, How to Become an MSL?)
Dr. Samuel Dyer - Chairman of the Board - Medical Science Liaison Society www.themsls.org

MSL
What is an MSL?

MSL
What is an MSL?
First established by the Upjohn Company in
1967, the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is:
• Therapeutic specialist (e.g., oncology, cardiology,
neurology)
• Employed by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical
device, clinical research organizations, and other
healthcare companies
• Have advanced scientific training and typically hold a
doctorate degree in the life sciences, such as a
Ph.D., Pharm.D., or M.D.

MSL
What is an MSL?
The purpose of an MSL is to be a scientific or
disease state expert both for internal
colleagues, including sales and marketing, and
for doctors in the therapeutic area of the
medical community in which they work!

MSL
What is an MSL?
The primary responsibility of an MSL remains
to establish and maintain peer-to-peer
relationships with leading doctors who
influence other doctors. These influential
doctors are commonly referred to as key
opinion leaders (KOLs).

MSL
MSL Activities

MSL
What does an MSL do?
MSL Activity Survey
The MSL Society conducted a global MSL
Survey to gain insights into the range of
activities MSLs are involved with. MSLs were
given a list of activities and asked to select all
those they are involved with. The survey
included:
275 MSLs
29 Countries

MSL
MSL Activities
Regardless of which country the MSL works in, their activities are consistent…
Consistent Engagement
The vast majority of
MSL activities are
identical and primarily
revolve around
engaging with Key
Opinion Leaders
(KOLs).
KOL
Over 98% of MSLs
reported that they
were responsible for
KOL relationship
management and
around 92%
reported educating
KOLs.

MSL
What is KOL?

MSL
Key Opinion Leader
What is a KOL?
• An Industry term and acronym: KOL = Key Opinion Leader
• As the title suggest, they are influential doctor’s, physician
and members of medical community who’s opinion are
highly regarded and who influences other doctor’s and
physicians.
• The primary responsibility of an MSL is to maintain peer-to-peer
relationships with KOL’s

MSL
Alternative Job Titles

MSL
Alternative MSL Job Titles
Although originally called Medical Science Liaisons by
Upjohn, over the years companies have used various
alternatives to the MSL job title even though they typically
have the same role and responsibilities. These alternatives
include:
• Clinical Liaison
• Clinical Science Consultant
• Medical Liaison
• Medical Manager
• Medical Science Consultant
• Medical Science Manager
• Medical Scientific Director
• Regional Medical Director
• Regional Medical Liaison
• Regional Medical Scientist
• Regional Scientific Manager
• Scientific Affairs Manager
*This list is by no means comprehensive but represents some of the most
common alternative titles used

MSL
Become an MSL

MSL
The MSL Book
The FIRST and ONLY step-by-step guide on how to
successfully land your first Medical Science Liaison role!
This book explains
• What the MSL role is and its purpose
• How hundreds of MSLs broke into their first role
• How to research the role, companies and hiring managers
• How to effectively network with MSLs and hiring managers
• The proper format and what to include in your CV
• The differences between a phone screen, a phone interview, an in-person
interview and how to prepare for each of them
• What specific questions to ask and what specific questions you will be asked
during the various interview stages
• The average salary offered to new MSLs
www.themslbook.com • How to negotiate and accept an offer

MSL
The MSL Society

MSL
About MSL Society
Highlights
 Only 501c3 Non-Profit organization exclusively
dedicated to advancing global MSL profession
 Serve as a voice for the profession
 Members from 15 countries representing 42
pharma, biotech, medical device and CRO
companies.
 Numerous member resources including
reports, publications, Free webinars,
whitepapers, global surveys, conference.
 The only niche job board for global Medical
Science Liaison roles.
MSL & Medical Affairs Networkers
MedicalScienceLiaisonSociety
@MSLSociety

MSL
About MSL Society
About MSL Society
The Medical Science Liaison Society is the first ONLY
501c3 Non-Profit organization devoted to the
development of the global MSL profession.
The MSL Society allows you to become part of the
MSL community prior to breaking into the role, help
you learn the language of the role and provide the
opportunity to network with MSLs and hiring
managers.
Benefits of Joining MSL Society
 Global MSL Career Center & Job Board
 Live & Online MSL Training
 CV Review and Coaching
 MSL focused Webinars
 Global MSL Society Conferences
 Presentations from Global MSL Experts
 Access to the Global MSL Member Directory
 Networking opportunity within Global MSL
Community
 Reports, News, Salary Survey and other insights

MSL
Questions?
Contact me: www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer

What is a Medical Science Liaison?

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