Job Description

Role Summary 

• The MSL is a field-based (80% field based) medical professional whose primary responsibility is to engage in non-promotional peer-to-peer communication & provide medical/scientific information to Scientific Leaders (SLs) and Key Decision Makers (KDMs) based on cutting-edge scientific exchange and services oriented towards the stakeholder’s professional interests & needs. 

• The MSL is responsible for ensuring that he/she is fully versed in the therapeutic area and up-to-date on all major studies, product information on our and other companies’ relevant therapies, clinical data and relevant pipeline data to provide the most balanced data to SLs, KDMs and the healthcare community to improve patient care. 

• The MSL will develop and maintain highly effective relationships with new and existing SLs and KDMs and will also provide medical advice to internal stakeholders such as medical & access colleagues. 

• The MSL proactively gathers, synthesizes, and communicates actionable field medical insights (e.g., unmet needs, treatment patterns, data gaps, and stakeholder feedback) to inform local medical strategy, evidence generation, and cross-functional decision-making. 

Responsibilities and Primary Activities 

Engagement with External experts 

• Engaging in non-promotional peer-to-peer exchange of medical and scientific information with SLs or KDMs 

• Gaining deep insights on disease, therapeutic area and healthcare needs, data gaps and challenges. 

• Representing V&I GMSA (Value & Implementation Global Medical Affairs) at local or regional non-promotional Medical events (e.g. Medical Congresses and Symposia). 

• Responding to unsolicited requests for medical, scientific, pipeline or marketed product information or indications from SLs or KDMs. 

• Responding to unsolicited requests for information on company research and/or grant activities 

• Responsible along with the Field Medical & Health System Lead to develop and follow up on scientific leaders (SL) engagement plan. 

• Is recognized as the scientific expert in the disease, product and therapeutic areas assigned by acting as speaker and/or discussant in external meetings. 

Internal support 

• Participating in the development of country Medical Affairs Plans (cMAP) and implementation of activities identified in the cMAP. 

• At Global Clinical Trials Organization or Center for Observational and Real World Research personnel request, supporting the identification of potential study investigators for sponsored studies, Local Data Generation (LDG) and Investigator Studies Program (MISP) 

• Providing insights internally on the scientific gaps, ideas and other topics gathered from scientific exchange 

• Supporting company colleagues by providing on-label or disease state scientific training to our personnel in the therapeutic area when requested and where allowed 

 
Medical Functional Expertise 

• Builds and maintains expertise and knowledge of scientific gaps on the disease, epidemiology, product(s) and indication(s) assigned. 

• Identifies, implements and supports investigator-initiated studies, local epidemiologic and non-interventional data generating opportunities  

• Ensures 100% compliance with all applicable company SOPs and guidance, local and international industry regulations and standards. 

Strategic Medical Support 

• Implements the local medical affairs activities within the agreed timelines and budget, utilizing the knowledge of our and our competitors' products and therapeutic options within the indications. 

• Gives medical input into the medical plans, market access strategies, uptake of our products in guidelines, and the selection of the most recent/appropriate data and references to be used.  

Tactical Medical Support 

• Provides input on/drafts local publications/abstracts/reports/medical reviews and medical training materials. 

• Reviews expert reports to support reimbursement or formulary listing processes and is involved in the development of value dossiers. 

• Evaluates scientific value of projects for which support is requested from the company. 

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience 

Minimum (Required) 

• Medical Doctor/Specialist, Pharmacist (QFB/QFI/QBP), Biologist, Biotechnologist, or a related biomedical degree; valid professional license as applicable. 

• ≥1.5 years of experience in an Oncoloy field medical role (MSL, Medical Advisor with field responsibilities, clinical/scientific liaison) or equivalent. 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interpret oncology clinical data (study endpoints, safety, study design, basic statistics) with healthcare professionals (HCPs). 

• Fluent in written and spoken English. 

• Willingness to travel up to 35% (or as business needs require) in a field-based role. 

• Proven ability to conduct non-promotional, peer-to-peer scientific exchange. 

• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical compliance principles and ethical standards. 

Preferred 

• Postgraduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, or related disciplines. 

• Previous experience as an Oncology MSL. 

• Experience in immuno-oncology and/or targeted therapies, biomarkers, and companion diagnostics; strong understanding of patient pathways. 

• Track record of publications, abstracts, posters, or meaningful scientific congress involvement. 

• Experience supporting investigator-initiated studies (IIS) and/or real-world evidence and local data generation activities. 

• Strong facilitation skills for advisory boards and medical education programs; ability to engage credibly with senior clinical experts. 

• Experience providing medical support for market access activities (value dossiers, reimbursement discussions, guideline inclusion support). 

• Familiarity with field medical tools/CRM, compliant documentation, and use of metrics to improve planning and insights quality. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills (1:1, small group, advisory board settings). 

• Strong stakeholder management skills, including KOL mapping and engagement planning across accounts/regions. 

• Strong planning and prioritization skills, with the ability to synthesize field insights into clear internal recommendations within a matrix environment. 

Skills / Knowledge / Competencies 

• A team player with excellent interpersonal skills, and a proactive “can do” attitude. 

• Strong scientific baseline knowledge in therapeutic area of oncology, understanding of clinical trials design and conduct, implementation and interpretation of clinical data, sound scientific and clinical judgment, and an eagerness to continue to learn more in assigned therapeutic Area. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills and great listening skills. 

• Delivers value to internal and external stakeholders through innovation and collaboration and by understanding and meeting their needs; acts with candor and courage. 

• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization. 

• Has solid business acumen and excellent understanding of core systems, and metrics. 

• Makes, strengthens and maintains contact with those that can contribute to achieving the set goals. Utilizes the network purposefully 

• Simultaneously handling multiple tasks and ability to work under pressure 

• Works to develop new skills and abilities, and seeks/accepts feedback on performance 

• Corporate culture competencies of Leadership Behaviors and high ethical standards 

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 

Employee Status:  

Regular 

Job Level:  

400 

Job Category: 

Professional 

Compensation Grade: 

P3 

Travel Requirements: 35% 

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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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. 

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