Band

Level 4

 

Job Description Summary

Position Summary

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL)  serves as a scientific ambassador for Novartis, facilitating high-quality, peer-to-peer scientific exchange with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), Medical Experts (MEs), investigators, and key stakeholders within the Gene Therapy therapeutic area. This field-based role is responsible for building trusted scientific partnerships, generating and communicating medical insights, supporting evidence generation, and contributing to the development and execution of the local medical strategy.

The MSL acts as the bridge between the external medical community and internal cross-functional teams, ensuring that patient needs, scientific advancements, and healthcare system insights inform medical strategy and enhance patient outcomes.

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Engagement & External Partnerships

• Establish and maintain credible scientific relationships with Medical Experts (MEs), investigators, and key healthcare stakeholders in Neurosciences.
• Ensure appropriate identification, mapping, and prioritization of MEs and Key Accounts across the territory.
• Develop and execute strategic ME engagement plans aligned with country and therapeutic area priorities.
• Conduct compliant, evidence-based scientific exchange regarding disease state management, clinical data, and Novartis therapies.
• Identify opportunities to engage MEs when specific medical needs, scientific questions, or evidence gaps are recognized.

Medical Insights & Strategic Contribution

• Gather, analyze, and communicate actionable medical insights from external stakeholders.
• Inform and help shape local medical strategy by translating field insights into meaningful recommendations.
• Provide perspective on emerging scientific trends, unmet patient needs, treatment paradigms, and healthcare system dynamics within Neurosciences.
• Collaborate with Medical Affairs and cross-functional teams to support launch readiness and lifecycle management activities.

Clinical Research Support

• Support Novartis-sponsored clinical research programs through identification and engagement of appropriate investigators and study sites.
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations to optimize trial execution and investigator engagement.
• Provide scientific and educational support to potential and active research sites.

Scientific Education & Internal Support

• Serve as a scientific resource for disease area and product-related training for matrix field teams and internal stakeholders.
• Deliver scientific updates and support interpretation of clinical evidence for cross-functional partners.
• Participate in scientific conferences, congresses, advisory boards, and educational activities to maintain awareness of the evolving Neurosciences landscape.

Compliance & Quality

• Respond appropriately to unsolicited requests for medical and scientific information from healthcare professionals.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with Novartis Ethics, Risk & Compliance (ERC) standards and applicable regulations.
• Report technical complaints, adverse events, and special situation cases related to Novartis products within 24 hours of awareness.
• Support the distribution of marketing samples where applicable and permitted by local regulations.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Advanced scientific degree required:
  • MD, PharmD, PhD, MSc, or equivalent in Life Sciences.

Experience

• Minimum 2-5 years of experience in Medical Affairs, clinical research, scientific engagement, healthcare practice, or a related healthcare environment.
• Previous MSL experience preferred.
• Experience within relevant therapeutic areas strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting clinical research activities and investigator interactions is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in high-quality scientific discussions with healthcare professionals and medical experts.

Technical & Functional Competencies

• Strong knowledge of clinical research principles and evidence generation.
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex clinical and scientific data.
• Strong medical insight generation and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and scientific storytelling skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization and influence without direct authority.
• Strong planning, prioritization, and territory management skills.

Languages

• Fluent local language.
• Advanced English proficiency (written and verbal).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Execution of Medical Expert engagement plans aligned with country strategy.
• Achievement of annual medical activity objectives.
• Quality and impact of medical insights collected and communicated.
• Scientific engagement reach and effectiveness.
• Support and contribution to clinical research activities.
• Compliance with Ethics, Risk & Compliance policies and procedures.
• Timely reporting of adverse events, technical complaints, and special situations.
• Positive feedback from internal and external stakeholders regarding scientific credibility and partnership effectiveness.

 

Skills Desired

Biostatistics, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Reports, Curious Mindset, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software, Disease Management, Drug Development, Epidemiology, IT Tools, Medical Information, Medical Research, Medical Writing, Product Placement