Medical Science Liaison, UK & Ireland

Santen; Birmingham; Remote; GBP 62,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Santen seeks a field-based Medical Science Liaison to act as a scientific expert across the North UK & Ireland (Birmingham to Scotland, including Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland). You will enable high-quality peer-to-peer scientific exchange, build trusted relationships with healthcare professionals, and contribute to Medical Affairs strategy through insights generation and evidence projects.

You will translate priorities into field activities, engage on external partnerships,

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience as an MSL or field-based Medical Affairs role in the pharmaceutical industry (ophthalmology experience preferred).
• Ability to interpret, critically evaluate and communicate complex scientific and clinical information.
• Experience engaging with healthcare professionals and scientific experts.

Responsibilities

• High-level Scientific Exchange & External Partnerships: Identify and engage relevant scientific experts and stakeholders, building trusted relationships and delivering balanced, non-promotional scientific exchange.
• Medical Insight Generation: Generate and communicate actionable medical insights from external engagements, congresses and the healthcare environment.
• Medical Strategy Implementation & Field Execution: Translate Medical Affairs priorities into field activities and monitor effectiveness.
• Evidence Generation & Clinical Research: Identify evidence gaps and support investigator-initiated research and scientific publications.
• Congresses & Scientific Intelligence: Maintain knowledge of literature and guidelines, participate in congresses, capture key developments.
• Medical Education & Scientific Capability: Deliver scientific presentations, support materials, and internal training.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with Medical Affairs and cross-functional teams while maintaining non-promotional boundaries.
• Compliance, Governance & Operational Excellence: Ensure compliance with laws and codes, document activities and manage territory tools.

Skills

Scientific knowledge

Communication skills

Relationship building

Analytical mindset

Strategic planning

Independence

English fluency

Education

Advanced degree in Life Sciences or Medicine

MD/PhD advantageous

Job description

Territory: North UK & Ireland (covering Birmingham to Scotland, including Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland).

As a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), you will act as a field-based scientific expert and a trusted, non-promotional partner to healthcare professionals, scientific experts and other relevant healthcare stakeholders. You will facilitate high-quality, peer-to-peer scientific exchange, develop meaningful scientific relationships and generate actionable medical insights that contribute to Medical Affairs strategy, evidence generation and improved patient care. You will support Medical Affairs priorities throughout the product lifecycle, from pipeline and pre-launch through launch and lifecycle management.

What you will do

• High-level Scientific Exchange & External Partnerships : Identify and engage relevant scientific experts and healthcare stakeholders, building trusted, sustainable relationships and delivering balanced, evidence-based, non-promotional scientific exchange, including responding to unsolicited medical and scientific enquiries.
• Medical Insight Generation: Generate, capture and communicate actionable medical and scientific insights from external engagements, congresses and the healthcare environment, identifying unmet needs, evidence gaps and emerging trends to inform Medical Affairs priorities and support appropriate medical actions.
• Medical Strategy Implementation & Field Execution: Translate Medical Affairs priorities into effective field medical activities, prioritising stakeholder engagement according to scientific needs and potential medical impact, while contributing field insights to strategy development and monitoring activity effectiveness.
• Evidence Generation & Clinical Research : Identify evidence gaps and research opportunities, support the identification of investigators and research sites, and contribute to Santen-sponsored studies, observational research, Real-World Evidence initiatives, investigator-initiated research and scientific publications within your defined responsibilities.
• Congresses & Scientific Intelligence : Maintain up-to-date knowledge of scientific literature, treatment guidelines and clinical developments, participate in relevant scientific congresses, and capture and communicate key scientific developments and stakeholder insights internally.
• Medical Education & Scientific Capability : Deliver scientific presentations and educational activities, support the development and review of Medical Affairs materials, contribute to internal scientific training and knowledge sharing, and continuously develop your therapeutic and scientific expertise.
• Cross-functional Collaboration : Collaborate with Medical Affairs and relevant cross-functional teams, sharing scientific and field perspectives while maintaining clear boundaries between non-promotional Medical Affairs activities and Commercial activities.
• Compliance, Governance & Operational Excellence :Ensure all activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, industry codes and Santen policies, maintaining scientific independence, reporting adverse events and product quality complaints, completing required documentation and training, and managing territory activities and approved digital tools responsibly.

What you will bring to the role

• Education: An advanced university degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy or another relevant scientific discipline.
• An MD, PharmD, PhD or equivalent advanced scientific qualification would be an advantage.
• Experience: At least 3 years of experience in an MSL or field-based Medical Affairs role within the pharmaceutical industry (ophthalmology experience preferred).
• A proven ability to interpret, critically evaluate and communicate complex scientific and clinical information.
• Experience engaging with healthcare professionals, scientific experts or other relevant healthcare stakeholders.
• Experience in ophthalmology is desirable, although candidates with strong scientific backgrounds and the ability to develop therapeutic‑area expertise will also be considered.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong scientific knowledge and the ability to translate complex clinical evidence into clear, relevant scientific discussions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the credibility to engage confidently with senior healthcare professionals and scientific experts.
• Strong relationship‑building and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Analytical mindset and the ability to identify meaningful medical insights and translate them into actionable recommendations.
• Strategic thinking, effective planning and strong organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities and take ownership of field activities.
• Fluent English.

Ready to make a difference?

What we offer:

Competitive Salary: A market‑aligned base salary starting from £62,140 - £85,440, depending on experience and location.