Medical Science Liaison - Vaccines

Merck; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare company seeks a Medical Science Liaison in Vaccines. The MSL engages in peer-to-peer communication with key stakeholders, providing critical medical information and insights. This role requires an advanced degree in life sciences and a minimum of three years' experience in clinical settings. The MSL will also support internal teams and contribute to strategic medical initiatives while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in healthcare institutions in clinical, epidemiology and/or health systems.
• Fluent in English.
• Field-based medical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engaging in peer-to-peer exchange of medical and scientific information with SLs or KDMs.
• Supporting internal stakeholders by providing scientific training in the therapeutic area.
• Participating in the development of Medical Affairs Plans and implementing related activities.

Skills

Adaptability

Communication

Data Analysis

Clinical Research

Scientific Communications

Education

MD, PharmD, PhD in life sciences

Job description

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 company 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.

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 our 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 our company Investigator Studies Program (MISP).
• Providing insights internally on the scientific gaps, ideas and other topics gathered from scientific exchange.
• Supporting our 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 our 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 company 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 our company.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

Minimum

• MD, PharmD, PhD in life sciences.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in healthcare institutions in clinical, epidemiology and/or health systems.
• Availability to travel up to 35% when required.

Preferred

• Field-based medical experience.
• Relevant therapeutic experience in vaccines.
• Demonstrated record of scientific/medical publication.
• A team player with excellent interpersonal skills, and a proactive “can do” attitude.
• Strong scientific baseline knowledge in therapeutic area of vaccines, 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 TA.
• 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.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
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.

Employee Status:

Regular

Job Description

Medical Science Liaison Vaccines

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 company 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.

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 our 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 our company Investigator Studies Program (MISP).
• Providing insights internally on the scientific gaps, ideas and other topics gathered from scientific exchange.
• Supporting our 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 our 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 company 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 our company.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

Minimum

• MD, PharmD, PhD in life sciences.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in healthcare institutions in clinical, epidemiology and/or health systems.
• Availability to travel up to 35% when required.
• Fluent in English language.

Preferred

• Field-based medical experience.
• Relevant therapeutic experience in vaccines.
• Demonstrated record of scientific/medical publication.

Skills / Knowledge / Competencies

• A team player with excellent interpersonal skills, and a proactive “can do” attitude.
• Strong scientific baseline knowledge in therapeutic area of vaccines, 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 TA.
• 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.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
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.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

no

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Advisory Board Development, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Business Administration, Clinical Data, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Design, Clinical Testing, Communication, Data Analysis, Epidemiology, Healthcare Education, Health Economics, Management Process, Medical Affairs, Medical Marketing Strategy, Medical Review, Medical Training, Medical Writing, Oncology Marketing, Pharmaceutical Industry, Project Management, Scientific Communications {+ 5 more}

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

06/30/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

About the company

Merck & Co., Inc.,

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