How To Get A Job In Medical Science Liaison

Meta: Are you considering a career in the life sciences sector? If you’re wondering how to get a job
in Medical Science Liaison, Xplore Life Science can help.

If you’ve ever thought about working as an MSL you may be wondering how to get a job in the
medical science liaison sector. There is more demand for MSLs than ever before, and more
companies these days are seeking to hire skilled experts. If you want to begin your career in this
field, read on to learn more about how to get started.

What Does A Medical Science Liaison Do?

A medical science liaison is an expert that interacts with the medical community as a whole,
informing and advising on the latest treatment advances. As such, they have a vital role to play in
any medical device, biotech or pharma company.

An MSL will liaise with marketing and sales teams to ensure they’re promoting a message that is
both relevant and accurate. They are non-commercial resources that take responsibility for
representing the organization they work for, and this makes them key to that company’s success.
With specific experience and advanced scientific training, they focus on a certain area of therapy or
disease.

Typically, an MSL will be field-based, taking responsibility for a region or area. They meet with
physicians and other key opinion leaders as well as visiting academic and medical institutions to
educate about their specific field and to discuss relevant clinical and scientific data. MSLs don’t sell
products – rather they sell the science that lies behind those products by educating and advising
doctors. As such, an MSL must stay on top of the latest scientific advancements, and this means
carrying out research and going to conferences.

Is There A Lot Of Demand For MSLs?

One of the first questions that you may be asking is whether there are plenty of vacancies available
in this industry. The good news is that at the present time, there is a great demand for MSLs since
they have a vital role to play in any life sciences company. They’re pivotal in setting up solid
networks of key opinion leaders, physicians and hospitals which are essential for their company’s
success.

This means that there is great variety in the type of career paths you’re able to take. Although roles
vary between organizations, usually MSLs have the chance to move upwards into senior MSL roles.
MSLs with considerable experience can become directors or medical managers, or may choose to
move to an office-based position, for example into a medical advisory role.

What Kind Of Skills Do I Require To Get An MSL Job?

An MSL is an expert and therefore, they must have advanced academic/scientific training. Most have
either been a medical doctor, a PhD or a pharmacist. MSLs must also be excellent communicators.
Since most people applying for MSL jobs already have the necessary qualifications and skills,
differentiating yourself so that you stand out from the crowd is imperative.

Where Do I Begin?

Networking is usually the most common way of finding an MSL post, yet this is a time consuming and
stressful route to take. Some prospective candidates check out company websites, tracking their
jobs pages, and ensuring that your resume is properly tailored to the job description’s requirements
is vital. Unfortunately, this can also be a long-winded and tedious process, and having to make
individual applications for each post can be frustrating. This is why so many prospective candidates
choose to use the services of a dedicated recruitment agency.

Xplore Life Science is a recruitment consultancy that specializes in finding suitable candidates for
organizations within the life sciences sector. Thanks to our expertise in the industry, we’re a top
choice for MSLs at any stage of their career who are looking for the most exciting and lucrative
opportunities. Whether you’re seeking an entry level position for your first medical science liaison
role, or whether you’re taking your next step up the career ladder, you’re sure to find that our
talented and committed recruitment team are best-placed to find the ideal position for you.

Contact our recruitment team today and send us a copy of your up-to-date resume. We’re looking
forward to helping you learn more about how to get a job in medical science liaison, and to finding
out more about your unique requirements and preferences when it comes to matching you with the
perfect post for you. Give us a call now and you could soon be on your way to the job of your
dreams.