Job Description

Medical Science Liaison (MSL)

Role Summary

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a credentialed therapeutic and disease expert (MD, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent) who engages in non-promotional, peer-to-peer scientific exchange with Scientific Leaders (SLs) and Key Decision Makers in the external medical community.

Operating as a trusted, field-based scientific partner, MSL provides balanced, factual, and cutting-edge scientific information aligned with the stakeholder’s professional needs and the Company’s Areas of Interest (AOI). MSL serves as a key scientific resource, aligning activities across four core pillars: Scientific Exchange, Research, Scientific Congress Support, and Scientific Insights, while acting as a role model for the field medical team. Hybrid Role that has contact with non-traditional SLs & KDMs, providing accurate information on the company’s therapeutic areas.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

1. Scientific Exchange

• Peer-to-Peer Engagement: Develop and maintain professional, non-promotional relationships with national and regional Scientific Leaders, ensuring active listening and strategic engagement.
• Scientific Inquiry Resolution: Respond to unsolicited requests for medical, scientific, pipeline, or marketed product information utilizing approved, high-quality scientific materials.
• Technical & Formulary Support: Provide rigorous medical/scientific support, including documentation and verbal interactions, for Health Technology Assessments (HTA) and formulary decisions.
• Compliance: Ensure all activities strictly adhere to local regulations, local industry codes, and the Guiding Principles for Ex-US Global Medical Affairs.

1. Scientific Congress Support

• Congress Strategy and Scientific Presence: Represent Medical Affairs at local, regional, or international medical events, collaborating on pre-congress scientific preparation and post-event scientific summaries. Staff congress exhibits booths as applicable.

1. Scientific Insights

• Insight Generation: Systematically gather feedback, data, and medical insights during routine activities to help the company better comprehend medical/scientific needs, diagnostic barriers, and priorities of healthcare practitioners and patients.

1. Inclusive Mindset & Leadership

• Culture of Belonging: Demonstrate eagerness to contribute to an environment of belonging, equity, and empowerment, serving as a role model for team collaboration.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

• Education: Medical Doctor (MD), PharmD, PhD, or equivalent terminal degree in Life Sciences.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 (three) years of relevant experience as an MSL or in Clinical Research, Medical Affairs, or Pharmacovigilance within the Pharmaceutical Industry or a CRO.
• Therapeutic Expertise: Proven competence and clinical or research experience in the assigned therapeutic area. Experience in Vaccines, Cardiovascular/Atherosclerosis, or Immunology is highly preferred.
• Language: Professional fluency (excellent verbal and written communication skills) in both English and Spanish.
• Compliance & SOPs: Strong working knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, clinical trial methodologies, and field standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Location: Must be based in Bogotá, Colombia, with availability to travel over 50% of the time (local and international).

Core Competencies:

• Ability to conduct high-level discussions with key external stakeholders (SLs, KDMs, Medical associations), and active listening skills
• A thorough comprehension of local/regional regulatory agencies, health care system and other ethical guidelines, laws, and regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and its customers
• Strong collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in the Colombian health care system and Latam countries preferred.
• Proficiency in digital productivity tools and AI.

Preferred

• Medical or Clinical research experience
• Demonstrated record of scientific/medical publication
• Relevant therapeutic area experience
• Proven competence and a minimum of 3 years of relevant therapeutic area experience

Required Skills:

Advisory Board Development, Clinical Trial Planning, Continuing Medical Education (CME), Data Analysis, Medical Knowledge, Medical Marketing Strategy, Medical Policy Development, Medical Training, Multiple Therapeutic Areas, Pharmaceutical Medical Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Scientific Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

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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:

Project Temps (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

10/16/2026

*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.