Medical Science Liaison / Senior Medical Science Liaison - COVID/Virology - Northwest/Bay Area

Field-based representative of the Medical Affairs Organization that supports and represents Shionogi Inc. and its products with key opinion leaders (KOLs), clinicians, institutions, and professional organizations. This role focuses on relationship building and management of KOLs, providing meaningful scientific exchange at national, regional, and local levels in academic and clinical practice settings. The incumbent addresses specific needs of healthcare professionals (HCPs) by responding to unsolicited requests for information about marketed and developing products. As a clinical and scientific expert, the MSL/Sr. MSL builds long-term relationships and establishes rapport with HCPs through scientific disease state and product discussions. The role also serves as a resource to company management regarding therapeutic area dynamics, business development, and KOL feedback, while working cross-functionally with internal departments and external resources.

Responsibilities

• Establish, manage, and maintain relationships with healthcare entities including KOLs, HCPs, academic institutions, payors, and patient organizations to serve as an educational, research, and clinical/scientific resource.
• Design and execute plans for the assigned MSL region aligned with medical strategy and KOL priorities.
• Identify relevant HCPs in the context of medical strategy and patient needs.
• Respond to and document unsolicited medical and scientific requests for information.
• Liaise with investigators on unsolicited requests for investigator-initiated research submissions.
• Deliver, and may develop/design, fair-balanced clinical and scientific presentations for HCPs, payors, and patient organizations with medical review committee approval.
• Identify and train speakers for advisory boards, symposia, and educational programs using approved materials (slide sets, abstracts, posters, etc.).
• Attend national and regional medical/scientific meetings and symposia as a company representative, engaging in discussions, attending scientific sessions, and summarizing findings.
• Evaluate competitor research and stay current on therapeutic advances; analyze and present relevant intelligence to internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate across multi-disciplinary internal groups (Clinical, Regulatory, Commercial, Legal, Compliance) to support medical/scientific and business objectives.
• Provide disease state, clinical, and scientific training to functional teams and input to management on therapeutic advances, business opportunities, and KOL feedback.
• Maintain awareness of medical/clinical, regulatory, compliance, and quality issues; adhere to company standards.
• Complete accurate and timely submission of administrative reports, expense reports, training, KOL documentation, and conference reports.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) as assigned by Medical Affairs leadership.
• Design and deliver training programs to build operational excellence within the team.
• Work with cross-functional teams (Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial, Quality Assurance) to drive alignment and achieve operational goals.
• Lead change management efforts for process improvements and operational initiatives.
• Assess industry best practices and internal needs to enhance medical impact and operational efficiencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Doctoral-level degree in life sciences with strong scientific knowledge highly preferred; postgraduate degree in virology, infectious disease, epidemiology, or related fields considered.
• Previous MSL experience in the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry required; respiratory infectious disease experience preferred (COVID-19 experience a plus).
• 5+ years of MSL experience may qualify for a Senior MSL role.
• Experience in outpatient medical communities and both pre- and post-launch product approval activities preferred.
• Clinical, scientific, and technical knowledge within infectious or respiratory diseases preferred.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical industry and business strategies.
• Knowledge of current regulatory guidelines to ensure compliance in scientific interactions, unsolicited questions, clinical trials, and research.
• Ethical and professional behavior, adhering to company guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Skills

• Adept at building and maintaining relationships with key healthcare providers and industry stakeholders.
• Collaborates effectively with internal and external colleagues across all levels and roles.
• Communicates and presents scientific/medical information to diverse audiences (HCPs, researchers, payors, KOLs).
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously, organizing, communicating, and prioritizing work effectively.
• Strategic thinker who identifies opportunities and finds innovative solutions to challenges.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS TEAMS, and video conferencing.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing healthcare environments, industry conditions, and organizational needs.

Other Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 75% of the time (typically 3 days a week in the designated region plus 6–10+ annual conferences/meetings).
• Must live within the assigned geographic territory and commutable distance to a large airport.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record; ability to pass a background check.
• Valid licenses and credentialing required to conduct business in the assigned territory.

Pay

The base salary range for this full-time position is $175,000 – $220,000. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range does not include comprehensive benefits, bonus, long-term incentives, allowances, or additional compensation.