This is what you will do:
The Senior Medical Science Liaison (Sr. MSL) is a field-based scientific expert that strategically supports the medical and scientific objectives of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease’s product/s across the product/s life cycle. The individual is a peer scientific expert who communicates accurate and applicable science to Healthcare Practitioners (HCPs) within a geographic area. The individual manages and maintains collegial and professional relationships with HCPs and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and identifies and facilitates collaboration opportunities with Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. The Senior MSL ideally has established relationships with HCPs in their therapeutic area and mentors/coaches other MSLs in the creation and implementation of robust HCP engagement plans. The Senior MSL combines strong business acumen and clinical expertise and serves as a peer-to-peer liaison internally to Medical Directors, USMA Leadership Team, cross-functional partners and externally (HCPs & KOLs). The individual anticipates roadblocks and barriers based on the business and therapeutic area landscape and identifies ways to overcome these barriers with limited input from the leadership team.
You will be responsible for:
HCP relationship management
- Evaluates their territory to profile and identify the HCPs to engage and build relationships with, as well as identify, important centers of excellence
- Develops clear, succinct, impactful HCP engagement plans, aligned with medical strategic goals and objectives. Evaluates and refines plans as needed per the progress against the quarterly focus priorities
- Gains and maintains HCPs’ trust and respect by effectively providing and communicating relevant scientific/medical information on the company’s products and disease states
- Gathers and disseminates HCP insights as appropriate internally to help inform the medical strategy and creates/facilitates new opportunities for engagement approaches and/or resource development
- Develops strong working relationships in different external business settings
Scientific knowledge and training
- Keeps current with scientific knowledge within assigned products and therapeutic area and integrates scientific/medical knowledge from HCPs and literature to identify insights and/or forecast trends that might have an impact across brands and escalates actionable information to appropriate stakeholders
- Supports scientific exchange of product/disease state with external stakeholders (HCPs) as needed
- Provides and educates on relevant scientific information to other internal teams and functions as appropriate
- Demonstrates a proficient understanding of real-world evidence and HEOR
Research & Development
- Demonstrates a proficient understanding of clinical study design and protocols
- Ensures HCPs and stakeholders receive focused and balanced clinical and scientific information
- Exhibits expertise in applicable research outcomes to credibly conduct effective discussion with HCPs
- Supports applicable externally sponsored research and clinical trials, as appropriate
US Healthcare system knowledge
- Maintains proficient knowledge of the current US healthcare system environment and its impact on the rare disease ecosystem
- Builds a systematic understanding of the foundations of managed markets
- Acquires a thorough understanding of the flow of information in managed care and government organizations
You will need to have:
Minimum Education
- BS Degree in Biological Sciences or related major
- 3+ years of professional experience in a clinical setting or related therapeutic area
Preferred Experience
- MD, PharmD, or PhD in biological sciences strongly preferred and/or a minimum of 2 years track record of success as an MSL
Minimum Experience
- Industry experience or equivalent (preferably >3 years)
Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Has excellent communication skills (oral and written)
- Energetically embraces responsibilities and demonstrates the ability to achieve goals
- Has a strong personal initiative
- Functions well as part of a cross-functional team
- Exhibits excellent time management
- Able to work independently
- Demonstrates leadership skills and high-level job competencies
- Preferably experienced in relevant therapeutic areas relating to drugs in development, recently launched and marketed biologics/ therapies
- Must have shown considerable and consistent high performance as MSL and demonstration of appropriate independent decision-making skills
Additional Role Requirements
- Office is home based. Travel within region 3-4 days per week with 1-2 office days per week
- Person should be able to travel minimum ~70% time
- Required travel to medical meetings, team meetings and other group meetings (including possible weekends, as dictated by conference schedule)
- Candidate is required to live within the territory
- The duties of this role are generally conducted in a field environment. As is typical of a field-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation, to travel by public transportation, automobile, train, or plane; work comfortably in a clinical setting; use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; problem solve; engage in complex and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours
- At AstraZeneca, we are taking bold action on climate because we recognize the connection between healthy people and a healthy planet. As part of our flagship Ambition Zero Carbon program, we have committed to a fully electric vehicle (EV) fleet by the end of 2025, which means that all of our drivers will be assigned an EV. Ability to travel within territory on a regular basis which will include frequent overnight and weekend travel. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required).
- All activities should be conducted per Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease policies.
Date Posted
30-Sep-2026
Closing Date
06-Oct-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
