phd medical science liaison

Medical Science Liaison

Medical science liaisons (MSLs) can have various job titles such as clinical science liaisons, medical liaisons, medical science managers, regional medical directors, and regional medical scientists. As you may have guessed from the name, a medical science liaison serves as a bridge between leading researchers, clinicians, physicians, and companies. They work as scientific resources and experts, advising their clients on scientific matters, treatments, and relaying scientific data.

Medical science liaisons generally specialize in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other healthcare-related fields. They can concentrate on a specific disease state or therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and infectious diseases.

While MSLs may regularly have to work with marketing and sales teams, it must be noted that their role is not that of a salesperson. Instead, they act as a knowledgeable link between product development and the healthcare industry at large. They are clinical researchers who bring the latest knowledge and research of therapeutic specialties to the people developing therapeutic products.

The nature of an MSL role is such that professionals can expect extensive traveling to meet clients and also to attend industry conferences. The role involves spending time in meetings and delivering complex data in an easy to understand manner. Thus, medical science liaisons must also have excellent interpersonal, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Medical Science Liaison Specializations & Degree Types

In order to become a medical science liaison, one generally needs to have a doctorate in life sciences with a focus on human health or medicine, as this is the minimum employers require. Some of the common degrees aspirants can pursue include a medical doctorate (MD), a doctorate of philosophy (PhD), or a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD).

Some MSLs have registered nurse (RN) or master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees and acquire years of experience in a particular therapeutic field such as pain management, metabolism, cardiovascular, and oncology. If a professional has extensive experience in medicine, a healthcare-related MBA can also be a choice to enter this field.

Irrespective of a candidate’s area of concentration, employers do seek professionals who have taken courses in epidemiology and pharmacy. Additionally, because MSLs often interact with regulatory agencies, prospective candidates should also consider taking classes in health economics or health policy. Finally, since the job involves a great deal of communication, a course in public speaking would also be helpful.

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Medical liaison degree program admissions requirements.

According to the Medical Science Liaison Institute , an advanced degree, such as a PharmD, MD, or PhD in research science, is highly recommended to begin a career in the field. (Please note, however, that the minimum educational requirement for the Medical Science Liaison Society—the MSL-BC—is a bachelor’s degree and qualifying work experience.)

Since MSLs act as consultants for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, the candidates must also have interpersonal skills, including the ability to create and to sustain relationships with industry leaders. Candidates must also be skilled at research.

The common admission requirements for degrees such as PhD, MD or PharmD are as follows :

A bachelor’s degree is required for all program applicants, and a master’s degree may be required for selected programs
Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0
GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores are often required for admittance into PhD programs in the US
Students who are from a country where English is not the official language will have to take the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Letters of recommendation from professors or higher education administrators will improve the chances of getting accepted.
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
A writing sample

While the above constitute general admission requirements for these programs, students must note that each university may also have some other special requirements. In order to increase their chances of getting accepted into a program, students must carefully review each program’s admission requirements.

Medical Liaison Program Accreditation

Before taking up a master’s, doctorate, or PharmD program, students must look out for programmatic or regional accreditation. Accreditation is a process by which universities are reviewed to ensure that they provide quality education. For students and employers, graduating from an accredited university is a mark of trust and assurance.

Those aspiring to pursue a career as a medical science liaison should look out for an accreditation from the following bodies:

The American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) provides accreditation to doctor of pharmacy degrees to ensure that they meet educational qualifications.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an accrediting body that has been recognized by the US Secretary of Education as an accrediting body at the national level.
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the accrediting body for medical schools from which students can earn an MD.

Please note that regardless of the type of degree chosen, prospective medical science professionals are encouraged to ensure that their institution of choice is accredited by a body recognized by the Commission for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

On-Campus Degree Programs for Medical Science Liaisons

Please note that there are various types of degrees for aspiring medical science liaisons; it depends on which area or product a person wants to concentrate on.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California offers a full-time doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program, providing students with an immersive clinical experience as well as quality science education, so they can come up with innovations and solutions.

Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, pre-pharmacy courses completed with a grade of C (or higher), one official transcript from each higher education institution attended, and three letters of recommendation.

The program consists of 136 credits. The curriculum includes topics such as pharmaceutics, metabolism and cell biology, pharmacokinetics, the endocrine system, oncology, acute care clinical APPE, and primary care APPE. Through the program, students will learn how to provide healthcare focused on patients, gain therapeutic and medical knowledge, and develop themselves personally as well as professionally.

This PharmD program prepares students for a career in clinical pharmacy practice, community pharmacy, geriatric pharmacy, healthcare, and hospital pharmacy. They can also take up the role of an MLS after completing this program and several years of professional experience.

Location : Los Angeles, California
Accreditation : The American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE)
Expected Time to Completion : 48 months
Estimated Tuition : $74,052 per year

University of Delaware

The University of Delaware offers a PhD program in medical sciences. It prepares students for research in fields such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, immunology, oncology, infectious diseases, and other health conditions.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor of science, master of science or an equivalent degree, minimum GRE scores (148 on quantitative reasoning and 150 on verbal reasoning), and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or more. Laboratory research experience of one or more years is preferred.

Made up of 44 credits, the program includes courses such as preparing research proposals, advanced mammalian physiology, cellular and molecular immunology, data analysis and interpretation in health sciences, and biological data analysis.

The program provides students with practical experience in designing and writing research proposals and get a complete overview of statistics in health sciences research. They also learn about how immunology can affect a person’s response to infection.

With the skills gained in the program, students will be well-equipped to take up a medical science liaison role.

Location : Newark, Delaware
Accreditation : Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Expected Time to Completion : 48 to 60 months
Estimated Tuition : $1,028 per credit hour

University of Georgia – College of Pharmacy

The PhD in clinical and experimental therapeutics at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy can be a valuable degree for an aspiring medical science liaison. This program combines therapeutics-related research with basic laboratory science and clinical research. The primary goal of this program is to encourage research in pharmaceutical sciences. Students rotate through several labs allowing them to learn about numerous methods of research, before they decide on their field and dissertation.

While students must complete the required coursework, they will spend the majority of their time in the labs performing research for professors and working on their own dissertations. Projects currently underway that students can join include pathogenesis and treatment of stroke, disease mechanism and treatment of optic neuropathy, extracellular matrix remodeling and pulmonary fibrosis, and smooth muscle biology and glucose transporters. Admission to this program is competitive and students must supply GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a writing, sample, and official transcripts.

Location : Athens, Georgia
Accreditation : Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
Expected Time to Completion : Three to five years
Estimated Tuition : $44,752 per year

University of Minnesota – College of Pharmacy

The Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy offers both a master’s of science and a doctorate in experimental and clinical pharmacology. Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in clinical research. Students in this program will study a wide variety of applications and approaches to pharmacology including neuropharmacology, infectious diseases, pharmacogenomics, and experimental pharmacotherapy.

Master’s degree students must complete 24 credits in core coursework and ten credits of thesis or project credits while PhD students must complete 24 credits of coursework and 24 credits in a thesis or project. Weekly seminars provide students with up-to-date insights and research from top professionals in the field. To be considered for admission, students must submit GRE scores, a current resume or CV, a description of research experience, a personal statement, a diversity statement, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a completed application.

Location : Minneapolis, Minnesota
Accreditation : Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
Expected Time to Completion : Two to five years
Estimated Tuition : $27,864 per year (residents); $32,000 per year (non-residents)

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

The molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics track in the Biomedical Research Training department at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science trains students to perform cutting-edge research on biological mechanisms and then apply those findings to create new therapies. Graduates of this program have an average of six publications to their name by the time they complete this program. This is due to the emphasis on original research, which prepares students for lucrative careers in research.

All students in this program receive a fellowship that not only includes full tuition but provides a living stipend and pays for benefits. This allows students to focus solely on their research without having to worry about incurring loans or working part-time. Students must take a rigorous course load their first two years in the program. The final three years of this program are solely dedicated to research.

Location : Rochester, Minnesota
Accreditation : Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion : Five years
Estimated Tuition : All students in this program receive a fellowship that includes tuition, a stipend, and benefits

Online or Hybrid Degree Programs for Medical Science Liaisons

Creighton University

Creighton University offers a doctor of pharmacy distance education program. This program has been recognized as one of the finest PharmD programs available online. This program covers the same material as the traditional on-campus program but in an online format.

Prior to entering the program, students must have completed at least 63 semester-hours (or 95 quarter-hours) of college-level coursework. Other admission requirements include official transcripts from each institution attended and two letters of recommendation.

The program is made up of 143 credits. It includes instruction in microbiology and immunology, pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, foundations of public health, immunopharmacology and biotechnology, and pharmacy practice management.

Please note that students will be required to complete laboratory activities on campus in the summer for two to four weeks. For the rest of the program, students will get a chance to interact with faculty web conferencing software, email, discussion boards, telephone and other media.

Apart from the theoretical knowledge gained in the program, students develop essential soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, and an empathetic approach. They learn how to use their skills in supporting evidence-based pharmacy practice; collaborate and communicate effectively with caregivers, patients, other healthcare professionals; and participate in interdisciplinary healthcare administrative activities.

At the end of the program, graduates can seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private companies, research and academic institutions, and government organizations.

Location : Omaha, Nebraska
Accreditation : North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
Estimated Tuition : Years one to three $39,514 each; year four $58,318

University Of Central Florida

The University Of Central Florida offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) program. The coursework offered in this program is 100 percent online. The degree offers the following three tracks:

Nursing Leadership and Management – This is an accredited program preparing experienced and emerging nurse leaders for advanced leadership roles
Nurse Educator – This accredited program is designed for nurses who wish to teach in undergraduate nursing or health professions programs.
Nursing and Healthcare Simulation – This program is ideal for nurses wanting to pursue an accredited master of science in nursing program with a special focus on simulation. They will be prepared for developing and leading healthcare and nursing simulation programs.

Students who have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and wish to move into a leadership role are ideal for taking up this program.

Major admission requirements for the program include a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree earned from a regionally accredited institution (the program must also hold accreditation from the CCNE or ACEN), official transcripts, an undergraduate statistics course, RN license, an essay, a current resume, and three letters of recommendation.

The program comprises 31 to 36 credits and helps students develop management, teaching, and leadership strategies for improving the quality of healthcare within their institution. Core courses in this program include theory for advanced practice nursing, legal and professional behavior in advanced nursing practice, research methodology for advanced practice nursing, and evidence-based practice.

Courses in the respective concentrations include:

Nurse Educator Track – The pathophysiological bases for advanced nursing practice, curriculum development in nursing education, evaluation in nursing education, teaching strategies for nurse educators
Nurse Leadership and Management Track – Organizational dynamics, healthcare informatics, financial management and resource development, nursing leadership and management, nursing environment management
Nursing and Healthcare Simulation Track – An introduction to nursing and healthcare simulation, organizational leadership and operations in healthcare simulation, healthcare simulation capstone project, pathophysiological bases for advanced nursing practice

Graduates of the program can take up roles such as director of nursing, chief nursing officer, nurse administrator, healthcare administrator, and nurse educator.

Location : Orlando, Florida
Accreditation : Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Expected Time to Completion : Four to seven semesters
Estimated Tuition : $327.32 per credit (residents); $1,151.72 per credit (non-residents)

George Washington University – School of Business

While the online healthcare MBA offered at George Washington University School of Business alone isn’t sufficient for a career as a medical science liaison, it can be an asset to someone with a strong medical or research background. Education on the business side of healthcare can provide valuable insight when providing consulting services to healthcare organizations. Additionally, this program offers several graduate certificates that can help professionals stand out in this field including one in regulatory affairs and another in clinical research administration.

The online format of this MBA allows students to complete their studies while continuing to work. Most students take classes part-time, allowing for even greater flexibility. Typically students complete their studies in four to five years. Student can customize their education with electives from the business school or other colleges across campus.

Location : Washington, DC
Accreditation : Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion : Four to five years
Estimated Tuition : $2,215 per credit

A.T. Still University – College of Graduate Health Studies

The online doctor of health science (DHSc) program at A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies trains students to develop solutions to the ongoing issues in healthcare, including costs, quality of care, and access. Students have the opportunity to select one of three concentrations which are global health, leadership and organizational behavior, or fundamentals of education. Graduates are able to effectively evaluate literature, apply research, communicate effectively, and lead teams.

Unlike a PhD program where students are typically strictly immersed in research, this DhSC program prepares graduates to apply their research to real-world scenarios. Admission requirements include official transcripts, already holding a degree from an accredited institution, a resume, a completed essay, and a completed application. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency.

Location : Mesa, AZ
Accreditation : Higher Learning Commission
Estimated Tuition : $610 per credit

Duquesne University – School of Pharmacy

Duquesne University School of Pharmacy offers a four-year online doctor of pharmacy degree program. There are short required on-campus programs during the first three years of the program as well as clinical experiences each summer. The fourth year is entirely remote. Students in the online program are taught by the same faculty as the on-campus degree. This program boasts a 99 percent placement rate for graduates over the past 25 years.

To be considered for admission, candidates need to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution as well as have completed extensive prerequisite coursework in science and math. Applicants must also take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Once admission is offered, students are subject to a background check prior to matriculation.

Location : Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Expected Time to Completion : Four years
Estimated Tuition : $1,899 per credit

University of Lynchburg

The doctor of medical science (DMSc) program at the University of Lynchburg is designed to help practicing physician’s assistants attain a doctorate-level degree. This is an entirely online program that can be completed while continuing to work and without having to relocate. This degree can be completed in as little as a year and prepares graduates for leadership positions or to launch into a new medical-related career, such as medical science liaison. There are no residency requirements for this degree.

The University of Lynchburg has formed a partnership with the Medical Science Liaison Society for PAs who are interested in pursuing this career. In addition to incentives for both University of Lynchburg students and MSL members, there are training classes to help aspiring professionals break into this career. This enables aspiring professionals the explore this career while earning their advanced degree.

Location : Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation : Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion : One year
Estimated Tuition : $28,379 for the entire program

How Long Does it Take to Become a Medical Science Liaison?

A medical science liaison generally has a PhD, which can take around four to five years to complete. Prior to earning a PhD, students must pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. Most bachelor’s degrees take four years of full-time study. One should also take into account two to three years of clinical experience to qualify for medical science liaison jobs.

Thus, it can take around ten postsecondary years to become a medical science liaison.

How To Become a Medical Science Liaison – Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a step by step guide to becoming a medical science liaison:

Step 1: Graduate From a Bachelor’s Degree Program (Four Years)

Aspiring medical science liaisons are encouraged to study a field in the natural sciences or engineering, depending on their intended career focus.

Step 2: Complete a Graduate Degree Program (Two or More Years, Optional)

Most medical science liaison positions require a minimum of a doctorate degree, while a selected few roles may be available for those with a master’s. At this stage, an aspiring medical science liaison narrows their academic focus.

There are various therapeutic areas they can choose from, detailed in the specialization section above. In order to transition into a medical science liaison role, it is imperative for candidates to have expertise in a specific area.

This step is optional because candidates with a bachelor’s degree and two or more years of qualifying professional experience can apply for the Medical Science Liaison Society board certification (MSL-BC).

Step 3: Get Qualifying Work Experience (Two or More Years)

Students must gain at least two to three years of clinical experience for qualifying for medical science liaison jobs. Students can enhance their expertise and future prospects by pursuing MSL roles that correlate with their expertise. If necessary, students can also join professional associations for medical science liaisons, to help them network within the medical community.

Finally, some medical science liaisons choose to become professionally certified. Read about the MSLS certification and licensure in the section below.

What Do Medical Science Liaisons Do?

A medical science liaison is a scientific, clinical, and drug expert within the medical department of a biotech, pharmaceutical, or related type of company. They answer complex questions about how drugs can be designed, how they work, and disease profiles. Companies generally hire medical science liaisons to help them bring new innovations and drugs to the market. They convey complex information to external stakeholders of a company, often referred to as key opinion leaders.

Typical tasks that a medical science liaison may undertake include:

Respond to information requests
Train marketing and sales teams in an organization
Study clinical practices and trends
Host advisory boards
Consult with medical professionals and product developers
Keep a tab on scientific literature for new developments

Medical Science Liaison Certification & Licensure

The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) has developed a professional certification for MSL professionals: the MSL Board Certification (MSL-BC). This credential is valid for a limited time period and can be earned by meeting criteria set by the certification board.

The main goal of the MSL Board Certification is to set industry standards for the medical science liaison profession. This is done by providing a test-based assessment to peers and employers about a candidate’s industry knowledge. This certification signifies an individual’s industry knowledge and enables career advancement.

Eligibility criteria for this certification include:

A background in health sciences
Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited educational institution
Two years of full-time work experience medical science liaison
How Much Do Medical Science Liaisons Make?

The average salary for a medical science liaison is $148,984 nationally, according to PayScale.com (2023).

10th percentile: $107,000
Median (50th percentile): $149,000
90th percentile: $186,000

They work in healthcare and are often employed at biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or medical device companies, as well as in managed care. Not surprisingly, one’s salary varies greatly by region, type of industry, education, and experience. For example, the average pay by experience level for medical science liaisons according to PayScale (2023), is as follows:

One year or less: $133,000
One to four years: $147,000
Five to nine years: $147,000
Ten to 19 years: $167,000
20+ years: $172,000

Medical Science Liaison Career Alternatives

Here are some alternatives to a career as a medical science liaison.

Become a Health Services Manager

Healthcare is a large business, and as such, it needs high-quality managers. Health service managers work at all levels of healthcare providing oversight services to help clinics, hospitals, outpatient centers, and government agencies run smoothly and provide the highest level of patient care. Typical duties include budget management, staffing, implementing best practices, ensuring compliance, and communicating with senior staff

Typical Education: Master’s degree
Licensing or Certifying Organization: Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management (PAHCOM)

Become a Healthcare Project Manager

Healthcare businesses have a myriad of ongoing and one-time projects. Often, these projects are overseen by healthcare project managers . Projects can include everything from hiring staff to reducing patient wait times to launching a new research study. Most healthcare project managers have a master’s in business, nursing, public health, or health information systems.

Licensing or Certifying Organization: Project Management Institute (PMI)

Become a Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications according to physicians’ orders. They also interact with patients providing education on the medications prescribed and the proper way to take them. Pharmacists also evaluate patients for possible drug interactions and can be key players in ensuring patients take their medicine as prescribed.

Typical Education: Doctor of pharmacy (PharmD)
Licensing or Certifying Organization: Board of Pharmacy Specialties

Farheen Gani

Farheen Gani is a writer and research expert in healthcare degrees. She has written about healthcare career scholarships, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and reproductive health specialists, among other topics, since 2019. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).

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What’s a Medical Science Liaison and how do I become one?

By uczjsdd, on 12 November 2018

What are you up to now?

I’m a Medical Science Liaison at Incyte, so I build and maintain relationships with key healthcare professionals in my therapy area, which is oncology.

Walk us through your journey from PhD to your current role.

At first I loved my PhD. But after 18 months, I became disillusioned with the fact that you can be plugging away at things for a really long time and they can still not work. I also saw colleagues who were really good scientists getting knocked back for grants, and that seemed an incredibly hard path to follow without much gain. So I started to think academia wasn’t for me, but I had no idea what else was out there. I finished my PhD without a plan, and it was 2008 so the recession had hit. I decided to just try to get any job in any office, but I couldn’t get anything because there were no jobs going. It was quite a weird time for me.

I ended up getting a job temping in an office for an organisation called the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), who regulates certain healthcare professionals such as paramedics and physiotherapists. I started off answering phones, but because I got on well with them and they could see that I was ready for more, I secured a higher level permanent role in the Education team. I was visiting universities that offered relevant healthcare courses and ensuring they were good enough to produce a professional in that field.

After a year I wanted a new challenge, so I took a job at the charity Breast Cancer Now. The job required a PhD, as I was evaluating science to help inform everything the charity said and did, including commenting to the media, giving health information to the public, or putting together political campaigns. It was very varied, I did a lot of work with the media, I met patients, and I went to events at the House of Commons for policy work. But after a few years there I wanted to try a new environment, and I focused on pharma. I’d been working alongside the pharmaceutical industry for a while, and I’d always been interested in drug access. Plus, to be frank, I was at a stage where I was interested in earning a higher salary than charities can pay, so that was factor.

I was drawn to MSL roles as they would use my PhD, are very science-focused, and need someone personable who likes being out and about talking to doctors. So I applied for lots of MSL roles within Contract Research Organisations and Pharmaceutical companies, but I kept getting turned down because I didn’t have experience as an MSL or within pharma. In the meantime I went to a meeting with the ABPI, the body that represents the UK pharma industry. There I met a woman who worked at Lilly who was running a corporate affairs project in the cancer team, which seemed like much the kind of work I had been involved with at the charity – working with different groups involved in cancer-related policy. She mentioned there would be roles coming up in her team soon and asked for my CV, and they took me on as an Oncology Public Affairs Manager. I loved that job, I worked with different charities and the ABPI, with NHS England and the Department of Health, trying to find sustainable ways to fund cancer services and medicines. I’m pretty political anyway, so I really enjoyed the role, however, policy work can be frustrating, as ultimately the government doesn’t have to listen to the campaigning of charities and companies, and can make decisions based on other political factors.

After three years I felt it was time to have a different kind of conversation, so when my Medical Director offered me the opportunity to move into the MSL role at Lilly, I took it. The MSL role is far more about scientific conversations; talking about the data behind drugs, the benefit drugs provide versus the risks; talking about research that’s needed and how doctors and researchers can help with that, and how you can offer your drugs to fund their research projects. I did that role for about a year, at which point some restructuring changes at Lilly prompted me to find a new opportunity, and led me to my current MSL role at Incyte.

What does a normal working day look like for you?

One of the good things about the MSL role is there is no normal day. Today I’m in the office organising an Investigator Meeting for a clinical study Incyte are sponsoring. We’re hoping to have 50 or 60 investigators there so together we can share and discuss data from our study so far. Yesterday I went to a one-day conference in central London about graft-versus-host disease. Last Wednesday I was visiting a hospital in Cardiff, talking to a team working on one of our clinical studies. Last Thursday I was at another study site in Cambridge. Next week I’m going to a large cancer conference in Munich, and in preparation I’m reaching out to investigators on our clinical studies to see if they’ll be there so we can catch up. Last week I organised for one of the doctors we work with to speak at a range of hospitals in Dublin, which benefits the hospitals to hear from an expert speaker, and benefits him and us in sourcing potential collaborators for his research. Tomorrow I have a meeting at another hospital to propose an add-on to a study an investigator is already doing. So there’s always different conversations you’re having. I also need to keep on top of the literature, and there is support for that internally.

What are the best bits?

For me it’s that I’m always on the go, often out and about chatting to people. And because Incyte is a small company I get lots of opportunities to travel, so I’m abroad at least once a month. That wouldn’t necessarily happen in a large company as they have more employees doing similar jobs. I’m also constantly learning, and I’m doing a job that helps cancer patients get access to medicines.

What are the downsides?

The amount of travel would put some people off, although I personally enjoy it. Another difficult aspect is doctors are very busy people, and sometimes we need data and updates but we can’t get in touch with them. It’s not nice to feel you’re bothering people who are doing such an important job, and sometimes no matter how much you chase you just can’t get what you need, and that’s tough. There is also a lot of compliance in pharmaceutical companies, as we’re a heavily regulated industry. That’s obviously for a good reason, but it can take a while to get used to, especially if someone comes in straight from academia.

Is a PhD Essential for your role?

It depends on the company, but you usually either need a PhD or to be a doctor or nurse, because you’re talking about science at a high level with key consultants, often leaders in their fields. In terms of skills, the PhD teaches you how to manage projects, understand data, and critique studies, which are all skills I use as an MSL.

What’s the progression like?

I’m not a very good person to ask, because I’ve never planned far ahead, but rather taken opportunities as they come! But in general, some people love the role of MSL and will stay with it. Or, depending on how the particular company is structured, someone could become a Senior Medical Science Liaison, and even a Medical Director. Or people might choose to move around. One of the good things about the pharmaceutical industry is once you’re in, they provide opportunities for trying different roles, and my movement from corporate affairs to the medical team is an example of that. For me, long-term I think I’d like to try something a little more strategic, something where I may be on the road a little less eventually.

What tips would you give to researchers who want to become MSLs?

If you’re sure an MSL role is for you, then probably relax out of that! The way I got into this, along with every other MSL I’ve met (bearing in mind they’re all in the oncology therapy area), is by transitioning from a different role within pharma. Most companies want to know their MSLs understand their company and the pharma industry. Now I’m an MSL with experience, I get emails about new MSL roles almost every day – so there are a lot out there, but you just need your break to get in. If you’re sure you’d like to be an MSL, obviously still try for the MSL role, but you might want to widen the net a bit too, and focus on getting into pharma first.

In terms of getting into pharma, I had a bit of luck, but I also put myself in positions where I could capitalise on that luck. For example, I went to a pharma networking event, and within my charity I was pushing for more pharma-related work. So I’d advise doing the same. There’s an MSL conference that a lot of aspiring MSLs attend, as getting to know current MSLs can be very helpful, so you might like to attend that. You should also recognise how important relationship-building qualities are to the role. If you can work in roles within academia, the NHS, or charities where you are building relationships with doctors, you can use that evidence to sell yourself for MSL roles.

Finally, if you’re a PhD or post-doc and you’re reading this because you’re considering MSL roles and your wider options, then rest assured you’re going to be ok! I left academia not knowing what I wanted to do, and without even knowing what an MSL was, so you’re doing the right things – well done!

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Tags: Careers case study , Health Sector , life science , life science careers , Medical Science Liaison , MSL , science careers

5 Responses to “What’s a Medical Science Liaison and how do I become one?”

Hi there, Loved reading this. Very inspirational. Thank you.

I really like your blog presentation. It is informative too, at the same time.Thanks for nice information. Cancer Market

it is very informative and inspirational for the beginners.

Thank you so much for providing insight into a role I’ve always wanted but didn’t know was out there for me.

I just stumbled upon this and it was very informative. I enjoyed reading it, thank you.

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Mathura Shanmugasundaram

SC: And Singapore was the first step toward realizing your passion?

MS: I pursued my undergraduate honors degree in biomedical sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS). During that time, NUS ran the Special Programme in Science (SPS) , which took about 30+ students each year from the science faculty and trained us in interdisciplinary sciences. My “vacation” lab work granted me entry into SPS. Through NUS and SPS, I voluntarily reached out and pursued various internships in different parts of the world. At the end of four years, I was fortunate to obtain training from institutions in the UK and Germany. (And of course, I visited Dolly on the first weekend upon my arrival in the UK). During my undergrad years, I spent time at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, University of Nottingham (UK) , and locally ( A*Star and NUS).

My training taught me that great mentors are instrumental to anyone’s growth, especially scientists. I approached mentors and sought advice throughout my journey. I cannot stress enough how important it is to build a network of mentors and forge great relationships. Start reaching out to people now. I am sure you can connect with some who are willing to share their experiences and guide you. I applied to several PhD positions and met with a couple of my mentors to discuss each opportunity before deciding on a path to pursue.

SC: Paris became your next stop?

MS: Institut Pasteur , Paris was instrumental in shaping me for the next four years. I earned my doctorate in genetics and protein networks. I discussed my PhD options with several mentors. I will share a few pointers: 1) You need to love your research topic, 2) Forge great relationships with your team, and 3) Choose a PI who can be a great mentor. It is essential to be with a PI who encourages you, respects your ideas, and has time for you. If possible, visit the lab and the team before accepting any offer and have a good discussion with your PI and what they have in mind for you. It is crucial that you are both on the same page and that you love the environment. You are going to be there for years—you might as well enjoy it!

While earning my PhD, I took on leadership roles, attended and presented at various conferences, took any opportunity to learn and develop new research skills, and studied French. After those years in Paris, I had gained a new-found French family, learned a new language, and moved closer to my childhood dreams of studying science.

SC: How crucial was the post-PhD experience?

MS: I moved to the United States shortly after I defended my PhD. I contemplated the path of a traditional postdoc and spoke to my mentors and PI. They were very encouraging of any path I chose. I knew friends whose PIs and mentors were a little more traditional. If you are in such a situation, try to network and ask opinions of other seniors. It always helps to seek more advice. After much thought, I decided I wanted to be in a field that would allow me to translate my knowledge into a service that would be useful to people. Even though I had previous clinical research experience, I needed to shape it further. I wanted to be in a position that bridged traditional and clinical research. This motivated me to pursue the Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program at Harvard Medical School. It is a rather intense blended learning program with in-person workshops and seminars on clinical research and epidemiology. It served as a great platform for networking with international clinicians and clinical scientists. I forged great friendships and met wonderful mentors!

SC: Now coming to your current job. What’s a Medical Science Liaison (MSL)?

MS: I first learned about the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role a year ago. I tried to learn everything I could about it — I read books and articles, saw webinars, joined local scientist associations, and sought mentors. I reached out to MSLs on LinkedIn, connected with them through mutual friends, and spoke to them at conferences. These efforts allowed me to understand the role much better and motivated me further. I am now a Medical Science Liaison at OneOme —a genetic diagnostic company. Exactly where I wanted to be. My main responsibilities include: 1) acting as a major scientific/medical resource for a product/disease state (genes and medications in my case), 2) presenting and communicating this information to key thought leaders (influential scientists, medical directors, physicians, etc.) and stakeholders, and, 3) relaying feedback from these healthcare providers to the medical affairs/management team. The MSL role traditionally involves a lot of travel, and I visit various thought leaders, present at hospitals, meet patient groups, and attend conferences and meetings. The MSL role is a very fulfilling job and one that allows me to still be a scientist at heart!

I should also mention that the role differs from company to company and quite a bit from small start-ups to larger pharma, but these are essentially the main responsibilities of an MSL.

SC: How smooth or difficult was your transition? How did you exploit existing resources?

MS: The preparation was tough but the transition itself wasn’t that difficult. As scientists, we already have extensive training in presentations, communication, and key opinion leader relationship building. I did use everything I had at my disposal to get as much knowledge as I could about the role of an MSL. I spoke with MSLs and Senior MSLs and learned about the interview processes, joined MSL associations to network, kept abreast of new pharma and biotech trends, and was constantly trying to find my best fit.

SC: What messages would you like to share with scientists who are considering becoming an MSL?

MS: The first thing you need to hear is that it’s certainly possible. People only told me how difficult and competitive it was/is. As scientists, we possess most of the transferable skills and experience necessary to be an MSL. Most MSLs hold doctorate degrees and possess very good communication and presentation skills, both are which are essential to perform the role well. Speaking and networking with MSLs are truly the best ways to learn more and clarify any questions you may have. Ask a MSL friend/mentor to look at your CV and make it more industry and position friendly. Be on the constant lookout for your ideal position and where you can really contribute. Also, realize that you are not leaving science by moving to biotech or pharma in fact, it is a chance for you to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Truly, one cannot exist without the other.

I have one last bit of advice. We all know what it takes to earn a PhD—years and years of hard work. Take a few minutes to think what it all sums up to. Don’t you want to be in a position that rightfully justifies those long nights and all that effort? Take the time to find the role that best suits you. It might involve investing a lot of time and might be a challenging road ahead but it will be worth it. Haven’t we all been trained for this?

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are the views of the author(s) and do not represent the official policy or position of ASCB.

About the Author:

What is a Medical Science Liaison?

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a specific role within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, CRO and other healthcare industries. They concentrate on specific therapeutic areas (e.g. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS, Hematology, Women’s Health Care) and disease states (e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes). MSLs have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a doctorate degree (PhD, PharmD or MD) in the life sciences.

Medical Science Liaisons are vital to the success of a company. They work throughout a product’s lifecycle , help to ensure that products are utilized effectively, serve as scientific peers and resources within the medical community, and are scientific experts to internal colleagues at companies. However, the primary purpose of the MSL role is to establish and maintain peer to peer relationships with leading physicians, referred to as Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), at major academic institutions and clinics.

The History Behind The Medical Science Liaison Role

Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) were first established by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in 1967 as a response to the need for scientifically trained field staff that would be able to build rapport with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in various therapeutic areas of research.

Although originally called Medical Science Liaisons by Upjohn, over the years and today, companies have used various names for the role including: Medical Liaisons, Medical Managers, Regional Scientific Managers, Clinical Liaisons, and Scientific Affairs Managers among others.

Alternative titles to Medical Science Liaison

Many companies use various alternatives to the Medical Science Liaison title, even though the roles have similar or equivalent responsibilities. The MSL Society conducted a survey to see which terms were most used. The most common alternate and equivalent titles include:

The most common titles used for the medical science liaison role.

Click on image to view source report.

Who are the MSLs?

However, the required educational and scientific background as well as the purpose of the MSL role has progressively changed over the years since they were first established.

In the late 1980’s, a number of companies began to require those applying to MSL roles to hold a doctorate degree such as an MD, PharmD, or PhD.

2020 MSL Salary and Compensation Survey demographic information about MSLs in the United States.

In fact, according to the 2022 MSL Salary and Compensation Survey – which included 2,099 MSL professionals from 60 countries – 77% of current MSLs in the U.S. and 69% of current MSLs globally, across all company types and all therapeutic areas have a doctorate degree.

The Growth Trajectory of The Medical Science Liaison Role

Source: 2018 MSL Hiring Practices Survey – Global Results N=185

Although the MSL role is growing and evolving, the MSL community is still small when compared to other professions within the pharmaceutical industry. The evolution and rapid growth of the role has resulted in the need for a professional society dedicated to the MSL role.

Today there is even an official International MSL Day , which occurs every year on March 27th, to recognize the profession, and raise awareness of the importance of the global MSL profession.

Another very important milestone for the profession was the establishment of a Board Certification for MSLs. The Medical Science Liaison-Board Certification (MSL-BC®) is the first-ever board certification for the Medical Science Liaison profession and is an effort to establish industry recognized standards for the MSL profession. The Medical Science Liaison Society is dedicated to the validation, through certification, of a specialized body of knowledge for individuals working as a Medical Science Liaison (or equivalent title) or leading a Medical Science Liaison team.

Professionals working as Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) or managing a team of MSLs can validate a baseline of specialized competency, skill and/or knowledge in the field by meeting criteria and passing the MSL-BC® examination.

Medical Science Liaison Job Description

The Therapeutic Area they support;
Where a product is at in its lifecycle;
The geographical location of the role; and
The company type (i.e. Big Pharma vs Medical Device).

While the MSL role will vary, many aspects and activities are consistent regardless of the above factors. One easy way to understand the differences between roles is to read and compare job descriptions.

A good place to do exactly that is the MSL Society Career Center, which is the only job board 100% dedicated and focused exclusively on the MSL profession.

One of the many unique features of the MSL Society job board is that it’s the only one that allows you to filter and search for MSL roles based on Therapeutic Area: https://careercenter.themsls.org/.

Medical Science Liaison Responsibilities

Engaging external stakeholders: developing KOL engagement plans, collecting insights, identifying clinical investigators, communicating medical/ scientific data, connecting internal and external stakeholders, providing conference support, supporting external stakeholder research activities, and responding to medical information requests.
Collaborating with internal stakeholders: providing training, supporting clinical research teams and serving as an SME on internal cross-functional teams.
Maintaining MSL Expertise: remaining current on scientific knowledge, maintaining knowledge of pharmacoeconomics, coordinating activities with other field personnel in territory.

What are the typical activities of Medical Science Liaisons?

MSL Activities graphic that shows the results of the survey.

Do you have at least one year of experience as an MSL or leading an MSL team?

A Day in the Life: Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)

What do you do as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL)?

MSLs are clinical and/or scientific professionals who typically have an advanced degree (MD, PharmD, PhD, etc..). MSLs focus on a specific therapeutic area/disease state and are deep scientific experts in a pharmaceutical company’s products. MSLs build relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) in the medical community within their assigned geographies and interface between their company and the medical community to help facilitate the involvement of KOLs within their companies to drive a variety of initiatives (clinical trials, publications, advisory board participation, speaking at events, etc..).

What is a typical day like working as an MSL?

MSLs work from home as they are not based in the company’s headquarters. So they are what we call a field-based medical affairs team. No two days are the same! MSLs can travel to see their KOLs, attend advisory boards, medical congresses, participate in company projects and/or initiatives, and be involved in training their sales teams. MSL travel is usually high, especially If you have a large geographic territory you are covering.

How do you become an MSL?

MSLs can come from a variety of backgrounds. They can be doctors, pharmacists, scientists and researchers. Some MSLs begin as pharmaceutical sales representatives to get their “foot in the door” and then transition to the MSL role. Others start in medical/drug information and take that route. What most professionals do today is obtain a specialized professional board certification in medical affairs to increase their chances of becoming an MSL. The Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) program is a self-paced, online professional board certification that helps to train professionals wishing to become MSLs.

What do you like most about working as an MSL?

Most MSLs like the lack of routine and variety in their week-to-week activities. You never get bored as an MSL . MSLs can be traveling across the country one day to see a KOL and might be in their home office another day working on a research project. So it varies quite a bit!

What can an MSL job lead on to?

MSL jobs can lead to higher level roles within the pharmaceutical industry. Remember that MSLs are part of the medical affairs function so many go on to become MSL managers/directors, Medical directors, VP medical affairs, and other higher level roles within their companies.

What advice would you give someone considering being an MSL as a career?

If you enjoy building relationships with people and enjoy presenting to audiences, the MSL career could be a very rewarding one for you long term. If you are currently an MSL and want to build your career, consider becoming board certified (such as BCMAS) as this can help to expand your career options. Keep networking and building relationships in the industry attending MSL meetings and events.

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Medical Science Liaison

A Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a clinical research professional who specializes in translating scientific and medical information and building relationships between groups of people, such as physicians and industry personnel. The MSL type of position can also be called a Clinical Research Scientist, and Regional Science Manager. Many of the job descriptions say that a “qualified candidate” will have a PhD, PharmD, or MD. A few key responsibilities include: establishing and maintaining peer relationships with key opinion leaders (KOL; usually clinical/research leaders in specific therapeutic area); developing educational materials and support programs for personnel; maintaining thorough knowledge of literature and data in therapeutic area; and independently managing home-based work with extensive travel. MSLs usually cover a specific regional area, that can range from one or two states up to regions with more than five states.

It is important to take the time to talk with professionals in the field before pursuing a MSL position. Many local MSLs are willing to talk with aspiring young professionals.

Things to Know About Medical Science Liaisons

MSLs frequently spend 70% of their time traveling, and it isn’t something you can take lightly.
Interpersonal communication skills are a must. It’s not enough to think that you are outgoing or a “people-person”. Building and maintaining relationships is a lot of work.
Company culture is a key consideration. Being a great fit with the MSL team and the company will be very important. Understand the company culture and know how you’ll contribute.

Compensation and benefits

Medical science liaison positions offer a generous base salary, bonus incentives, and excellent benefits. In addition, most companies will also provide a company car and expense budget.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Develop and maintain professional relationships with key opinion leaders and academic centers to ensure their access to current medical and scientific information. Conduct Round Table and Advisory Board sessions to ensure accessibility of scientific information.
Present data on client products to healthcare professionals including physicians, hospital practitioners and formulary committees, consultant pharmacists and others. Partner with such groups to identify opportunities for the development of treatment guidelines.
Facilitate identification and presentation of research opportunities for consideration in support of client products and customers. Assist in implementation of protocol development and administration for proposals to be supported. Uncover unique opportunities to develop/implement drug utilization and pharmacoeconomic analysis.
Provide information to local experts to assist in keeping their presentations current and ensure they have medical and scientific information necessary when responding to questions encountered during their presentations.
Conduct on-going training to field sales personnel and others, providing up to date knowledge of product, uses, and external data. Serve as local medical and scientific resource planning for communication of product information.
Strong scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge and experience
Strong team, leadership, planning and written/verbal communication skills
Strong presentation and teaching skills
Strong interpersonal skills
Strong organizational skills
Ability to learn and effectively convey clinical and non-clinical technical information
Ability to work independently
Ability to lead and influence key decision makers
Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships
Ability to travel between 25-75% (depending on territory)
MUST be self-motivated with the ability to work independently. These positions are field based (out of a home office environment)

The Medical Science Liaison Society : The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the MSL career and helping those interested in pursuing an MSL career. This society is an excellent global resource for MSL professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, CRO, and other healthcare industries.

Survey of Medical Liaisons

Recruiters and Employers

The Carolan Group William Halderson Associates Elwood Staffing (formerly SOS Employment Group) MSL Jobs search (SRA) , SRA International, Inc. ( SRA job search ; formerly Constella Group )

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Promoting Best Practices for Medical Science Liaisons Position Statement from the APPA, IFAPP, MAPS and MSLS

Paul theron.

1 Head Medical Excellence APAC, Merck Healthcare Pty Ltd, 10 Mahratta Ave, Wahroonga, NSW 2076 Australia

Matthew Britland

2 Medical Director, Amgen, Macquarie Park, Australia

Donna Holder

3 Senior Director, Global MSL Excellence Oncology, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Basking Ridge, USA

Yasushi Ikeda

4 Vice President, Medical Science Liaison, Astellas Pharma Inc, Tokyo, Japan

Ralph F. Rewers

5 National MSL Director, US Medical Affairs, AbbVie, Chicago, USA

6 Regional Medical Head, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Novartis, Singapore, Singapore

This position paper is intended to provide recommendations that will help lay the foundation for best practices for medical science liaisons (MSLs) and their activities. Its objective is to outline the roles and responsibilities expected of an MSL and provide clarity on the juxtaposition of MSLs and Sales representatives (SRs) when it comes to scientific exchange versus promotional messaging. It is of utmost importance that industry integrity and ethical standards are assured during external stakeholder engagement as well as medical and scientific communications. This guidance, delivered through the lens of APPA, IFAPP, MAPS and the MSLS executive committees, has been prepared primarily as a supportive resource to assist the Medical Affairs teams in the industry to develop their own set of standard operating procedures (SOPs), codes of conduct and policies within the framework of relevant industry regulations. We acknowledge that whilst there are guidelines already available that provide excellent directive to the MSL function, this paper is a review and distillation of these existing recommendations combined with the perspectives of four peak professional bodies to offer a practically focused resource to help MSLs interact, collaborate and exchange scientific information appropriately with external experts when out in the field.

Introduction

The medical science liaison (MSL) is a key member of the Medical Affairs team, a department within the pharmaceutical organisation that is involved in the communication of accurate and unbiased scientific and medical information to healthcare professionals [ 1 , 2 ]. Such communications typically involve safety information or updates, published papers, independent medical education, as well as responses to requests for off-label information [ 2 ] .However, more recent times has seen an increased need for MSLs but an accompanying reduction in sales and marketing personnel [ 3 ]. Consequently, there has been an emergence of hybrid roles that combine medical affairs and sales roles and consequently ‘muddy the waters’ when it comes to separating scientific and commercial activities. A lack of a global perspective on the role of the MSL [ 4 – 6 ], combined with limited published literature by experts in Medical Affairs [ 1 , 7 ], as well as white papers developed by health consulting firms with a commercial interest [ 8 – 12 ], mean that there is no formal framework defining the roles and responsibilities of an MSL.

Recognising this gap, the executive committees of four peak body organisations representing Medical Affairs’ members: the Australian Pharmaceutical Medical and Scientific Professionals Association (APPA), the International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP), the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS) and the Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS), provide an unbiased, commercial-free narrative review and recommendations on key practices of an MSL. It is the hope of the authors that this paper will help to ensure the future integrity of the key Medical Affairs function.

Methodology

A literature review was conducted using PubMed where searches were performed using search string variations of the following keywords: (medical affairs*, medical science liaisons*, role*, responsibilities*, activities*). Google Scholar citation searches and manual searches of reference lists were also conducted to identify relevant publications, as well as general Google searches using the same search strings above. Searches were performed between May 2020 and July 2020 with only those retrieved records published in the last 5 years. The list of sources of information used by the authors is provided in the reference section.

Recommendations and key principles were developed by the author representatives of the peak bodies. APPA is the representative association for Medical Affairs in Australia and is dedicated to promoting excellence in pharmaceutical medicine through professional development, networking and advocacy ( http://appa.net.au ) ; IFAPP’s primary objective is to bring together physicians and scientists from the pharmaceutical industry and contract research organisations with colleagues working in research institutes, academia, medicines regulatory agencies and patient organisations, in order to stimulate the advancement of knowledge in Pharmaceutical Medicine globally ( https://ifapp.org/ );

MAPS is the premier non-profit global Medical Affairs organisation FOR Medical Affairs professionals BY Medical Affairs professionals across all different levels of experience/specialty to engage, empower and educate. Together with over 3,000 Medical Affairs members from over 200 companies, MAPS is transforming the Medical Affairs profession to increase its value to patients, HCPs and other decision makers ( https://medicalaffairs.org ); and MSLS is the only non-profit organisation focused exclusively on the global MSL profession. The MSL Society serves as a voice for the global MSL profession and represents members in 83 countries. The organisation is dedicated to advancing the profession by helping MSLs and MSL leaders become more effective in their careers through focused training programs, global research and best practice sharing ( www.themsls.org ). Given the wide reach of each of these organisations, the authors had access to a large number of member insights, activities and perspectives.

What is the Role of the MSL?

The MSL has a key role in developing and delivering scientific communications to health professionals and other stakeholders that is factually accurate and compliant with industry standards.

The MSL role has existed for more than 50 years and continues to evolve in line with changing disease, treatment landscapes and healthcare trends. The ability to translate scientific research to clinical practice (i.e. from the bench to the bedside) remains a fundamental skill for all MSLs and is key to understanding, interpreting and discussing therapeutic advancements. MSLs represent the scientific face and force of the pharma industry, connecting companies with the medical community that include a range of stakeholders, such as key opinion leaders, clinical investigators and healthcare decision makers. Through the exchange of highly credible, unbiased, scientific and clinical information, MSLs can build and foster important scientific credibility with these external experts.

Another important and large part of the value proposition of the MSL is being able to bring relevant, timely and actionable insights to the company. Through such communication and collaboration, the ultimate objective is to help the right patients gain access to the right medicines.

To this point, MSLs are well positioned to inform on the safe and appropriate use of therapeutics. Over time, MSLs have needed to become increasingly versatile given the emergence of new and broader groups of stakeholders, a shift to a more patient-centric model of care where the focus is less about the drug and more about the patient journey and technological advances in diagnostics, devices and treatments. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, MSLs need to keep abreast of advancements and understand how they may impact clinical practice and patient outcomes.

It is important to acknowledge that variations exist in the MSL role including the name of the role. This is illustrated within the MSL Society guidelines, which outlines more than 30 titles (Table (Table1). 1 ). Therefore, it is necessary for the company to clearly define and communicate the MSL’s roles and responsibilities.

Alternative titles for an MSL (note this is not an exclusive list)

Reproduced with the permission from the MSLS

What Are the Responsibilities of MSLs?

MSLs are responsible for scientific exchange of data, supporting evidence generation and gathering actionable insights from the field.

Scientific Exchange

MSLs play a role in the exchange of unbiased scientific information when delivering presentations and education relating to the disease, unmet needs, treatment landscape, therapy areas and clinical evidence. They also engage and liaise with experts on the generation of scientific data. MSLs can proactively seek an introductory meeting with an external expert for the purpose of determining unmet medical needs and assessing the opinion leader’s criteria for and interest in scientific engagement. Subsequent or follow-up meetings, however, also need a purpose and a clear objective, requiring the MSL to clarify the scientific need for the exchange with the HCP.

Evidence Generation

Evidence generation activities include company-sponsored studies, investigator-initiated trials, real-world evidence studies and clinical audits. To facilitate these, MSLs require appropriate training in good clinical practice and an understanding of the appropriate clinical trial standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols. Of note, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) studies represent a developing intersection between medical affairs, market access and commercial teams.

Gathering Insights

MSLs are well positioned to gather insights from the field that can be used to inform internal clinical development, marketing and market access in developing their strategies. These insights may be based on expert opinion, observations of barriers in the patient journey or questions that emerge in scientific exchange. Insights may also be gained from advisory board meetings.

If during interactions with external experts, concerns about the safety of the product are raised, or adverse events in patients treated with the product are mentioned, irrespective of whether the event was considered to be drug-related or not, the MSL should submit the information as per the company’s pharmacovigilance policy on adverse event reporting.

Key Principles

MSLs alongside the wider Medical Affairs team should identify experts according to their medical expertise and academic reputation within the field of specialty; quality of publications; positions in peak bodies/societies/association; relevance of their level of clinical expertise, participation in treatment guideline bodies, as well as participation in research including clinical trials
Selection of experts should not be based on their potential to prescribe or number of patients they see
MSLs should develop and maintain strong and constructive relationships, at the same time respecting the independence of the key external experts
MSLs may share insights from the field with medical and appropriate members of marketing teams to assist with the development of research strategies, medical communications, medical plans, brand plans, launch plans and materials
MSLs play a key role throughout the lifecycle of a product: clinical development, pre-launch, launch and post-launch
Scientific exchange should never contain false or misleading information, or omit or select information which by default could lead to misleading the stakeholder
MSLs should not provide patient specific treatment advice or discuss specific patients
MSLs should report adverse events raised during external stakeholder interaction within 24 h

What Are the Core Skills Required by MSLs?

Core requirements of an MSL are to hold an advanced degree, demonstrate scientific and technical expertise, be excellent communicators and have strong interpersonal skills.

Given the primary role in building and fostering peer-to-peer credibility with key external stakeholders, a strong scientific and medical grounding, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. MSLs also need to have sound business acumen and leadership qualities. Typical academic qualifications for MSLs include medical, pharmacy and scientific PhD degrees.

Whilst these criteria remain the foundation for MSLs, additional skillsets are also important. These include value skills, reflected in the ability to engage external partnerships, for example, integrated delivery networks and payors, understand outcome-based agreements, as well as develop medical strategies that support drug access objectives. Being able to gather, assimilate and interpret information appropriately and feeding that through to the relevant internal teams is also a key competency of an MSL, as is having excellent data analytical skills. Digital competency is becoming increasingly important to allow for easier access to difficult to reach stakeholders and provides the MSL a means to engage with experts virtually if their area of coverage is wide.

MSLs have a responsibility to support non-promotional activities in the field that encourage the safe and appropriate use of medicines
Companies should upskill the MSLs with the necessary knowledge about the therapeutic area, the disease and its management
The MSL is a Medical Affairs professional that acts as an important bridge between the company and the healthcare ecosystem by identifying clinical unmet needs, educating on the mode of action of new compounds as well as their efficacy and safety data whilst helping to identify appropriate patient profiles that might benefit from the new medicine. These discussions with key stakeholders should be conducted in a non-promotional, highly scientific and unbiased manner
Combining professional qualifications with appropriate training will equip MSLs to convey medical and scientific principles accurately without bias and with transparency
MSLs should have a strong understanding of the relevant industry codes including any country-specific and local policies relating to interactions with healthcare providers
Companies should ensure the availability of internal training programs covering therapeutic and pipeline portfolios, healthcare system processes, reimbursement models, medical compliance and core skills (e.g. medical writing; critiquing scientific publications) to allow the MSLs to conduct their role effectively

What is Meant by Non-promotional Activities and Interactions?

Non-promotional activities and interactions are those that have no commercial- or sale-based objectives.

A key differentiator between MSLs and SRs, both customer-facing roles, is that MSLs are only permitted to interact with external experts in a non-promotional context. This means that MSL activities should not be driven by prescription or sales targets, which represent benchmark metrics for SRs, but rather by indicators that demonstrate the need for scientific engagement as well as dissemination of data. At times, these two functions have become blurred. MSLs should not be perceived as product advocates but rather as scientific experts in their therapeutic field. Indeed, MSLs are a valuable internal resource for scientific training of sales and marketing teams, but appropriate steps need to be undertaken to ensure appropriate separation between commercial and Medical Affairs departments so as to avoid influence or the appearance of influence across the groups.

MSLs need to maintain independence from sales and promotional-based activities
MSLs are well positioned to gather insights from the field that can be used to help internal stakeholders to shape their strategies for improving patient outcomes
MSLs and SRs typically only see healthcare professionals together for introductory visits. If during the meeting, conversations progress in a more commercial way, the MSL normally leaves the meeting. Conversely, if the conversation involves off-label discussions, it is appropriate for the sales colleague to leave the meeting
Companies need to set clear guidance on the boundaries of commercial team participation in meetings with external experts, as well as their purpose at such meetings
MSLs are permitted to share the list and schedule of opinion leader/external expert visits with commercial colleagues
MSLs should not have sales targets as key performance indicators
It is very strongly recommended that the MSL function reports into Medical Affairs to maintain their autonomy and demonstrate that theirs is primarily a non-promotional role and hence they may engage in appropriate, even off-label, scientific exchange
MSLs should not engage in promotional messaging or participate in promotional discussions

What Are the Common Compliance Concerns and How to Avoid Them?

Unsolicited vs solicited requests and off-label discussions.

Overall, MSLs largely interact with medical and scientific experts, and HCPs in a planned manner within the framework of an ‘Expert Engagement Plan’. Whilst HCPs can prescribe drugs outside their intended use, it is illegal for any associate of the pharma industry to promote products for off-label use.

Examples of these proactive engagements include changes to the prescribing or product label; safety signals or concerns related to the therapeutic product; introductory meetings and insight gathering, as indicated earlier, in the form of advisory boards, working group meetings or roundtable discussions, as well as for non-product scientific education activities. Proactive engagements should never be for the purpose of providing off-label information.

MSLs may also respond to HCPs reactively. They respond to bona fide unsolicited requests for off-label information with a focused response that is objective, balanced, accurate and substantiated and supported by scientific evidence.

Joint Meetings with Sales Representatives

Joint visits with commercial colleagues are for the purposes of introductions. Commercial discussions and scientific exchange need to occur outside of joint interactions. The best practice would be to divide the meeting. This means the MSL and the SR should be visiting the HCP with different agendas and objectives.

An external stakeholder can request off-label information either directly from the MSL or through the medical information process
Such requests need to be documented in an appropriate way

The role of the MSL is pivotal to the communication, collaboration and exchange of scientific information with both internal and external stakeholders. MSLs represent the scientific face and force of the pharma industry, connecting companies with the medical community that include a range of stakeholders. Through the exchange of highly credible, unbiased, scientific and clinical information, MSLs can build and foster important scientific credibility with these external experts thus bringing relevant, timely and actionable insights to the company. They can also support clinicians by discussing the latest scientific breakthroughs. In order to build credibility with healthcare professionals, MSLs need to maintain independence from sales and promotional-based activities.

As illustrated in current times of social distancing and the disrupted access to face-to-face interactions with peers, digital channels have become critical tools to achieve and maintain engagement and relationships. This technological shift may mark a more permanent approach to how MSLs perform their role in the future, although it remains to be seen how much of the traditional ‘meeting-in-person’ will be replaced with virtual meetings, which is likely to vary between different companies. Regardless, the need for MSLs to be technologically savvy will become increasingly important to allow for versatility and to accommodate the preference of the experts following their own experience of communicating through digital platforms. The best practices outlined in this paper are embedded in principles that are applicable to both.

Acknowledgments

This position paper was developed with editorial assistance provided by Dr Beejal Vyas-Price (Scientific Director, Commune Digital) through joint funding from APPA and MAPS.

Abbreviations

Declarations.

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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How to become a medical science liaison.

Reviewed by:

Luke Hartstein

Former Admissions Committee Member, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Reviewed: 4/25/24

Are you thinking about becoming a medical science liaison? This guide covers how to become a medical science liaison, medical science liaison salary, and everything else you need to know about this career.

The medical science liaison is a specialized role within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. The role was first created in 1967 by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals to have scientifically-trained employees create relationships with decision-makers in the medical community.

Medical science liaisons are also known by other names such as medical liaisons, medical managers, and clinical liaisons. In fact, the title medical science liaison was first used in 1967, and these other names are more recent titles for this profession.

However, in a recent survey conducted by the Medical Science Liaison Society, the top three most used titles for this career in the U.S . are medical science liaison, field medical director, and regional medical liaison.

Despite the many titles this profession goes by, it's important to note that medical science liaisons play a critical role in the medical community. If you want to know what a medical science liaison is, how to become one, their salary potential, and why they're essential for the medical community, keep reading!

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What Is a Medical Science Liaison?

Medical science liaisons are science professionals who provide the medical community, investors, and government agencies with information about their employer’s products. Their employer's products often include medical devices, drugs, and treatments.

Typically, medical science liaisons are employed by medical device companies, biotechnology firms, and pharmaceutical companies . However, they can also be employed by consumer product manufacturers like cosmetic companies.

In the past, medical science liaisons were selected from experienced sales reps with solid scientific backgrounds; however, in today's world, medical science liaisons have specific training and education requirements.

What Does a Medical Science Liaison Do?

A medical science liaison establishes and maintains relationships between pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology companies and decision-makers. Because the job involves a lot of technical work, here is a general overview of what the career entails:

Attending medical conferences
Delivering scientific presentations
Designing and conducting scientific studies
Gathering and analyzing data from scientific studies
Creating and testing medical devices
Writing grant proposals
Applying to private companies and government agencies for funding
Collaborating with physicians and members of health departments to create programs to improve the health of the population

The variety of tasks that medical science liaisons complete depends on the day. For instance, one day, a medical science liaison may travel for a conference, and the next day they might need to conduct a study to investigate medical conditions and different methods to prevent them.

In terms of their work environment, medical science liaisons may partake in extensive travel if they’re assigned to work in a geographic area. Because of this reason, medical science liaisons may or may not be based in their employer’s physical office.

They spend a lot of their time in an office setting, conducting meetings to deliver complex information to people in the medical community.

Steps to Becoming a Medical Science Liaison

Below are the steps to take to become a medical science liaison.

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

Obtaining a bachelor's degree necessary to become a medical science liaison. The reason for this is that the majority of medical science liaisons have a graduate degree as well.

We highly recommend that you major in science when obtaining your bachelor's degree. It would prepare you for what's to come in the medical science liaison field.

2. Decide on Your Area of Expertise

Before pursuing an advanced degree, you must choose your area of expertise. Choosing whether you want to venture out and get a Ph.D. in pharmacological studies or earn a medical degree is ultimately yours.

Ensure that the area you specialize in is something you're interested in because it will be the degree you use to apply for medical science liaison jobs.

3. Acquire an Advanced Degree

Although it's possible to have a career as a medical liaison with only a Master's degree, it is improbable. Over time, the medical science liaison career has been highly competitive, with a majority of people in the field holding either a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.), medical doctorate (M.D) , or doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) .

Also, some medical science liaisons are registered nurses or have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This is also an advanced degree path you can pursue. However, remember that most medical science liaison roles ask for a Ph.D., M.D., or PharmD.

4. Complete a Training Program and Gain Experience

This step is optional; however, highly recommended. A great way to gain experience in the field is to enroll in an internship/training program. These training programs would typically be in collaboration with a biotechnology firm or pharmaceutical company.

Participating in these training programs will help you gain the experience you need in the field, choose your expertise, and develop the skills you need for this field.

You can develop your skills in a training program by participating in different career-related tasks. For example, you might be tasked to give a presentation at a conference, which would help develop your communication skills.

Another example would be following the clinical trials of a new medication and being able to relay that information to government officials or anyone else in the medical community; this would help you develop your analytical skills.

Many organizations offer training programs to future medical science liaisons, which can be very beneficial. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies also offer extensive training programs to their newly-hired medical science liaisons.

Medical Science Liaison Salary & Career Outlook

The average medical science liaison salary is $157,822 yearly . Below is a chart of the monthly, weekly, and hourly wages of various earners in this field.

Regarding the job outlook, the medical science liaison career is expected to grow as the demand for new therapeutic solutions increases. As long as pharmaceutical and medical device companies continue to produce products necessary to medical practice, there will always be a demand for medical science liaisons.

How to Become a Medical Science Liaison: FAQs

If you still have questions about how to become a medical science liaison after reading this guide, check out these frequently asked questions.

1. Are Medical Science Liaisons Well Paid?

Yes, medical science liaisons are well-paid. The average salary for a medical science liaison is $157,822 per year. Also, those in the 25th percentile earn $125,000 annually, which is an excellent wage.

2. Can You Be an MSL with a Master’s Degree?

Yes, it is possible to become a medical science liaison with a Master’s degree; however, it's challenging. Over the years, the medical science liaison profession has become highly competitive, and many jobs ask for a Ph.D. or an M.D.

3. What Skills Do You Need to Be an MSL?

Here are the following skills you need to be a medical science liaison:

Communication skills
Listening skills
Leadership skills
Interpersonal skills
Analytical skills
Detail-oriented

These skills are needed to become a medical science liaison because the job requires a person to represent their employer while at the same time working with the medical community.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a career in the medical field, consider becoming a medical science liaison. This career has an excellent job outlook and potential salary earnings.

However, If you're already considering a career as a medical science liaison, this guide will provide you the resources you need to take your first steps into the field. You can become a medical liaison with knowledge, hard work, and dedication.

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Posted by Angela Zito on Friday, July 29, 2022 in Upcoming BRET Office of Career Development Events .

The ASPIRE program will be hosting Dr. Joelle Martin, Medical Science Liaison at Alimera Sciences. If you have ever considered this career path or just want to learn more, be sure to attend!

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Dr. Joelle Martin is a Medical Science Liaison at Alimera Sciences, Inc. Dr. Martin completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Washington State University in 2015, and then went on to earn a PhD in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health from Virginia Tech in 2021. She has contributed to research projects focused on cognitive decision making, traumatic brain injury, and more extensively, glioblastoma multiforme. Now an MSL at a retina focused pharmaceutical company, Dr. Martin has focused on translating skills gained in academia to the MSL role for a successful first year of relationship building, insight gathering, and navigating the joys and woes of frequent travel.

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An Interview with Medical Science Liaison Shannon Payne, PhD

Can you describe your career progression including where you’re currently working and what do you do there?

I currently work as a medical science liaison (MSL) covering the Pacific Northwest region, a geography spanning from Bellingham, WA to San Jose, CA and to the eastern edge of Utah, but my path to this position has been anything but a straight line. I entered graduate school to study molecular plant pathology following a year spent working as a research technician at a University of Florida agricultural research center in Bradenton, FL. After some fits and starts in my graduate career, I ended up in a human genetics laboratory studying the genetics of breast and ovarian cancer.

My PhD research led to a postdoctoral fellowship in mouse models of gastrointestinal cancer at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC). I cannot say enough good things about the “Hutch” (as it is affectionately known). The research and the mentorship are of the highest caliber, as you might expect for an institution with its history of ground-breaking medical research. What you might not expect is that there is also a strong commitment to support its trainees in whatever direction their career might take them, even if that means outside of academia. The Hutch’s Student Postdoctoral Advisory Committee, passionately led by Karen Peterson (herself a former Hutch postdoctoral fellow), has been at the forefront of a movement to prepare trainees for career paths on which they might realistically find themselves. The support and encouragement I found in that group helped me to transition from my academic postdoc to a position as a scientist in industry.

After transitioning to industry, I moved quickly from analytical scientist to clinical scientist to medical science liaison over the course of about five years. Again, I had the good fortune to be hired into industry by a company led by brilliant and creative scientific minds that were willing to take a chance on me despite my lack of experience. My experience at that company expanded my horizons on what industry can do to change the practice of medicine and taught me that anything is possible with commitment. I currently work as MSL is in a specialty biopharmaceutical company where I interact with gastroenterology and endocrinology thought leaders, answering their clinical questions about the drugs produced by my company and providing feedback to my company on where the fields are headed in terms of diagnosis and treatment. I also interact with managed care to explain the clinical utility of the drugs I support as well as assisting field-based sales staff with educational and training activities.

How and when did you become interested in the medical science liaison field?

In the last year of my postdoctoral fellowship, I found a job posting for a medical science liaison and was star struck – responsibilities included reading papers and attending conferences, talking to health care providers, and serving as a clinical scientific resource both internally and externally. Seriously, you can get paid to do that?! I had found my dream job. Unfortunately, no one would hire me to do it :). I learned that moving from academia to industry and moving from the scientist career path to the medical science liaison role were both significant leaps and that it was probably best to tackle them sequentially rather than all at once.

What is the structure of your “average” work day?

My average work day is best-described by the absence of structure and that is one of the things that I love about my job. A home office day might begin with e-mail and phone calls. There might be an early afternoon conference call followed by catching up on paperwork (conference write-ups, monthly feedback reports to the home office, and any other feedback that might need to get captured in writing). I might wind down the day by reading a few journal articles from the ever-growing stack on my desk. Travel days, an average of 2 to 3 per week, are structured around the health care provider and managed care meetings that are scheduled for that day. I might begin with a working breakfast with colleagues, followed by a managed care clinical presentation, and then one-on-one meetings with key opinion leaders (KOLs) in the area.

What are some of your “typical” duties in your job?

Typical duties include responding to health care provider questions about products (e.g., the key clinical trial evidence or contraindications), networking with KOLs to identify emerging clinical issues in the disease states that I cover, attending medical conferences to stay informed on key clinical research, and supporting field-based sales staff through training and responding to medical information requests.

What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about your job?

The best part of my job is getting to talk to bright, progressive thought leaders who are trying to change the practice of medicine for the better. The most challenging part of my job is that you always need to be ‘on.’ As the face of the company in the field, it’s important to put your best foot forward at all times.

Do you think your PhD gives you unique advantages or disadvantages in being a medical science liaison?

Without question, the PhD gives me a unique advantage in my career. The disadvantage of the PhD is that it is harder to break into the MSL role than it is with a with a PharmD degree. Additionally, PhDs generally have to make up deficits in toxicology and pharmacokinetic knowledge. But once you have crossed that barrier and learned the requisite skills, you have a relatively rare perspective in that you have deeper experience with experimental design and can analyze study design critically. This allows you to describe a clinical trial with appropriate fair balance and interact with academically-based thought leaders in a way that someone who hasn’t spent years designing their own experiments can’t do.

What advice do you have for other PhDs who want to be medical science liaisons? What can PhDs do to get into this career path?

This is a question I am frequently asked and I wish I had a better answer. I didn’t plot my path – I just followed what seemed most interesting to me at any point along the way. When I went to graduate school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my degree (I know, terrible!), but I wanted to dedicate myself to research for a few years, so I went. Even after learning about the MSL career path, I didn’t actively pursue it once I transitioned to industry. The offer to move into the MSL role was a complete surprise to me as I had not discussed my interests with my supervisor and we didn’t even have a medical affairs department at the time. I wish I could say that I plotted a brilliant master plan to bring myself to this place, but that would be disingenuous. I am in a happy circumstance that I may have assisted in some aspects, but I think if I had tried to get here I would have ended up somewhere else entirely!

If you were just starting graduate school, what would you do differently?

From the outset, I would ask more questions of trainees in the lab / department / institution I was considering. These questions would cover anything I could think of, but especially the amount of support, career and otherwise, that is typically provided. I also would listen better to those answers, both what is said and what is not said. I was often so thrilled that someone might want to train me that I forgot to consider why and to what purpose. The degree of dedication that advisors and departments have to the success of the individuals they train varies tremendously and it can have a huge impact on an individual’s career. I know faculty who are phenomenal scientists and exceptional mentors, but faculty are not often rewarded in any official way for mentorship. These rare faculty actively mentor because it feels “right” or they get personal satisfaction from it. Seek these people out! I wish that I had. My other do-over would be to take advantage of the generous career development support that my institution offered much earlier. Many institutions have a student-postdoctoral advisory committee that focuses on career development and advocates for the interests of trainees. See what is available at your institution and get involved.

What do you feel is the greatest skill you learned in graduate school?

I should probably say critical thinking, since that is such a key part of a graduate education. If I answer honestly, however, I would say that the most important thing I learned was persistence and to believe in myself. It’s easy to say “I could do that” and yes, you probably could. The hard part is to buckle down, do the hard work, and get it done. That is what graduate school taught me. Work hard and take credit for that hard work.

What do you think is the most important piece of advice you could offer to current graduate students?

Pursue activities that give you joy and leave you fulfilled. Find delight in what you do or find something else to do. That is not to say you should experience bliss every moment of every day, or even on daily basis, but you should spend your time such that the balance leaves you feeling that you have done something worthwhile.

What do you think is the most important piece of advice you could offer PhDs (graduate students, postdocs, etc.) who are trying to find a career path?

Talk to as many people in as many different career paths as you can to understand the options that are available to you. There are so many paths down which a PhD can take you and that can be overwhelming. Nothing beats talking to someone in the trenches to understand the pros and cons of a specific position. It’s important to have a clear picture not only of what a good day looks like, but also what a bad day looks like. It doesn’t matter how great those good days are if you cannot stomach what you will deal with on the bad days. And there will be bad days in every job.

Any parting words you’d like to share?

One of my great joys is in speaking to trainees who are exploring their options and imagining the future. It’s such an exciting time! In your rush to move forward, don’t forget to enjoy this period. Do your homework and weigh your options. Above all, treasure this moment when anything is possible.

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The Role of Medical Science Liaison

First Online: 02 February 2023

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Roberta Manfroni 4

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Building a pharmaceutical professional career can be extremely challenging, especially if the existing roles within the pharmaceutical companies are not fully known or understood. Among these, the medical science liaison (MSL) role, acting as part of the medical affairs department, has been consolidated for some years, but it is still evolving.

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the main characteristics and responsibilities of the MSL and explains how this role can contribute to the implementation of the company’s strategy. Key areas discussed include history, different definition of the role, MSL typical activities, as well as some tips for those who are about to define their professional objectives.

The aim of this chapter is to provide the reader with key elements necessary to imagine himself acting as a medical science liaison within the medical affairs department and to evaluate whether it may meet personal characteristics and interests.

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Manfroni, R. (2023). The Role of Medical Science Liaison. In: Thomas, J.R., Saso, L., van Schravendijk, C. (eds) Career Options in the Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Industry . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14911-5_9

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Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency via either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The institution code is 1839. Other exams may not be substituted. Rackham Graduate School offers a full explanation of this requirement , including exemption criteria. Please contact Rackham directly ( [email protected] ) with questions.

Diversity is a key component of excellence, especially for solving the complex biomedical challenges that our field of computational medicine and bioinformatics faces. We believe that all people—regardless of background, race, religion, sexual/gender orientation, age or disability—deserve an equitable opportunity to pursue the education and career of their choice.

The Bioinformatics Graduate Program will provide tuition, healthcare coverage, and a stipend on a 12-month basis. This level of support will be maintained throughout a student's tenure in the Program, provided s/he remains in good academic standing and makes reasonable progress towards the degree as determined by the Graduate Directors, with faculty input. It is expected that the student will be supported directly by the mentor's laboratory, beginning in the second year. The expected time to degree is typically 5-6 years.

The U-M MS program is a terminal degree program. If you are interested in the Bioinformatics PhD Program, you must submit a new application. If you are a Bioinformatics MS student who is in good academic standing and has identified a Bioinformatics affiliated faculty mentor, you may apply for admission directly to the PhD Bioinformatics Program for the Winter term. Reviewing faculty take all application components into account and mentors are prepared to take both academic and financial responsibility for their trainees.

Eligibility: Only current or recently graduated University of Michigan Master’s students are eligible. Before applying, students must have completed more than half of all required courses, with at least six credits from the Bioinformatics Program.

Application deadline: October 1

The online application form can be found on the Rackham Admissions webpages. The application is available in early September through the deadline.

Letters of recommendation: Please be aware that submitting only the Rackham Recommendation for Admission Form is insufficient; forms must be accompanied by a letter from the recommender. If you wish to include three letters from your original application, only one additional letter is needed. It must be from the DCMB faculty member who will serve as your primary mentor. The letter should state clearly that the mentor takes responsibility for your funding upon admission. Alternatively, you may wish to obtain three new letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee strongly encourages you to include letters from those familiar with your research and coursework obtained while pursuing your Master’s degree. Of these, one must be from the faculty member who will serve as your primary mentor. The letter should state clearly that the mentor takes responsibility for your funding upon admission.
Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how the PhD Program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
Transcripts: Only a current, unofficial U-M transcript is necessary. You do not need to re-submit materials included with your Master’s application.
TOEFL: If you submitted TOEFL scores when applying to the Master’s Program, additional test scores are not needed.

Bioinformatics consists of a mathematical and/or statistical analysis of a biomedical problem using computation. We define bioinformatics widely and include traditional bioinformatics areas such as for examples, systems biology, genomics, proteomics, plus statistical and evolutionary genetics, clinical informatics, and protein modeling.

As an interdisciplinary field, Bioinformatics attracts graduate students from mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry and biology. Most incoming students have both a major in one and a minor in another discipline. In recent years students have entered with undergraduate training in bioinformatics or computational biology.

Each student obtains individual counseling by one of the two graduate program directors upon arrival and throughout their academic career. As Bioinformatics is still developing, new courses are added all the time. Current students are encouraged to contact the Program Directors about courses that may be relevant to their studies and are not listed on the website (esp. if they are new or infrequently offered).

In most cases, we recommend you apply to the PIBS program, as it provides flexibility in classes, funding, and a central admission for many biomedical programs. If you have no or very little biology background, please contact our Student Services Representative as to whether a direct application would be better. Current student who are considering transferring areas of study should also contact the Bioinformatics Graduate Office.

There is no need to apply both direct and through PIBS, as the same committee sees your applications.

For most students, thesis work includes computing, reading, and writing. A small group also participates in wet laboratory work. Please check both the research areas and student webpages for an overview of the varied subjects addressed in research and student theses.

Many of our graduate students obtain academic postdoctoral fellowships and go on to faculty positions. Quite a significant number of graduates go into non-academic professions such as small or large biotech companies. Some have founded their own business, and others apply their analytical skills in companies unrelated to bioinformatics. For a current list of graduate placement, please visit the alumni pages.

No. If you want to get a PhD, directly apply to the PhD Program.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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