Medical Science Liaison - Gastroenterology - Chicago

Role Summary

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in Gastroenterology is a field-facing role focused on scientific exchange with external experts, stakeholder engagement, and data generation to support medical messages and evidence development. You will build long-term relationships with key opinion leaders, facilitate information-sharing within regulatory guidelines, and contribute to the medical strategy and governance processes. The role covers the Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin region and requires independent operation with potential substantial travel.

Responsibilities

• Engage external stakeholders in one-on-one and group settings to exchange medical and scientific information, demonstrating strong clinical knowledge.
• Articulate the medical and scientific value of products using knowledge of diseases, management protocols, and competitive landscape.
• Establish and maintain long-term peer relationships with Key Opinion Leaders and other stakeholders.
• Engage with stakeholders on medical, clinical, epidemiologic, and scientific topics to advance disease understanding within regulatory guidelines.
• Understand local, state, regional, and national healthcare policies and guidelines as they relate to clinical practice.
• Identify, profile, and prioritize stakeholders using defined systems and pursue collaborations aligned with therapeutic goals.
• Plan territory medical strategy and engagement plans consistent with the Field Base Medical Activity Plan and priorities.
• Represent the company at scientific congresses and organize educational meetings or local scientific advisory boards.
• Support speaker training to ensure ongoing scientific support in the field.
• Respond to unsolicited requests for medical information related to supported products and disease areas.
• Gather data from stakeholder interactions, record insights, and provide feedback to improve medical messages, plans, and product development.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Medical Affairs, Medical Information, Commercial Operations) and with Regulatory, Commercial Operations, and other teams as needed.
• Support evidence-generation activities by aiding data collection and identifying opportunities for further data collection or investigator-led studies.
• Monitor disease epidemiology and assist with protocol development for various study types as needed.
• Maintain awareness of clinical trial activity within the territory and assist with identifying potential sites.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a technical, scientific, or medical field (MD, PhD, PharmD) preferred, or other relevant life science degree with Rhinology and/or Gastroenterology specialty required.
• Must reside in the territory.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to pass a background check; comfortable driving a company car for daily meetings.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in pharmaceutical industry, Medical Science Liaison role, or relevant clinical practice; MSL experience strongly preferred.
• Immunology with Gastroenterology clinical experience may be considered.
• Clear understanding of medical practice, clinical decision making, and healthcare systems; ability to interpret key scientific data for educational/research needs.
• Experience delivering cutting-edge, evidence-based scientific data; understanding of research study design and execution.
• Exemplary communication and presentation skills; experience working on multidisciplinary teams and managing multiple projects.

Skills

• Active listening and diplomacy with the ability to state expert opinion while respecting others’ positions.
• Professional communication to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders; flexible approach to people and situations.
• Strong planning, prioritization, and execution of multiple responsibilities and projects.
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to handle challenges within authority.
• Knowledge of local pharmaceutical regulations and non-promotional activity requirements.
• Scientific expertise and the ability to translate feedback into actionable insights; awareness of evolving medical landscape, regulatory and payer environments.
• Proficiency with digital tools.

Education

• Advanced degree in a technical, scientific, or medical field (MD, PhD, PharmD) preferred, or other relevant Life Science degree with Gastroenterology specialization required.