Job Description

Our Medical Affairs team advances patient care by engaging in scientific exchange with external medical experts and industry leaders, ensuring the scientific value of our cardiovascular products is understood. We connect, communicate, and train internal employees to ensure a thorough understanding of the science behind cardiovascular medicine and review further unmet medical needs to support collaboration to further differentiate our portfolio.

Medical Scientific Liaisons (MSLs) are scientifically trained and credentialed experts in the therapeutic area of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. They engage in non-promotional scientific exchange with Scientific Leaders (SLs) or Key Decision Makers (KDMs). MSL interactions with SLs and KDMs are built on the credibility of the scientific exchange held. MSLs develop and execute action plans aligned with the Guiding Principles for Ex-US GMA/OGMA External Stakeholder-Facing Activities, local and global company policies, local rules & regulations, and the Medical Affairs Plan (MAP).

The MSL is responsible for ensuring that he/she is fully versed in the therapeutic area of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, up-to-date on all major studies (both ongoing and completed), product information on our company’s and other companies’ relevant therapies, clinical data, and relevant pipeline data to provide the most balanced information to SLs, KDMs, and the healthcare community to improve patient care.

Key Responsibilities:

Engagement with External Experts

• Engage in non-promotional peer-to-peer exchange of medical and scientific information with SLs or KDMs regarding atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, to the extent permitted by law and local regulation, local industry codes, and other provisions of the Guiding Principles for Ex-US GMA/OGMA External Stakeholder-Facing Activities.
• Gain deep insights on cardiovascular disease, therapeutic area needs, data gaps, and challenges in their local geography.
• Represent Medical Affairs (MA) at local or regional non-promotional medical events (e.g., Medical Congresses and Symposia) and collaborate in the coordination of pre-event scientific information and post-event scientific summaries.
• Respond to unsolicited requests for medical, scientific, pipeline, or marketed product information related to cardiovascular therapies from SLs or KDMs utilizing appropriate approved scientific materials.
• Provide medical/scientific support, including written documentation and/or verbal interactions for Health Technology Assessments (HTA) and formulary decisions, following the principles of scientific exchange as outlined in the Guiding Principles for Ex-US GMA/OGMA External Stakeholder-Facing Activities.

Internal Support

• Participate in the development of Medical Affairs Plans (MAP) and implementation of activities identified in the MAP focused on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
• Support the identification of potential study investigators for sponsored studies in collaboration with Global Clinical Trials Organization (GCTO), GDSA, or Center for Observational and Real World Research (CORE) personnel.
• Provide insights internally on scientific gaps, ideas, and other topics gathered from scientific exchange to inform our Investigator Study Program Areas of Interest, development programs, and company therapeutic area strategy.
• Support company commercial colleagues by providing on-label or disease state scientific training to our company personnel in the therapeutic area when requested and where allowed.

Geographic Working Area

• This role covers the entire Italian territory, requiring flexibility and mobility across the country. Ideally, the candidate will reside in or near Rome to ensure a central location and easy access to our site in Rome, facilitating effective collaboration and on-site presence when needed.

Education

An advanced scientific degree is strongly preferred, such as MD (or equivalent MB.Ch.B.), PharmD, or Ph.D. in a life science, preferably with clinical knowledge of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. At a minimum, a college education degree in pharmacy is required.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of pharmaceutical experience is strongly preferred. Experience in the atherosclerosis and cardiovascular therapeutic area is highly preferred.
• Strong scientific baseline knowledge in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, clinical trial methods, implementation, and data interpretation, sound scientific and clinical judgment, and eagerness to continue to learn more in-depth about this specific therapeutic area.
• Ability to present scientific and other technical information with confidence, in a way that engenders trust and credibility.
• Excellent communication skills across a variety of internal and external audiences, including listening and probing skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to function within a team environment.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work under pressure.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Problem Solving, Clinical Trial Methodology, Clinical Trial Support, Communication, Data Analysis, Interpersonal Relationships, Management Process, Medical Knowledge, Medical Marketing Strategy, Project Management, Relationship Building, Scientific Communications, Scientific Exchange, Teamwork, Therapeutic Knowledge, University Education, Virology

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/13/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.