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Medical science liaison skills for your resume and career
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Erin Grinshteyn Ph.D.,
Erin Yelland Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical medical science liaison skills. We ranked the top skills for medical science liaisons based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 10.6% of medical science liaison resumes contained patients as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a medical science liaison needs to be successful in the workplace.
15 medical science liaison skills for your resume and career
1. Patients
Here's how medical science liaisons use patients:
- Articulated benefits of injection technique to raise awareness and clinical knowledge of clinicians to help optimize insulin therapy for their patients.
- Reduced unnecessary referral of patients with diseases not treatable with laser surgery to specialized treatment centers.
2. Medical Affairs
Medical affairs refers to a group of employees within a larger medical device or pharmaceutical corporation. These employees are tasked with reaching out to medical professionals and researchers to ensure the medical device or pharmaceutical has been properly researched and studied before being offered to the public.
Here's how medical science liaisons use medical affairs:
- Identified relevant clinical data and assisted marketing and medical affairs in developing the information into field appropriate messaging.
- Represented Medical Affairs at various conferences/congresses to assess current scientific and clinical trends.
3. MSL
MSL stands for "minimum stock level," but this phrase is also commonly called "buffer stock" or "safety stock." This refers to the minimum amount of material or product that must be stored at all times. If this amount falls below the MSL, there's a potential for manufacturing delays.
Here's how medical science liaisons use msl:
- Assured MSL alignment with each brand's key strategic initiatives * Evaluated Investigator Initiated Study protocols for further organizational support.
- Provided coaching and feedback to improve MSL performance while facilitating professional development.
4. Medical Science
Medical science comprises several subjects that attempt to explain how the human body works. Basic biology is largely divided into fields of anatomy, pathology, and physiology. These subjects are later coupled with microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. Students can explore many exciting career opportunities such as biomedical scientist, forensic scientist, clinical laboratory technologist, and Medical Science Liaison (MSL) to name a few.
Here's how medical science liaisons use medical science:
- Assisted medical science liaison colleagues with formulation and implementation of special projects.
- Contracted Medical Science Liaison through Science Oriented Solutions
5. Pharmaceutical Industry
Here's how medical science liaisons use pharmaceutical industry:
- Contributed to the research, design and development of strategic marketing and educational materials for the pharmaceutical industry.
- Worked directly with thought leaders in the development of pharmaceutical industry supported and non-supported CME programs.
6. Internal Stakeholders
Here's how medical science liaisons use internal stakeholders:
- Provided medical information booth coverage, attended oral sessions, and facilitated meetings between thought leaders and internal stakeholders.
- Serve as liaison between clinical investigators and internal stakeholders in support of investigator-initiated studies.
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Here's how medical science liaisons use scientific exchange:
- Identified and built corporate relationships with key academic opinion leaders/ researchers to maintain an ongoing scientific exchange of information.
- Identified, profiled and engaged national Thought Leaders and other critical stakeholders through scientific exchange and unsolicited medical education.
8. Clinical Trials
Here's how medical science liaisons use clinical trials:
- Established relationships with key research centers in order to develop and implement clinical trials in oncology/hematology, transplantation and infectious disease.
- Coordinate field activities to support the development of key opinion leaders, investigator initiated research concepts and company sponsored clinical trials.
9. Clinical Research
Here's how medical science liaisons use clinical research:
- Identified and developed local, regional, and national key thought leader relationships for medical education and clinical research opportunities.
- Partnered with internal company clinical research and marketing personnel to foster information on medical research and product usage.
10. Excellent Interpersonal
Here's how medical science liaisons use excellent interpersonal:
- Open communication and excellent interpersonal skills assisted in building a strong relationship with staff and physicians.
11. Kols
Here's how medical science liaisons use kols:
- Developed and managed KOLs resulting in presentations to regional, national and international meetings.
- Developed a strong network of KOLs among child/adolescent and adult psychiatrists throughout territory.
12. Patient Care
Patient care entails the diagnosis, recovery, and control of sickness as well as the maintenance of physical and emotional well-being through the use of healthcare providers' services. Patient care is described as services provided to patients by health practitioners or non-professionals under guidance.
Here's how medical science liaisons use patient care:
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to manage cases and maximize quality of patient care.
- Identified in-patient care; provided direction, medical needs, and research opportunities to make recommendations on appropriate course of action.
13. Advisory Boards
Here's how medical science liaisons use advisory boards:
- Participated in medical and scientific advisory boards; scientific conferences; and medical monitoring and safety reporting of clinical studies.
- Produced Advisory Boards including identifying and inviting attendees, securing location, developing agenda, and other logistics.
14. Clinical Development
Here's how medical science liaisons use clinical development:
- Collaborated with Medical Communications, Medical Information, Marketing and Clinical Development.
- Identify potential investigators at the request of clinical development team members.
15. Disease State
Here's how medical science liaisons use disease state:
- Supported concept development and disease state awareness through medical/scientific discussions and presentation of research data.
- Identify opportunities to partner with opinion leaders on disease state or therapeutic initiatives.
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What skills help Medical Science Liaisons find jobs?
Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.
What skills stand out on medical science liaison resumes?
Erin Grinshteyn Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of San Francisco
I think this really depends on the field and is too broad for me to be able to comment on.
What soft skills should all medical science liaisons possess?
Erin Yelland Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Interim Director, Center on Aging, Associate Editor, Journal of Extension, Kansas State University
Demonstrated dedication to students and their academic success is critical. Being a great instructor isn't determined by how well you can stand in front of a classroom and lecture from a PowerPoint. A great instructor is instructional creative, passionate about each of their students, and committed to empowering their students to succeed academically and in their future profession. Listening, clear communication, patience, and supportive social skills all play a role in an instructor's effectiveness.
I dislike categorizing this as a soft skill, but it is often classified as such, so we will roll with it: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). All instructors, not just good ones, must be committed to the DEI of students, staff, faculty, and the entire campus community. Period. It's a non-negotiable.
I dislike categorizing this as a soft skill, but it is often classified as such, so we will roll with it: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). All instructors, not just good ones, must be committed to the DEI of students, staff, faculty, and the entire campus community. Period. It's a non-negotiable.
What hard/technical skills are most important for medical science liaisons?
Erin Yelland Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Interim Director, Center on Aging, Associate Editor, Journal of Extension, Kansas State University
Two that come to the top of mind, both of which have been amplified by the pandemic. First, a necessary skill is the ability to competently use various instructional platforms and technology-based engagement tools. When online education is prevalent and remote workforces are growing, innovative and contemporary technologies are essential for both pedagogical and student career success. Second, in the current climate of higher education, having demonstrated strategies and skills for student recruitment and yield is critical and highly valued. Recruitment is everyone's responsibility, and big ideas can equal big opportunities for you, even as an instructor.
What medical science liaison skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amber Watts Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Kansas
Building up skills that help prepare for your career goals is always an advantage. There are sure to be hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, and other facilities that are looking for volunteers or hourly workers to support older adults' wellness and give a rest to those health care workers that have been tirelessly serving throughout the pandemic. It's always a good idea to build up your resume with volunteer work, online or in person certificate programs, or entry level jobs. All of these can really help prepare you for when the economy opens up again.
Graduate school admissions are going to be affected by the pandemic because many universities are facing budget shortfalls that prevent them from financially supporting the number of graduate students they would normally support through research and teaching assistantships and other forms of financial aid. On the other hand, programs that gain tuition dollars from enrollments are going to be recruiting to get as many students into them as possible. There are many master's level programs that offer certificates and training in professional-services-related gerontology, rather than the more academic/research-oriented areas of gerontology study.
Graduate school admissions are going to be affected by the pandemic because many universities are facing budget shortfalls that prevent them from financially supporting the number of graduate students they would normally support through research and teaching assistantships and other forms of financial aid. On the other hand, programs that gain tuition dollars from enrollments are going to be recruiting to get as many students into them as possible. There are many master's level programs that offer certificates and training in professional-services-related gerontology, rather than the more academic/research-oriented areas of gerontology study.
What type of skills will young medical science liaisons need?
Dr. Ashley Jennings
Assistant Professor of Aging Studies, Bethune-Cookman University
Graduates will need to be effective leaders as well as strong collaborators. They should be compassionate, innovative, adaptable, emotionally intelligent, community-centered, and proficient as older adult advocates; also they need to be researchers. There is room for creativity and entrepreneurship in the field of gerontology, to find untapped resources and niches. Young graduates can carve out a unique space in this field or pursue careers in established areas. More so, the opportunities are endless to use their voices to educate others on issues such as health equity, food insecurity, mental health issues, elder abuse, caregiver support, or ageism in the workforce. Lastly, it's important that graduates feel comfortable incorporating their lived experiences, drawing from them to be better critical thinkers and decision makers.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about medical science liaisonList of medical science liaison skills to add to your resume
The most important skills for a medical science liaison resume and required skills for a medical science liaison to have include:
- Patients
- Medical Affairs
- MSL
- Medical Science
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Internal Stakeholders
- Scientific Exchange
- Clinical Trials
- Clinical Research
- Excellent Interpersonal
- Kols
- Patient Care
- Advisory Boards
- Clinical Development
- Disease State
- Oncology
- Scientific Data
- Scientific Expertise
- FDA
- Scientific Support
- Clinical Expertise
- Clinical Data
- HCPs
- Professional Relationships
- Clinical Support
- Primary Care
- Diabetes
- Clinical Operations
- Collaborative Relationships
- Clinical Presentations
- Medical Sales
- Competitive Intelligence
- Neurology
- Care Organizations
- Medical Care
- Medical Liaison
- HIV
- Medical Support
- Trial Support
- Immunization
- Scientific Resource
- Scientific Presentations
- Educational Support
- Phase IV
- Medical Community
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025