Research investigator vs medical science liaison

The differences between research investigators and medical science liaisons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a research investigator and a medical science liaison. Additionally, a medical science liaison has an average salary of $145,718, which is higher than the $79,438 average annual salary of a research investigator.

The top three skills for a research investigator include patients, data analysis and molecular biology. The most important skills for a medical science liaison are patients, medical affairs, and MSL.

Research investigator vs medical science liaison overview

	Research Investigator	Medical Science Liaison
Yearly salary	$79,438	$145,718
Hourly rate	$38.19	$70.06
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	55,837	57,208
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a research investigator do?

A research investigator is responsible for obtaining information for various purposes through research and in-depth investigation, ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of data to solve cases. Research investigators develop a strategic approach to data gathering procedures, maintaining the integrity of outputs, and keeping the confidentiality of information. They also strictly adhere to the standard protocols and federal regulations, as well as performing high-level duties according to business requirements and client specifications, following the budget limitations and timetable.

What does a medical science liaison do?

A medical science liaison (MSL) is a scientific professional who facilitates a working relationship between healthcare companies and leading physicians, researchers, and clinicians. Also referred to as key opinion leaders (KOL), medical science liaisons represent their company to the decision-makers in the medical community as well as to investors and government regulatory agencies. They analyze clinical trends and monitor the scientific literature for new developments in the medical community. Medical science liaisons also prepare medical samples and data to investigate the causes of chronic diseases, pathogens, and toxicity.

Research investigator vs medical science liaison salary

Research investigators and medical science liaisons have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Investigator	Medical Science Liaison
Average salary	$79,438	$145,718
Salary range	Between $53,000 And $118,000	Between $59,000 And $359,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Jackson, TN
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Tennessee
Best paying company	Mintz	Saint Luke's Health System
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Manufacturing

Differences between research investigator and medical science liaison education

There are a few differences between a research investigator and a medical science liaison in terms of educational background:

	Research Investigator	Medical Science Liaison
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Chemistry	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	University of Southern California

Research investigator vs medical science liaison demographics

Here are the differences between research investigators' and medical science liaisons' demographics:

	Research Investigator	Medical Science Liaison
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 52.6% Female, 47.4%	Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 23.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between research investigator and medical science liaison duties and responsibilities

Research investigator example responsibilities.

Manage laboratory to produce and analyze DNA microarrays.
Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Validate and implement quantitative analytical methods for the determination of biomarkers in biological matrices.
Update GLCF website using HTML scripting.
research on structure determination from NMR data.
Optimize efficient reporter virus assay to replace ELISA endpoint.

Medical science liaison example responsibilities.

Supervise and analyze medical necessity review of manage care appeals.
Develop and manage KOLs resulting in presentations to regional, national and international meetings.
Utilize extensive knowledge of medical terminology, ICD-9, HCPCS and CPT coding along with analysis and processing of Medicare claims.
Provide pre-launch field support for a novel diabetes compound.
Provide drug information to medical professionals and sales force within FDA guidelines.
Join Clementine as a trainee BMS and successfully complete training and registration.

Research investigator vs medical science liaison skills

Common research investigator skills

Patients, 16%
Data Analysis, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Immunology, 4%
Drug Discovery, 4%
Visualization, 4%

Common medical science liaison skills

Patients, 11%
Medical Affairs, 9%
MSL, 7%
Medical Science, 6%
Pharmaceutical Industry, 5%
Internal Stakeholders, 4%

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Research Investigator vs Medical Science Liaison

Updated January 8, 2025

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