Medical Science Liaison Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - North of Belgium

Job Description

We are looking for a Medical Science Liaison - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease who will cover the North of Belgium

AstraZeneca is pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-saving breakthrough medicines that will improve patients’ lives. In that endeavour, Medical Affairs is a key strategic partner in shaping the optimal performance of the AstraZeneca brands. The Medical Science Liaison is responsible for building scientific partnerships with Key External Experts (KEE) and other healthcare professionals through providing high quality up-to-date scientific and medical information to customers. The successful candidate will continuously build robust scientific and medical expertise on the therapeutic area, AstraZeneca products and its competitors and combines this with a business acumen attitude and strong communication skills. The function is 80% based in the field. The role will work in strong collaboration with the medical affairs manager who is office-based and will report to the medical affairs lead of the therapeutic area (TA).

In addition to the general description of the parent profile role for this job function, the following summarize key result areas, specific accountabilities and / or tasks, etc. associated with this job title:

Conduct scientific exchange and collect customer insights:
The MSL role typically interacts with a target list of expert customers to develop strong strategic partnerships driven by science and the TA strategy. During these interactions that are non-promotional in nature and driven by a clear (customer) objective, a lot of customer insights are gained that need to flow back to the brand teams. Within this broad task, the MSL will:

• Stay up to date in TA knowledge through active monitoring of the scientific literature, congress attendance and frequent interactions with Key External Experts (KEE)
• Discuss key data sets with experts in F2F contacts or group meetings to identify patient pathways, treatment realities in areas of medical need as guided by the TA strategy
• Develop omnichannel medical communication plans and be the master orchestrator in the implementation
• Build relationships with experts for advocacy development
• Partner with KEEs and manage projects, leading to optimized COPD patient care
• Brief speakers for scientific events
• Document customer and visit information in a customer relationship management tool
• Continuously improve or optimize impactful communication skills through received coaching by line-manager or other coaches in joint visits
• Interact with other MSLs from other countries or other TAs to exchange best practice and further shape the role
• Attend international and national scientific and medical congresses in the TA
• Respond to unsolicited Medical Information (MI) requests about approved or unapproved AstraZeneca products, or about unapproved uses of approved AstraZeneca products.

Cross-functional scientific exchange and communication with internal stakeholders
The MSL role is also very active in enabling other functions through internal education and support based on their knowledge from the customers and the TA.

• Share customer insights with internal stakeholders (brand team, sales reps)
• Gain profound territory knowledge (eg. by getting input from the sales representatives).
• Educate sales representatives by providing in-depth information on disease and therapies when required
• Support Clinical operations in site selection
• Work together with External Service Provider for MI to meet the requirements set in the local MI procedure.

Gain input from and co-create projects with KEE
The MSL role typically organizes and leads meetings with KEE to gain their input on well-defined data sets or projects to advance the TA strategy. They will recruit participants to these meetings from their target list. Within this broad task, the MSL will:

• Develop relationships with KEE and know their interests (customer profiling)
• Conduct and moderate the meetings
• Have a sound knowledge of the TA strategy (business acumen)
• Liaise with the brand team to prepare and report back

Manage scientific partnerships with KEE

• Manage Externally Sponsored Research
• Follow-up of grants/chairs/scientific sponsoring with Key External Experts

Be compliant

• Successfully complete all training requirements
• Comply with all external regulations & internal policies
• Full understanding of AZ MSL guide, external interactions policy standards, (including, but not limited to publications policy, congress policy, ...)

Crucial Skills/Experience:

• Medical or Pharmacist Degree or scientific degree with PhD
• Significant and robust experience with searching, handling, assimilating, synthesizing, reporting and presenting scientific data in the health care sector
• National mobility and flexibility (organisation and attendance of evening meetings)
• Knowledge of therapeutic area or the ability to acquire this knowledge rapidly.
• Medical integrity and ethical balance
• Profound interest in the Belgian Healthcare system
• Languages: Fluent in Dutch/English and some French

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience in and knowledge of pharmaceutical medical and marketing processes
• Experience in moderation of meetings with Healthcare Professionals
• Broad employability in other TAs is an asset.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.