Principal Medical Science Liaison - Rare Epilepsies

Lundbeck•Boston, MA

4d•$215,000 - $245,000•Remote

About The Position

The Principal Medical Science Liaison (Principal MSL), Rare Epilepsies provides advanced, field-based medical and scientific leadership in support of Lundbeck’s NeuroRare focus on developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. The role is a strategic pre-launch scientific partner to external experts and internal stakeholders, generating actionable insights that inform evidence strategy, disease education, portfolio decisions, and launch readiness. The Principal MSL operates with significant autonomy, influences without authority, and serves as a peer leader within the MSL organization. The role requires scientific depth, outcome-oriented leadership, and insight generation that advances NeuroRare medical strategy, strengthens external scientific credibility, and shapes the disease environment. The position is field-based across multiple U.S. regions, with the specific territory determined during hiring. The employee must live within the assigned territory, have reasonable access to a major airport, and be willing and able to travel domestically up to 50–75%. Driving is an essential duty, and business use of a personal vehicle is required through Lundbeck’s Vehicle Fleet Stipend Program.

Requirements

Accredited advanced degree in a health- or life-sciences-related field.
At least 7 years of healthcare or related experience in industry, clinical practice, research, academia, or managed markets.
At least 5 years of customer-facing Field Medical Affairs experience within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences organization.
Proven experience supporting pre-launch assets, including KOL identification and strategic mapping.
Demonstrated strategic leadership and ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without authority.
Ability to interpret complex scientific data and translate it into meaningful scientific dialogue and decision-relevant insights.
Strong business acumen and understanding of drug development, evidence generation, and launch planning.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to influence without authority.
Ability to build trust through scientific credibility and work effectively in a matrixed environment.
Track record of accountability, strategic thinking, and results orientation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Valid driver’s license in good standing; driving is an essential duty.
Residence within the assigned territory and reasonable access to a major airport.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically up to 50–75%.
Ability to use a personal vehicle for business through the Vehicle Fleet Stipend Program.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree (MD, DO, PharmD, or PhD), accredited advanced clinical degree (NP or PA), or master’s degree in a health-sciences-related field.
Experience and relationships in rare disease, developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, epilepsy, or related neurodevelopmental or pediatric neurological disorders.
Background in clinical practice, academic research, or teaching.
Trusted and respected voice in the rare disease ecosystem, with transparency, empathy, and meaningful community engagement.
Deep expertise in rare disease best practices.
Proactive, solutions-oriented approach and ability to drive progress in ambiguous or unstructured settings.
Mission-driven approach combining scientific rigor, empathy, credibility, and purpose to inspire collaboration.
Broad and influential rare disease network and ability to mobilize partnerships and coalitions.

Responsibilities

Build and sustain long-term scientific partnerships with Key Opinion Leaders, Centers of Excellence, and investigators in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.
Conduct high-quality, compliant scientific exchanges on disease biology, unmet need, endpoints, and emerging evidence.
Generate pre-launch field medical insights by evaluating scientific value narratives, differentiation hypotheses, and evidence gaps through external engagement.
Synthesize and communicate insights with implications for evidence strategy, publication planning, disease education, and portfolio decisions.
Document insights accurately and promptly in CRM systems in accordance with quality standards.
Partner with Medical Affairs leadership to refine scientific narratives, identify data gaps, and inform strategic direction.
Lead or co-lead cross-functional initiatives with Medical Directors, Clinical Development, Evidence Strategy, and other teams.
Connect external experts with internal teams to support advisory boards, evidence generation, publications, and strategic initiatives.
Identify and facilitate investigator-initiated trials, grant submissions, and research collaborations aligned with NeuroRare medical strategy.
Support clinical development activities, including investigator identification and site outreach, as appropriate and compliant.
Represent field medical perspectives in strategic planning, insight discussions, brand planning, and evidence strategy forums.
Deliver non-promotional disease education that advances disease recognition, diagnosis, and referral pathways.
Help shape disease education strategy and ensure scientific rigor and consistency in disease narratives and medical lexicon.
Support congress strategy by engaging in scientific discussions, attending priority sessions, and facilitating strategic KOL interactions with Medical Leadership.
Maintain advanced knowledge of scientific and clinical developments in NeuroRare disease areas.
Model high-quality MSL execution, scientific engagement, and compliance, and mentor senior and junior MSLs.
Contribute to or lead Field Medical initiatives, workstreams, and process improvements that improve scalability, quality, and impact.
Partner with Field Medical Leadership to identify capability gaps, training needs, and process improvements.
Contribute to a collaborative and accountable team culture and complete required training, administration, and documentation on time.
Maintain compliance with FDA, company, and governance standards.