Regional Medical Scientific Director (Medical Science Liaison) - Cardiovascular & Metabolism (Northern California)

Merck • San Francisco, CA

12d • $190,800 - $300,300 • Remote

About The Position

The Regional Medical Scientific Director (RMSD) – Cardiovascular & Metabolism is a credentialed therapeutic and disease expert who conducts scientific exchange with leaders in the external medical and scientific community. RMSDs provide balanced, factual scientific information about non-product areas of company interest, respond to scientific questions—including questions about company products—and may not make promotional claims or advise on the diagnosis or treatment of individual patients. The position covers Northern California and Nevada and is remote; the employee must reside in the territory and may travel up to 50%. The role is organized around scientific exchange, clinical research, scientific congress support, and scientific insights, and includes serving as a role model for field medical team members through onboarding and therapeutic training.

The RMSD develops and maintains professional relationships with national and regional scientific leaders; facilitates peer-to-peer scientific discussions; answers questions and refers inquiries outside the role’s scope to appropriate company resources; and completes company-directed education and training. The RMSD supports clinical research by communicating the scientific foundations and goals of company-sponsored trials and investigator-sponsored research, and, when requested, identifies enrollment or retention barriers, recommends study sites, identifies potential investigators, and addresses investigator questions. The role also supports scientific congresses through preparation, scientific and data exchange, insight gathering, and exhibit-booth staffing as applicable. Routine interactions are used to gather insights about healthcare practitioner and patient medical or scientific needs, priorities, and concerns.

The successful candidate will have a doctoral-level credential and at least three years of relevant Cardiovascular & Metabolism therapeutic-area experience beyond that gained in the terminal degree program. They will demonstrate doctoral-level stakeholder discussions, scientific education and dialogue, stakeholder management, communication and networking, understanding of relevant pharmaceutical-industry laws and guidelines, strong organization and adaptability, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and virtual meeting platforms. The role requires adherence to field and corporate policies, GMSA strategy, SOPs, GCP guidelines, and administrative responsibilities, as well as commitment to an inclusive, collaborative workplace.

Requirements

• PhD, PharmD, DNP, or MD.
• At least 3 years of relevant Cardiovascular & Metabolism therapeutic-area experience beyond experience obtained in the terminal degree program; examples include atherosclerosis, lipidology, or MASH.
• Ability to conduct doctoral-level discussions with key external stakeholders.
• Dedication to scientific excellence, scientific education, and dialogue.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and networking skills.
• Thorough comprehension of FDA, OIG, HIPAA, and other ethical guidelines, laws, and regulations relevant to the pharmaceutical industry and its customers.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and work effectively in a constantly changing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and OneNote.
• Familiarity with virtual meeting platforms.
• Must reside in the Northern California and Nevada territory.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.
• Valid driving license.
• Consistent adherence to applicable company policies, GMSA strategy, SOPs, GCP guidelines, and administrative and operational responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Field-based medical experience in Cardiovascular & Metabolism.
• Research experience.
• Demonstrated record of scientific or medical publication.

Responsibilities

• Develop professional relationships and engage with national and regional scientific leaders to provide access to medical and scientific information on therapeutic interests and company products.
• Conduct peer-to-peer scientific discussions and maintain a reliable medical presence with scientific leaders.
• Respond to scientific questions and refer inquiries outside the RMSD’s scope to appropriate company resources in accordance with applicable policies.
• Complete company-directed education and training to maintain current scientific and clinical knowledge.
• Liaise between the scientific community and the company to support understanding of company-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-sponsored research.
• When requested, identify patient enrollment and retention barriers, recommend study sites, and identify potential investigators for clinical development programs.
• Address investigator questions and provide information about participation in company-sponsored clinical studies.
• Support understanding of the scientific foundations and goals of the company Investigator Studies Program; discuss scientific and data exchange with scientific leaders or potential investigators to assess research-strategy alignment, scientific merit, and qualifications.
• Prepare for and engage in scientific congresses, facilitate scientific and data exchange on company and competitor data, collect insights, and staff exhibit booths as applicable.
• Gather feedback and information during routine activities to help the company understand healthcare practitioner and patient medical or scientific needs, priorities, and concerns.
• Serve as a role model for field medical colleagues, including through onboarding and therapeutic training.
• Adhere to field and corporate policies, GMSA strategy, SOPs, GCP guidelines, and administrative and operational responsibilities.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment and support an inclusive culture.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, healthcare, and other insurance benefits for employees and families.
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, compassionate days, and sick days.
• Eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree