As the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries evolve, the demand for highly skilled Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) has never been greater.

However, with this high demand comes fierce competition for roles, making it essential to have a standout MSL resume that highlights your expertise.

In this article, we’ll explore how to make a resume and provide valuable tips to help you create one that catches the attention of hiring managers.

MSL resume examples

Pfizer MSL resume sample

Pfizer MSL resume template

Medical Science Liaison Resume
Use template Download PDF

Resume for MSL | Plain text

Name: Alexander Mitchell
Location: New York, NY
Contact Information:
- Phone: (212) 555-8942
- Email: alexmitchell@email.com
- LinkedIn: /in/alexandermitchell

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Experienced Medical Science Liaison (MSA) with 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in oncology and immunology. Skilled in establishing strategic partnerships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and healthcare professionals (HCPs), driving clinical and scientific initiatives.

EXPERIENCE

Pfizer, Inc. – New York, NY

Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSA)

January 2019 – Present

  • Lead scientific communication for Pfizer’s immuno-oncology pipeline, working with over 50 KOLs and principal investigators across the Northeast U.S.
  • Provide strategic scientific input for phase II and phase III clinical trials, ensuring alignment with regulatory and scientific objectives.
  • Represent Pfizer at major medical conferences, delivering scientific presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams (medical affairs, clinical operations, marketing) to develop educational materials, communications, and publications.

Novartis – New York, NY

Medical Science Liaison (MSL)

June 2015 – December 2018

  • Managed a portfolio of immunology and rheumatology products, supporting clinical trial recruitment, data generation, and post-marketing surveillance.
  • Delivered in-depth scientific and clinical presentations to healthcare professionals and decision-makers in the New York area.
  • Enhanced stakeholder relationships, resulting in improved collaboration between academic institutions and clinical trial sites.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

University of California, San Francisco, CA

Graduated: May 2015

Bachelor of Science in Biology

University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA

Graduated: May 2007

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS

  • Board Certified in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP)
  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certified
  • Skilled in literature review, clinical trial design, and data analysis
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Veeva Vault, and Medidata
  • Fluent in English and Spanish

Strong sides of this MSL resume example:

  • The candidate has experience in high-impact positions at well-known companies like Pfizer and Novartis, which strengthens their credibility.
  • There are measurable outcomes such as managing over 50 KOLs and working on phase II and III clinical trials, which demonstrate direct impact on company goals and research.
  • The PharmD diploma from a prestigious institution along with a relevant undergraduate degree (Biology) adds to the qualifications.
How to properly format a resume for a medical science liaison?
  • Choose clean, professional fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Font size should be 10-12 points for the body text and slightly larger for headings (14-16).
  • Standard 1-inch margins on all sides to ensure a neat and clean layout.
  • Use 1.0 or 1.15 spacing for readability. Avoid dense paragraphs, and instead use bullet points where possible.
  • Keep your resume to one or two pages. Longer documents are acceptable for those with more extensive experience.
  • Maintain consistency throughout the document in terms of font style, size, and headings. This helps create a polished appearance.

To avoid formatting issues and save time, make resume online.

Resume Trick provides customizable free resume templates to download designed to meet industry standards, ensuring your application looks professional without the headache of creating it manually.

Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE

Build My Resume

Cardiology medical science liaison resume example

Sample cardiology MSL resume

Name: Emily Johnson
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact Information:
- Phone: (312) 555-3372
- Email: emilyjohnson@email.com
- LinkedIn: /in/emilyjohnson

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dynamic and highly skilled Cardiology MSL with 8+ years of experience in cardiovascular medicine and clinical research. Proven track record of driving scientific communication and promoting evidence-based approaches to healthcare professionals.

EXPERIENCE

Bristol-Myers Squibb – Chicago, IL

Cardiology Medical Science Liaison

March 2020 – Present

  • Serve as the primary scientific contact for cardiology products, focusing on heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension.
  • Conduct scientific presentations to cardiologists, hospital administrators, and healthcare teams, offering insights into treatment strategies and clinical trial data.
  • Assist in designing and implementing cardiovascular clinical trials, including patient recruitment and site selection for Phase III studies.
  • Partner with research teams to ensure alignment of clinical development plans with market access goals.

Eli Lilly and Company – Chicago, IL

Medical Science Liaison

July 2017 – February 2020

  • Focused on educating cardiologists and primary care physicians on diabetes management and its cardiovascular implications.
  • Delivered technical information related to the clinical benefits and safety profile of products, which contributed to an increase in product adoption by 15% in the region.
  • Managed scientific advisory boards and facilitated roundtable discussions with leading cardiologists to address emerging cardiovascular concerns.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

University of Illinois College of Pharmacy – Chicago, IL

Graduated: May 2017

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI

Graduated: May 2010

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS

  • American College of Cardiology (ACC) Certification
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certified
  • Expertise in clinical trial design and pharmacovigilance
  • Proficient in Veeva Vault, SmartBear, and Tableau

Here are a few reasons why this example of a resume for MSL will impress recruiters:

  • It emphasizes the candidate's ability to present to cardiologists and hospital administrators and collaborate across research teams.
  • The use of specific therapeutic areas increases the appeal to employers in this field.
  • The achievements (e.g., a 15% increase in product adoption) show direct contributions to the company’s success.
Should I choose an MSL resume objective or summary?

A resume summary is typically a brief section at the top of the page that highlights your key qualifications.

  • This is ideal for professionals with several years of experience.
  • It showcases your value right away.

MSL resume summary sample:

Experienced Medical Science Liaison with over 8 years of expertise in oncology research and clinical trials. Proven track record in building relationships with healthcare providers, delivering impactful scientific presentations, and supporting product launches. Adept at translating complex scientific data into practical applications for healthcare professionals.

A resume objective is better suited for entry-level MSLs or those transitioning from another career.

  • It should focus on your work goals and how they align with the company’s mission.
  • This is more of a statement of intent rather than a summary of past achievements.

MSL resume objective example:

Motivated and detail-oriented biologist seeking to transition into the role of Medical Science Liaison. Eager to leverage a strong foundation in research and data analysis to contribute to innovative healthcare solutions and build impactful relationships with healthcare providers.

How to showcase your MSL resume skills?

The skills section allows recruiters to quickly scan for specific qualifications they are looking for, such as scientific knowledge, communication, or problem-solving.

  • Hard skills are the specific, teachable abilities that are essential for performing the job.
  • Soft skills on the other hand, are interpersonal attributes that are more difficult to quantify but equally important in the role.

MSL hard skills:

  • Clinical trial management
  • Medical writing
  • Scientific research
  • Data analysis
  • Regulatory knowledge
  • Pharmacology expertise
  • Medical device knowledge
  • Literature review
  • Presentation skills
  • Biostatistics

Soft skills for an MSL:

  • Strong communication
  • Relationship building
  • Time management
  • Team collaboration
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Negotiation skills
  • Leadership abilities
  • Emotional intelligence

Entry-level MSL resume template

Medical science liaison resume sample with no experience

Entry-Level Medical Science Liaison Resume
Use template Download PDF

Resume for beginner medical science liaison | Text version

Name: Rachel Martinez
Location: Houston, TX
Contact Information:
- Phone: (713) 555-7021
- Email: rachelmartinez@email.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Recent PharmD graduate with a strong foundation in medical science, clinical research, and patient care. Looking to transition into the MSL role by leveraging academic expertise, a passion for advancing scientific knowledge, and an eagerness to collaborate with healthcare professionals in a clinical setting.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

University of Texas, College of Pharmacy – Houston, TX

Graduated: May 2024

  • Relevant Coursework: Clinical Research, Drug Development, Pharmacovigilance, Medical Communication
  • Research: Investigated the pharmacodynamics of novel anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients.

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

University of Texas at Austin, TX

Graduated: May 2020

INTERNSHIPS & CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

MD Anderson Cancer Center – Houston, TX

Pharmacy Intern

June 2023 – April 2024

  • Assisted in the management of cancer-related therapies, providing counseling to patients and healthcare providers regarding drug safety and efficacy.
  • Participated in clinical trials and conducted literature reviews on oncology pharmacotherapy, supporting the development of patient safety protocols.
  • Gained exposure to clinical trial monitoring and the regulatory processes involved in new drug submissions.

PharmacoCare Clinic – Houston, TX

Pharmacy Intern

June 2022 – May 2023

  • Supported the clinical pharmacy team in assessing patient medication regimens and recommending therapeutic changes to optimize outcomes.
  • Conducted patient counseling on cardiovascular drugs, focusing on patient adherence and side effects management.

CERTIFICATIONS & SKILLS

  • Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Certification (pending)
  • Strong communication skills with experience in scientific writing and medical presentations
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Endnote, and PubMed
  • Knowledge of clinical trial design and good clinical practice (GCP)
  • Fluent in English and conversational Spanish

This sample MSL resume is effective for several reasons:

  • The research experience related to anticoagulants highlights the candidate’s readiness for the MSL role.
  • Even though the person is a beginner, they have gained hands-on experience at prestigious internships like MD Anderson Cancer Center and PharmacoCare Clinic.
  • The application emphasizes strong communication skills, which are essential for an MSL role, even at an entry level.
What academic credentials should I add to my resume?

Hiring managers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries place a high value on candidates with strong educational backgrounds, particularly in fields like life sciences, pharmacology, or medical research.

  • Always state your most recent diploma first, including the degree name (e.g., PhD, MD, MS) and the field of study (e.g., Molecular Biology).
  • Highlight the name of the institution where you obtained your degree.
  • While not always necessary, listing your graduation year can show relevance and currency of your knowledge.
  • If applicable, include coursework or certifications that are directly related to the MSL role, such as clinical research, biostatistics, or regulatory affairs.
How to organize the experience section in a resume?

This part details your professional history and demonstrates how your past roles have prepared you for the MSL position.

  • Always list your title (e.g., Medical Science Liaison, Clinical Research Associate) and ensure it's specific.
  • Include the organization’s name and the location (city, state).
  • Add the time frame of your employment (e.g., June 2018 – Present).
  • Use bullet points to highlight specific responsibilities and achievements, focusing on measurable outcomes.

Start each bullet with a strong action verb to describe what you accomplished (e.g., "Led," "Developed," "Initiated").

Conclusion

A well-crafted resume is more than just a list of qualifications. It's a strategic marketing tool that showcases your expertise and passion for science and medicine.

By following the tips outlined in this article and focusing on the essential elements such as your scientific background, communication skills, and industry-specific knowledge, you can position yourself as a top candidate for the positions.

Remember, the right application can open doors to exciting opportunities in the healthcare field, so take the time to tailor your document to the role and organization you're targeting.

Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE

Build My Resume