The Clinical Science Liaison (CSL) is a field-based medical affairs professional with scientific and therapeutic area (TA) expertise. Works alongside MSLs to expand scientific reach beyond International, National and Regional KEEs. CSL is responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with primary care providers including large group practices, other health care providers such as physicians and nurses, when appropriate. CSL will conduct educational programs on therapeutic area, disease state and management, guidelines application to clinical practice and appropriate use of approved and post-launch AstraZeneca products with a focus on diabetes, CV and nephrology areas. CSLs engage in in-depth medical and scientific disease area and AZ product discussions, and presentations in a non-promotional scientific context. Removes scientific barriers and advocates for evidence-based product differentiation and changes in medical practice. These activities, the circumstances in which they are conducted and the way to perform them in a fully compliant way are described in further detail in the Global Guide.

Additionally CSL responds to customer inquiries to ensure focused and balanced clinical and scientific information that supports the appropriate use of AstraZeneca's products and services in a patient focused manner; maintains expertise in disease state management, emerging therapies and the competitive landscape; gathers customer insights regarding AstraZeneca and competitor products to help inform medical and commercial strategies and adhere to internal standard processes and comply with regulatory and compliance requirements.

CSLs reports into the Medical or Scientific Affairs Department. CSLs must not have commercial objectives or measures.  However, CSLs and their management may communicate strategic objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to commercial stakeholders to ensure alignment.

Typical Accountabilities

Medical and Scientific support for External Stakeholders:

Scientific Exchange: Support medical/scientific knowledge, education and comprehension of all relevant clinical data:

• Engages local Key External Experts (KEEs), Health Care Practitioners (HCPs) and other external stakeholders by proactively providing on-label scientific updates and information on AZ disease areas, disease management guidelines and AZ marketed products as part of non-promotional scientific exchange.
• Responds to unsolicited requests for information about approved AZ products. Presenting such information in an objective, scientifically balanced and substantiated manner.
• Develop and implement an engagement plan in collaboration with MSLs and TA Medical Affairs Lead. Include in the plan details around contact with HCPs including the pre call plan with clear objectives for the interaction, key points for discussion, and details on the medical or scientific data to be shared and discussed.
• Organizing and leading educational and scientific exchange meetings.

Stakeholder Engagement: Develop, enhance and maintain external stakeholder engagement

• Proactively identify HCPs with high interest in local treatment practice to collaborate on activities consistent with the local Field Medical Strategic Plan.
• Develops and maintain a MA contact list, focused on local and regional primary care GPs, nurses and pharmacist
• Build AZ relationship with key external stakeholders (e.g. big physicians practices, patient advocacy groups, key medical organisations) consistent with Medical Affairs’ objectives. Find opportunities to collaborate with such external stakeholders.
• Reactively respond to sales force referrals to contact and engage particular HCP.
• Gathers insights on unmet medical need and patient pathways.
• Monitors database (Veeva) of HCPs and provide recommendations for advisory board members.

Clinical Development: Support the scientific programs that explore unmet medical needs in priority disease areas

• Identify pre-clinical, clinical and post-marketing study investigators in alignment with Medical Affairs’ objectives.
• Provides information to respective MSL about potential investigators to be contacted on the potential Externally Sponsored Research (ESR) and participation in Non Interventional Studies (NIS) program.

Medical and Scientific support for Internal Stakeholders

Scientific/Subject Matter Expertise: Act as scientific expert in priority disease area(s) for internal stakeholders

• Provide internal stakeholders with an understanding of clinical practice trends and actionable (strategic) information or insight that supports the value and appropriate use of AZ products
• Support appropriate AZ staff training on clinical data, trends in clinical practice within TA
• Provide relevant and timely feedback on HCP interactions using available resources (Veeva Medical CRM tool, Email, X-fly as appropriate).

Personal Development

Continually demonstrate development of: Scientific expertise in disease area(s) of company focus, Business acumen and strategic thinking, Strong communication

• Maintain medical/scientific expertise in disease state management, AZ products, emerging therapies, and the competitive landscape
• Demonstrate collaborative leadership and management along with advanced strategic thinking within and across field team and TA
• Continually develop ability to communicate in a variety of situations with various stakeholders
• Identify areas for self-development using the 70:20:10 principle (70% of time in experiential learning, 20% coaching/ networking/ relationship based learning and 10% in class room training).

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s Degree or working towards a professional qualification and/or
• Clinical experience (e.g., Nurse, Pharmacist, Primary Care Physician or related scientific degree);
• Prior experience in a customer facing role
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to interact and manage a range of stakeholders both internally and externally
• Flexibility to move between brand /  TA based on business need

Desirable

• Advanced scientific degree
• Thorough knowledge or experience of the pharmaceutical industry
• Knowledge of legislation relevant to pharmaceutical sales, marketing and MA Code
• Project and team management experience

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

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.