OPT Medical Science Liaison Jobs
Medical Science Liaison jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with advanced degrees in life sciences, pharmacy, or medicine. Most roles require a PharmD, MD, or PhD, which aligns well with STEM OPT extension eligibility and gives you up to three years of authorized work experience to build toward H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Medical Science Liaison, CNS
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. customer engagement approach is designed to better deliver on patient, caregiver and HCP needs in an evolving healthcare environment. This model is built around where patients get their care—locally, with the intent to better serve patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, delivering a higher quality experience that ultimately is focused on improving patient care.
The local “ecosystem approach” creates a unified focus among account management, medical, patient access, marketing and market access to engage local healthcare systems and identify opportunities to improve the patient experience. Through this matrix model, customers will now experience more coordinated and seamless care with digital-enabled support to help bridge care gaps.
Position Overview – Medical Science Liaison (Sr Manager)
As an integral member of the ecosystem team for Otsuka’s ecosystem-based customer engagement model, the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) contributes to the development of the ecosystem strategic business plan and identifies key stakeholders that are vital to the ecosystem.
The MSL is a credible partner responsible for providing clinical, scientific and health economic information related to CNS disease states and the appropriate utilization of approved Otsuka products within an ecosystem. This field-based position will engage with Key Influencers (KIs), Local Practice Leaders (LPLs), healthcare providers, and patients’ groups within their ecosystem, to further patient outcomes aligned with the overarching objectives of Otsuka. In collaboration with their ecosystem partners, MSLs contribute to the customization of the region business strategy to meet local ecosystem needs and are responsible for the medical and educational requirements of their customers. In addition, MSLs may be responsible for covering multiple products within the CNS therapeutic area, as well as engaging in broad clinical and scientific discussions that impact patient care, resulting in rich customer insights shared within the ecosystem.
Key Activities and Responsibilities
- As part of the ecosystem team, contributes a clinical and scientific perspective to the local execution plan that addresses customer challenges, issues, and opportunities, to bring about improved patient care and outcomes. This extends to include coordination around execution of field activities.
- Build, cultivate, and leverage external relationships with key scientific and medical customers and organizations within their territory to ensure strong understanding of evolving healthcare trends, disease state, Otsuka products, systems, and services across the ecosystem landscape, including KIs, LPLs, Key Decision Makers (KDMs) and Patient Advocacy. Delivers on business objectives that go beyond their territory and impacts the Medical Affairs organization.
- Develops and maintains a deep and comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem to ensure alignment with Otsuka’s patient-centric strategy and priorities, including provision and delivery of optimal patient care.
- To be a credible source of evidence-based information that demonstrates the value of Otsuka and its products from the clinical, economic, and humanistic standpoint and works in partnership with providers, and other key stakeholders to apply practical real-world solutions to improve patient outcomes. Engages stakeholders at the local level that has some influence across the region.
- Build and cultivate important internal working relationships across the matrix team to ensure an enterprise approach when working with customers. Be accountable to regional Field Medical leadership to shape and execute on local medical strategies within planned timelines.
- Disseminate disease state and healthcare landscape information to customers in the field as defined by priorities.
- Responsible for clinical and data focused training of promotional and disease state speakers.
- May serve as part of Otsuka’s speaker bureau in support of product educational needs across the territory.
- Collect and submit medical insights that drive decision making and prioritization of evidence generation efforts and healthcare solutions, including sharing at the local ecosystem level.
- Assist with Otsuka’s clinical trials program, including registrational, post-marketing and Investigator-Sponsored Trials (ISTs), health economic outcomes research, other specific medical collaborations; provide clinical expertise and feedback regarding operational management of clinical trials to ensure optimal site selection and performance.
- Participates as mentor in peer functional and therapeutic development including new hires.
- Support other areas of the organization including Safety & Pharmacovigilance for investigation of safety-related issues, Sales Training medical education on an ongoing basis including new hire and POAs, and the Field Medical Center of Excellence for mentoring and sharing of best practices.
Qualifications
- MD/DO, PharmD or PhD in life sciences required.
- Understanding of the interconnectivity of health systems, overall delivery of patient care, and experience working with healthcare professionals and other decision makers.
- Minimum 2 years relevant experience in pharmaceutical industry Medical Affairs. Previous training or experience in CNS disease is preferred.
- Strong business acumen; knows the industry, Otsuka's business model and value proposition, key competitors, and other marketplace factors/dynamics. Able to identify solutions with the overall goal of improved patient outcomes.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills; exhibits professional maturity, confidence, and competence. Strong conflict resolution skills: proven ability to achieve conflict resolution effectively and quickly with affected parties and work in a cross-functional environment.
- Ability to lead others and project teams strategically.
- Knows how to summarize and communicate complex information and business objectives in a concise and effective way during presentations and other interactions.
- Strong understanding of industry legal, regulatory, and compliance landscape.
- Ability to work in an ambiguous environment undergoing transformation.
- Demonstrates behaviors aligned with the Otsuka Corporate Brand including Perseverance, Unconventional Thinking, and Humility.
- Business travel, by air or car, up to 70% of time depending upon size of territory.
- Preferred living location is key city in territory.
Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.
Minimum $150,034.00 - Maximum $224,250.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.
Company benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.
Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://ah-prod.com/multi/videoplayer/player.html?v=6385356920112.
Join Our Talent Community: Stay connected with Otsuka by joining our Talent Community. Tell us about your interests, and we’ll notify you about future opportunities that align with your background. https://community.hireez.com/cielo-otsuka/82cb3591.
Disclaimer:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting EEAccommodations@otsuka-us.com.
Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams
At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.
Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.
Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.
To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.
Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov, or your local authorities.
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Medical Science Liaison
Target employers with established OPT sponsorship records
Large pharmaceutical and biotech companies like Pfizer, Genentech, and AstraZeneca have dedicated immigration teams and sponsor MSLs regularly. Smaller CROs and specialty pharma firms may lack the infrastructure to process OPT or H-1B visa paperwork efficiently.
Lead with your therapeutic area expertise
MSL hiring managers prioritize deep scientific knowledge over immigration status. Framing your PhD research or clinical rotations around a specific therapeutic area, such as oncology or neurology, makes you a scientific asset first and an OPT candidate second.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Life sciences, pharmacology, and biomedical engineering degrees typically appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO early, since STEM OPT gives you 24 additional months beyond your initial 12-month authorization.
Address the travel requirement proactively
MSL roles often require 50 to 70 percent travel within a territory. On OPT, international travel requires a valid visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. Clarify your travel availability honestly, and plan visa renewals around expected conference and territory schedules.
Network at medical and scientific conferences
MSL managers attend disease-state symposia and medical society meetings to scout candidates with field-relevant expertise. Presenting a poster, attending a satellite session, or joining an MSL-focused professional association builds visibility with hiring teams outside formal job applications.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
MSL interview cycles typically run eight to twelve weeks, including multiple rounds and a scientific presentation. Starting your search three to four months before your OPT begins ensures you have an offer and start date aligned with your authorized employment window.
Medical Science Liaison OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Medical Science Liaison on F-1 OPT?
Yes. MSL roles qualify for F-1 OPT because they are directly related to life sciences, pharmacology, or clinical medicine degree programs. Your employment must fall within your field of study, so a PharmD or PhD in a relevant discipline supports authorization. If your degree is STEM-designated, you may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months.
Do MSL roles typically lead to H-1B visa sponsorship?
Many large pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies sponsor H-1B visas for MSLs because the role requires a highly specialized scientific degree and qualifies as a specialty occupation. Smaller regional employers are less consistent about sponsoring. When browsing MSL openings on Migrate Mate, you can filter specifically for employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B candidates, which removes the guesswork from your search.
Does an MSL role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If you hold a degree in a STEM-designated field such as pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering, or biochemistry, and your MSL role falls within that field, you likely qualify. Verify your program's CIP code on the official STEM Designated Degree Program List with your DSO before applying for the extension through your school.
What documentation does an employer need to hire me as an MSL on OPT?
Your employer will need your EAD card showing work authorization dates, your I-20 with the OPT authorization page, and your passport. For STEM OPT, they must also enroll in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan. MSL employers at established pharma companies are generally familiar with this process, but it's worth confirming their E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer.
How much territory travel affects my OPT status?
Domestic travel within your MSL territory has no impact on your OPT status. International travel requires a valid F-1 visa stamp and a signed I-20 from your DSO to re-enter the United States. If your visa stamp expires while you are on OPT, you must renew it at a U.S. consulate abroad before returning, which can affect territory coverage and conference schedules.