Medical Science Liaison Jobs for OPT Students
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 sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
LI-Remote-Nashville (KY/TN/WV)
Location: Remote-
This position focuses on disease states (e.g. prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, & etc.) being treated by Novartis’ Radioligand Therapies.
The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role is a field based, customer-facing, non-promotional medical and scientific position. The MSL’s key objective is to create impact through advancing clinical practice within the assigned territory that leads to improved patient outcomes. The MSL must demonstrate deep therapeutic expertise, understand territory and market influences, engage scientifically with Healthcare Providers (HCPs) and medical experts, manage, and develop their territory and execute all relevant activities in alignment with the medical strategic and tactical plan – while functioning within the Novartis Code of Conduct, Ethics/Compliance policies and Working Practice documents. The MSL will inform and shape medical strategy through application of a curious mindset to collect impactful and actionable insights, understanding the potential strategic impact of critical insights.
This territory will be responsible for covering KY, TN, and WV. The preferable location for the successful candidate to reside would be in greater Nashville, TN area. Must live within 50 miles of the border of this territory to be considered. Relocation is not available.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Role Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- The MSL will leverage scientific expertise and market knowledge to establish and build professional relationships and engage with HCPs (including community physicians, pharmacists, medical experts, nurses, and other healthcare professionals) and other thought leaders in geographical area as aligned with medical strategy.
- The primary responsibility of the MSL is to engage with customers - customer engagements may include but are not limited to: emerging data discussions, clinical trial activities, uncovering barriers in patient journey, understanding market dynamics within their territory, exploration of areas of unmet medical need, pipeline discussions, educating on disease state and product, capturing adverse events, and capturing medical insights through all stages of product lifecycle.
- Must demonstrate strategic territory vision and ensure appropriate territory identification, mapping, and planning of Medical Engagements (MEs) and Key Accounts as aligned to medical strategy and in collaboration with internal Novartis colleagues. This includes:
a. identification of key stakeholders with influence on the patient journey and in the disease space throughout the product development lifecycle to establish strategies for education, engagement, and partnership
b. identification of opportunities for partnership with academic centers, centers of excellence, and/or systems of care to drive impact within the assigned territory
c. identification of opportunities to involve HCPs or MEs when a specific medical need is identified (e.g., publications, clinical trial participation, etc.)
d. identification of opportunities for internal collaboration with other Novartis stakeholders to drive forward therapeutic area, clinical, or product goals as appropriate - Provide clinical trial support for company sponsored trials facilitating relevant medical activities and working cross-functionally with Medical Affairs and Clinical Operations colleagues.
- Regularly and effectively collaborates with internal colleagues (e.g., HEOR, access, marketing, commercial, sales) within the assigned therapeutic area and territory to advance clinical practice while maintaining customer centricity and a One Novartis approach in accordance with Novartis compliance standards.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of assigned therapeutic area and Novartis compounds to serve as a medical resource to customers and internal colleagues (in accordance with Working Practice Documents).
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of internal policies and external regulations (e.g., field medical Working Practice Document (WPD), travel policy, expense policy, state and local laws, institutional policies) and how they affect day-to-day responsibilities.
- Execute all administrative responsibilities and training (e.g., Veeva CRM, voicemail, e-mail, expense reports, compliance modules, etc.) in a timely manner, including profiling of core customers and ensuring up-to-date information in the CRM.
- Champion emerging responsibilities as strategic priorities and territory needs evolve.
- Proactively drive personal and professional development.
ABOUT THE ROLE
MSL, Manager - level:
Education: Graduate degree in science or healthcare required; doctoral degree preferred (MD, PhD or PharmD)
Experience:
- 0-3 years of experience in a Field Medical position within the pharmaceutical industry or as an MSL is required OR
- 3-5 years of relevant medical affairs, clinical research, or related experience in a scientific or clinical setting preferred. Previous experience in assigned or related therapeutic area is preferred.
- Strong clinical knowledge including pharmacotherapy, treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, medical expert engagement strategies, and FDA promotional guidelines, regulations, and ethical guidelines applied to the pharmaceutical industry is required.
MSL, Associate Director - level:
Education: Graduate degree in science or healthcare required; doctoral degree preferred (MD, PhD or PharmD)
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a Field Medical-based position within the pharmaceutical industry or as an MSL is preferred OR
- 5-7 years of relevant medical affairs, clinical research, or related experience in a scientific or clinical setting required. Previous experience in assigned or related therapeutic area is preferred.
- Strong clinical knowledge including pharmacotherapy, treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, medical expert engagement strategies, and FDA promotional guidelines, regulations, and ethical guidelines applied to the pharmaceutical industry is required.
TRAVEL:
- Field based, customer-facing position majority of the time with approximately 60-70% travel required to achieve performance and business objectives (face to face, virtual, email, telephone, etc.). Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Field-Based (Region: covering KY, TN and WV). Candidate must reside within territory, or within a reasonable daily commuting distance of 50 miles from territory border.
- The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager.
NOTE: Above level experience criteria are not an exhaustive list
Field roles with a dedicated training period only:
The individual hired for this role will be required to successfully complete certain initial training, including home study, in eight (8) or fewer hours per day and forty (40) or fewer hours per week.
Field roles with a company car: Driving is an essential function of this role, meaning it is fundamental to the purpose of this job and cannot be eliminated. Because driving is an essential function of the role, you must have a fully valid and unrestricted driver’s license to be qualified for this role. The company provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified individuals with medical restrictions, if an accommodation can be provided without eliminating the essential function of driving.
COMPENSATION
The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between; for Manager: $145,600 - $270,400 and for AD: $160,300 - $297,700 year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
Why Novartis: Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions.
To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
EEO STATEMENT:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
ACCESSIBILITY & REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Division
US
Business Unit
Marketing
Location
USA
State
Tennessee
Site
Nashville (Tennessee)
Company / Legal Entity
U014 (FCRS = US014) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Functional Area
Research & Development
Job Type
Full time
Employment Type
Regular
Shift Work
No
SUMMARY
LI-Remote-Nashville (KY/TN/WV)
Location: Remote-
This position focuses on disease states (e.g. prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, & etc.) being treated by Novartis’ Radioligand Therapies.
The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role is a field based, customer-facing, non-promotional medical and scientific position. The MSL’s key objective is to create impact through advancing clinical practice within the assigned territory that leads to improved patient outcomes. The MSL must demonstrate deep therapeutic expertise, understand territory and market influences, engage scientifically with Healthcare Providers (HCPs) and medical experts, manage, and develop their territory and execute all relevant activities in alignment with the medical strategic and tactical plan – while functioning within the Novartis Code of Conduct, Ethics/Compliance policies and Working Practice documents. The MSL will inform and shape medical strategy through application of a curious mindset to collect impactful and actionable insights, understanding the potential strategic impact of critical insights.
This territory will be responsible for covering KY, TN, and WV. The preferable location for the successful candidate to reside would be in greater Nashville, TN area. Must live within 50 miles of the border of this territory to be considered. Relocation is not available.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Role Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- The MSL will leverage scientific expertise and market knowledge to establish and build professional relationships and engage with HCPs (including community physicians, pharmacists, medical experts, nurses, and other healthcare professionals) and other thought leaders in geographical area as aligned with medical strategy.
- The primary responsibility of the MSL is to engage with customers - customer engagements may include but are not limited to: emerging data discussions, clinical trial activities, uncovering barriers in patient journey, understanding market dynamics within their territory, exploration of areas of unmet medical need, pipeline discussions, educating on disease state and product, capturing adverse events, and capturing medical insights through all stages of product lifecycle.
- Must demonstrate strategic territory vision and ensure appropriate territory identification, mapping, and planning of Medical Engagements (MEs) and Key Accounts as aligned to medical strategy and in collaboration with internal Novartis colleagues. This includes:
a. identification of key stakeholders with influence on the patient journey and in the disease space throughout the product development lifecycle to establish strategies for education, engagement, and partnership
b. identification of opportunities for partnership with academic centers, centers of excellence, and/or systems of care to drive impact within the assigned territory
c. identification of opportunities to involve HCPs or MEs when a specific medical need is identified (e.g., publications, clinical trial participation, etc.)
d. identification of opportunities for internal collaboration with other Novartis stakeholders to drive forward therapeutic area, clinical, or product goals as appropriate - Provide clinical trial support for company sponsored trials facilitating relevant medical activities and working cross-functionally with Medical Affairs and Clinical Operations colleagues.
- Regularly and effectively collaborates with internal colleagues (e.g., HEOR, access, marketing, commercial, sales) within the assigned therapeutic area and territory to advance clinical practice while maintaining customer centricity and a One Novartis approach in accordance with Novartis compliance standards.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of assigned therapeutic area and Novartis compounds to serve as a medical resource to customers and internal colleagues (in accordance with Working Practice Documents).
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of internal policies and external regulations (e.g., field medical Working Practice Document (WPD), travel policy, expense policy, state and local laws, institutional policies) and how they affect day-to-day responsibilities.
- Execute all administrative responsibilities and training (e.g., Veeva CRM, voicemail, e-mail, expense reports, compliance modules, etc.) in a timely manner, including profiling of core customers and ensuring up-to-date information in the CRM.
- Champion emerging responsibilities as strategic priorities and territory needs evolve.
- Proactively drive personal and professional development.
ABOUT THE ROLE
MSL, Manager - level:
Education: Graduate degree in science or healthcare required; doctoral degree preferred (MD, PhD or PharmD)
Experience:
- 0-3 years of experience in a Field Medical position within the pharmaceutical industry or as an MSL is required OR
- 3-5 years of relevant medical affairs, clinical research, or related experience in a scientific or clinical setting preferred. Previous experience in assigned or related therapeutic area is preferred.
- Strong clinical knowledge including pharmacotherapy, treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, medical expert engagement strategies, and FDA promotional guidelines, regulations, and ethical guidelines applied to the pharmaceutical industry is required.
MSL, Associate Director - level:
Education: Graduate degree in science or healthcare required; doctoral degree preferred (MD, PhD or PharmD)
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a Field Medical-based position within the pharmaceutical industry or as an MSL is preferred OR
- 5-7 years of relevant medical affairs, clinical research, or related experience in a scientific or clinical setting required. Previous experience in assigned or related therapeutic area is preferred.
- Strong clinical knowledge including pharmacotherapy, treatment guidelines, clinical research processes, medical expert engagement strategies, and FDA promotional guidelines, regulations, and ethical guidelines applied to the pharmaceutical industry is required.
TRAVEL:
- Field based, customer-facing position majority of the time with approximately 60-70% travel required to achieve performance and business objectives (face to face, virtual, email, telephone, etc.). Must have a valid driver’s license.
- Field-Based (Region: covering KY, TN and WV). Candidate must reside within territory, or within a reasonable daily commuting distance of 50 miles from territory border.
- The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager.
NOTE: Above level experience criteria are not an exhaustive list
Field roles with a dedicated training period only:
The individual hired for this role will be required to successfully complete certain initial training, including home study, in eight (8) or fewer hours per day and forty (40) or fewer hours per week.
Field roles with a company car: Driving is an essential function of this role, meaning it is fundamental to the purpose of this job and cannot be eliminated. Because driving is an essential function of the role, you must have a fully valid and unrestricted driver’s license to be qualified for this role. The company provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified individuals with medical restrictions, if an accommodation can be provided without eliminating the essential function of driving.
COMPENSATION
The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between; for Manager: $145,600 - $270,400 and for AD: $160,300 - $297,700 year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
Why Novartis: Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions.
To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
EEO STATEMENT:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
ACCESSIBILITY & REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Division
US
Business Unit
Marketing
Location
USA
State
Tennessee
Site
Nashville (Tennessee)
Company / Legal Entity
U014 (FCRS = US014) Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Functional Area
Research & Development
Job Type
Full time
Employment Type
Regular
Shift Work
No
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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