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Medical Science Liaison Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Operations Liaison

Springfield, VA · On-site

$145K - $166K/yr

... Medical Science, Meteorology, Nuclear Engineering, Oceanography, Orbital Mechanics, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Political Science, Quantum Engineering, Quantum Physics, Thermodynamics ...

... Medical Science, Meteorology, Nuclear Engineering, Oceanography, Orbital Mechanics, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Political Science, Quantum Engineering, Quantum Physics, Thermodynamics ...

Legislative Affairs Liaison

VA · On-site

$98K - $128K/yr

Bachelor's degree or higher in public administration, public policy, political science, law ... Optional Group Medical and Dental Health Plans * Optional Group Life Insurance * An Employee ...

Showing results 41-60

Medical Science Liaison information

See Reston, VA salary details

$20

$77

$120

How much do medical science liaison jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical science liaison in Reston, VA is $77.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.25 and $106.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Medical Science Liaison vs Medical Advisor?

AspectMedical Science LiaisonMedical Advisor
CredentialsTypically requires a PhD, PharmD, or MDUsually holds a PhD, PharmD, or MD
Work EnvironmentField-based, engaging with healthcare professionalsOffice-based, providing strategic medical guidance
Employer & IndustryPharmaceutical and biotech companiesPharmaceutical companies, often in medical affairs
Primary FocusScientific exchange and education with healthcare providersMedical strategy, compliance, and medical information review

The Medical Science Liaison and Medical Advisor roles share similar credentials and industry settings. MSLs focus on scientific communication and relationship-building with healthcare professionals, while Medical Advisors concentrate on medical strategy and compliance within the company. Both roles are vital in medical affairs but serve different functions in the drug development and commercialization process.

How does a medical science liaison typically interact with healthcare professionals and internal teams?

Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) regularly engage with key opinion leaders, physicians, and researchers to share scientific information and gather insights on clinical practices. They serve as a crucial bridge between pharmaceutical companies and the medical community, often collaborating with internal colleagues in medical affairs, marketing, and clinical development. MSLs must balance external scientific exchange with internal strategy meetings and training sessions, making strong communication and relationship-building skills essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medical science liaison, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medical Science Liaison, you need an advanced degree in life sciences (such as PharmD, PhD, or MD), a deep understanding of clinical research, and strong scientific expertise in relevant therapeutic areas. Familiarity with CRM systems, data analysis tools, and knowledge of regulatory compliance are typically required, along with certifications like MSL Society's Board Certification. Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills set outstanding MSLs apart. These competencies are vital for effectively bridging scientific information between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals, fostering trust and advancing clinical outcomes.

Is it hard to get a Medical Science Liaison job?

Securing a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) position can be competitive due to the specialized knowledge and experience required, such as a background in life sciences and strong communication skills. Candidates often need advanced degrees like a PhD or PharmD, relevant industry experience, and networking to improve their chances of obtaining an MSL role.

What qualifications do you need to be a Medical Science Liaison?

A Medical Science Liaison typically requires a doctoral degree such as a PhD, PharmD, or MD, along with strong scientific knowledge and communication skills. Relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry and familiarity with medical terminology and regulatory guidelines are also important. Often, certifications or advanced training in clinical research or medical affairs can enhance qualifications.

What is a medical science liaison?

A Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a specialized professional who acts as a bridge between pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device companies and the medical community. MSLs provide scientific and clinical information to healthcare professionals, support clinical research, and gather insights from the field to inform product development and strategy. They are typically experts in a specific therapeutic area and help ensure that products are used safely and effectively. Their role is non-promotional, focusing on education and scientific exchange rather than sales.
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Infographic showing various Medical Science Liaison job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,875 per year, or $77.3 per hour.

Thought Leader Liaison, Neuroscience Franchise, Capitol Region

Jj

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

At Johnson & Johnson,we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build aworld where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured,where treatments are smarter and less invasive, andsolutions are personal.Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Medical Affairs Group

Job Sub Function:

Professional Medical Education

Job Category:

Professional

All Job Posting Locations:

Arlington, Virginia, United States, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, Delaware (Any City), Maryland (Any City), Richmond, Virginia, United States of America, Virginia (Any City), Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America, West Virginia (Any City)

Job Description:

Johnson & Johnson is currently recruiting for a Thought Leader Liaison (TLL), Neuroscience Franchise to support the Capitol Region. This is a field-based position with significant travel to customers in an assigned geography.

This is a field based role available in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, and West Virginia, with preference for the candidate to be in a major metropolitan market with easy access to a national airport. While specific cities are listed in the Locations section for reference, please note that they are examples only and do not limit your application. We invite candidates from any location to apply.

About Neuroscience

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Our Neuroscience team tackles the world's toughest brain health challenges including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. This patient-focused team helps address some of the most complex diseases of our time.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

Role Summary

The Thought Leader Liaison (TLL) is responsible for executing CAPLYTA Key Opinion Leader (KOL) engagement plans and peer-to-peer strategies within an assigned geography, ensuring high-quality, compliant delivery of customer engagement activities.

This role is accountable for building strong relationships with academic and community KOLs, executing educational and engagement programs, and capturing meaningful field insights that inform continuous improvement of Brand initiatives.

The TLL operates as a field-based execution partner, translating Brand priorities into effective customer engagement, ensuring consistent delivery of programs, and maintaining a strong understanding of local market dynamics. This role contributes to overall brand performance through disciplined execution, customer-centric engagement, and insight generation, while operating in close alignment with cross-functional partners across Marketing, Medical, and Sales.

Key Responsibilities
  • Execute KOL engagement plans, peer-to-peer education programs, and faculty development activities within assigned geography, ensuring alignment with Brand priorities and compliance standards

  • Build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with academic and community KOLs, establishing credibility as a valued partner and resource

  • Deliver high-quality, compliant speaker programs and customer engagements, ensuring consistency of messaging and execution

  • Support the planning and execution of advisory boards, congress activities, and product theater events, ensuring seamless delivery and strong engagement

  • Participate in and support key customer interactions and executive engagements, ensuring alignment with broader Brand objectives

  • Capture, document, and communicate field insights, customer feedback, and market observations in a structured and actionable manner

  • Apply insights and available analytics to refine execution approaches and improve engagement effectiveness over time

  • Coordinate with Brand Marketing, Medical Affairs, Sales Leadership, and other cross-functional partners to ensure aligned execution of engagement strategies

  • Maintain strong understanding of local market dynamics, treatment patterns, and competitive landscape to inform daily execution

  • Ensure strict adherence to legal, regulatory, and compliance standards, including speaker program requirements, customer engagement guidelines, and internal processes

Key Competencies
  • Execution Excellence: Demonstrates the ability to consistently deliver high-quality, compliant customer engagement and program execution

  • Customer Engagement & Relationship Building: Establishes credibility and trust with KOLs, building strong, enduring professional relationships

  • Collaboration: Effectively works within a matrixed organization, aligning with cross-functional partners to drive coordinated execution

  • Learning Agility: Continuously applies feedback and insights to refine approach and improve performance

  • Accountability & Ownership: Takes responsibility for delivering results within assigned geography and programs

  • Business Acumen: Understands key drivers of brand performance and applies that knowledge to improve field execution

Qualifications / Requirements

Required:

  • A minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required. MBA or advanced degree is helpful.

  • Minimum 5-7 years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotech experience, including sales, marketing, medical, market access, or other field-based roles

  • Demonstrated experience executing field-based programs and engaging HCPs/KOLs in a compliant and customer-focused manner

  • Proven ability to deliver consistent, high-quality customer engagement and program execution within an assigned geography

  • Strong understanding of working within a matrixed organization, with ability to execute against established plans and priorities

  • Excellent communication skills, with demonstrated ability to capture, synthesize at a basic level, and communicate customer insights clearly and effectively

  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and execute with discipline in a dynamic field environment

  • A valid Driver's license issued in the United States.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a role outside of direct sales highly preferred, including marketing, medical affairs, training, market access, analytics, or other cross-functional roles

  • Neuroscience, psychiatry, or CNS therapeutic area experience

  • Experience supporting or executing peer-to-peer education programs, advisory boards, or medical education initiatives

  • Prior experience in a field-based role with direct HCP/KOL engagement

  • Demonstrated ability to apply learnings and feedback to continuously improve execution and customer engagement approaches

  • Demonstrated commitment to learning emerging technologies, such as AI, through exploration, iteration, and applying new tools over time

This is a field-based role requiring significant travel (~60-65%), including customer meetings, advisory boards, congresses, and internal meetings. Final geography will be determined based on business needs and candidate location

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants' needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers , internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Brand Marketing, Channel Partner Enablement, Coaching, Digital Strategy, Global Market, Learning Materials Development, Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, Organizing, Process Improvements, Program Management, Sales Enablement, Sales Presentations, Strategic Sales Planning, Strategic Thinking, Technical Credibility, Training People

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$117,000.00 - $201,250.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company's consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
Vacation -120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado -48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington -56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays -13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave - 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Bereavement Leave - 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
Caregiver Leave - 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
Volunteer Leave - 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off - 80 hours per calendar year
For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits