Medical Science Liaison, Obesity

Description

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) will serve as a field-based scientific resource and trusted peer to the obesity medicine community as Viking advances its programs through late-stage clinical development. The MSL will build credible relationships with leading experts, clinical investigators, and healthcare professionals, contribute to the execution of Viking's clinical trials, and bring field insights back to inform medical strategy and evidence generation. The ideal candidate combines a strong scientific foundation in obesity and metabolic disease with field medical experience and a genuine commitment to improving patient outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of this role include:

- Develop and execute a territory plan for engagement with key opinion leaders, clinical investigators, centers of excellence, health systems, and professional societies across the cardiometabolic spectrum.
- Establish and maintain peer-to-peer relationships with external experts and healthcare professionals, including those at community practices and integrated delivery networks.
- Deliver scientifically balanced, evidence-based presentations.
- Respond to unsolicited medical information requests accurately and in compliance with company policy and applicable regulations.
- Identify the educational needs of healthcare professionals and address them with fair, balanced, and tailored scientific content.
- Support clinical trial site identification, feasibility assessment, and investigator engagement for Viking-sponsored studies conducted through external CROs.
- Provide scientific support to active and prospective trial sites and facilitate communication between investigators and Clinical Operations
- Gather and synthesize field insights on clinical practice patterns, treatment paradigms, unmet needs, and the competitive landscape in obesity management.
- Identify evidence gaps and contribute to medical strategy and publication planning.
- Collaborating with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Medical Information, and other cross-functional partners so that field insights inform strategic planning.
- Serve as a scientific resource at medical congresses, advisory boards, roundtables, and investigator meetings.
- Support the identification and development of external experts and contribute to speaker training as requested.
- Participate in project teams that support MSL strategy, training, and operations, and contribute to field medical metrics, dashboards, and SOPs.
- Document all field interactions and insights accurately and promptly in the assigned CRM or system and complete all required training and administrative tasks on time.
- Remain current on emerging literature, treatment guidelines, and the competitive landscape.
- Ensure all activities adhere to applicable laws, regulations, industry codes, and Viking policies.
- Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience

- Advanced doctoral degree in life or clinical sciences (Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.D., D.O., or equivalent). Nurse practitioner or physician assistant degrees will be considered.
- At least 3 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, a health system, or a related clinical research setting. Prior MSL experience is strongly preferred.
- Deep scientific knowledge of obesity, endocrinology, metabolism, or a related therapeutic area
- Established relationships within the obesity and cardiometabolic medical community preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

- Strong understanding of obesity and cardiometabolic disease, including treatment approaches, emerging therapies, and relevant scientific literature.
- Ability to critically evaluate clinical data and communicate complex scientific information clearly to diverse healthcare audiences.
- Excellent scientific presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish credible peer-to-peer relationships with external experts and healthcare professionals.
- Knowledge of clinical trial processes, including site identification, feasibility assessment, and investigator engagement.
- Understanding compliance requirements governing scientific exchange, medical information responses, and field medical activities.
- Ability to gather and synthesize field insights, identify evidence gaps, and communicate findings to inform medical strategy.
- Strong territory planning, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory, and other cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency in CRM systems and accurate, timely documentation of field interactions and insights.
- A valid driver's license
- Travel requirement 50-75% is required, primarily within the assigned territory, by car and air.

VIKING THERAPEUTICS

Viking Therapeutics, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Viking Therapeutics also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Viking employee by a third-party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, and assignment of specific position, will become the sole property of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral.

Salary Description

$180,000.00 - $210,000.00 annual salary. Salary will be determined based on geographic location and level of experience.