In Brazil’s evolving pharmaceutical landscape, the role of the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) has grown from a medical information channel into a key scientific partner embedded within strategic decision-making. As treatments become more scientifically complex and regulatory environments more challenging, MSLs increasingly serve as interpreters of science and stakeholders in shaping value narratives, not just messengers of data.
Despite this shift, many MSLs encounter a familiar challenge: navigating their next professional step. Career development in Medical Affairs often lacks clear paths, especially in markets like Brazil, where formal frameworks are still maturing. This article examines real-world career trajectories of MSLs in Brazil, identifies common transitions, and outlines practical directions to help individuals and organizations design more intentional development strategies.
Methodology
We conducted a retrospective review of LinkedIn profiles to analyze career movements among professionals whose first documented pharmaceutical role was as an MSL between 2018 and 2022. A total of 313 first-degree contacts with “MSL” listed in their work history were examined. For each profile, we recorded the entry year into the MSL role, the length of duration in the role, and the first position assumed after leaving the MSL function (if applicable).
While LinkedIn data provides a practical window into career movement, it is limited by self-reporting and visibility bias. The analysis does not capture internal organizational nuances, informal roles, or motivations driving each move. It offers a useful snapshot of observable patterns in a competitive Brazilian pharmaceutical sector.
Results
Among the 313 profiles reviewed, 65% remained in MSL roles as of 2022, 27% transitioned to new positions, and 8% had profiles listing MSL as a future aspiration of the MSL title without documented experience. Most professionals began their MSL careers between 2013 and 2016, and stayed in the role for two to four years, a potential period often used to consolidate scientific expertise, build rapport with key opinion leaders, and acquire organizational fluency across functions (Figure 1).
Three main career patterns emerged from our analysis:
- Vertical progression within Medical Affairs, particularly into Medical Manager roles, was the most frequent path. This trajectory favored professionals with strong clinical backgrounds and a focus on evidence generation or medical governance.
- Lateral movement was also common, with many MSLs transitioning into areas like Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, Compliance, or Medical Education. These shifts indicate that the core competencies of the MSL, scientific credibility, strategic communication, and systems thinking are valued across different domains.
- Cross-functional moves into commercial roles were less frequent but notable. Some MSLs pivoted to Marketing, Product Management, or Business Development, suggesting that organizations are beginning to recognize the broader strategic potential of scientifically trained professionals.
These patterns reinforce the idea that while the MSL role is grounded in science, it builds a versatile foundation for broader career growth (Figure 2).
Discussion
The data suggests that the MSL role in Brazil functions less as a static job and more as a developmental launchpad. However, this flexibility comes at a cost: many career moves appear ad hoc, driven by individual initiative or informal mentorship rather than structured pathways.
Organizations that treat the MSL role solely as a terminal position risk underutilizing talent and losing professionals who seek broader impact. The absence of formal career development programs can lead to misalignment between individual aspirations and organizational talent strategies.
To address this, companies should reframe the MSL function not only as a field-based medical role but as a developmental platform for future talents. The competencies developed in the role, scientific fluency, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration mirror the demands of leadership positions across the healthcare industry.
Three developmental tracks can be formalized:
- Vertical: for those who aim to remain within Medical Affairs.
- Lateral: for those exploring roles in Access, Regulatory, or Compliance.
- Hybrid: for professionals who combine scientific depth with commercial acumen and can grow into cross-functional leadership roles.
The key is intentionality. With structured mentorship, exposure to different business units, and strategic career planning, MSLs can transition into roles that match their evolving skillsets, and organizations can build stronger internal pipelines in the process.
Conclusion
In Brazil, as elsewhere, the MSL role is no longer just a stepping stone between academia and industry; it is a springboard for leadership in regulated healthcare environments for long-term impact. By understanding how MSLs move across the professional landscape, companies can do more than just retain talent; they can cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders who are capable of navigating regulatory, commercial, and clinical complexity with equal fluency.
Investing in MSL development is not only a retention strategy, it’s a leadership strategy.
Figure 1: Career Mapping: Trends in the Number of MSLs and Career Transitions (2005–2020). The horizontal axis (X-axis) of the figure represents the years, spanning from 2000 to 2025, with a focus on the period between 2005 and 2020. This timeline illustrates the evolution of career trends over time. The vertical axis (Y-axis) indicates the number of individuals, ranging from 0 to 18, involved in each category. The blue line tracks the number of people working as Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), while the orange line shows the number of individuals who experienced a job change. Together, these axes provide a visual representation of how MSL roles and career transitions have developed over the years.
Figure 2: The MSL Career Pathways. This treemap presents a visual breakdown of roles grouped by functional areas within the Medical Affairs department. It illustrates how professionals with an MSL background have transitioned into various functions such as Medical Affairs, Support, Access, Clinical Trials, Commercial, and Marketing. Each color-coded section highlights the diversity of career destinations and reflects the shifting career paths of MSLs across strategic and operational domains.
Disclaimer: The analysis was conducted entirely independently and is not related to my current responsibilities at the company where I work. The opinions expressed are my own and do not represent those of my employer.
About the author:
Helio Miranda Costa Junior, PhD
Helio is a scientist, educator, and corporate learning specialist with over 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including extensive work in oncology, antibiotics, and market access. Currently, he serves as Learning and Development Manager at MSD Brasil, where he leads cross-functional learning initiatives that integrate neuroscience, agile methodologies, and active education.
He holds a Master’s in Biophysics and a PhD in Biological Sciences, with academic specializations in Immunology, Biochemistry, and Cell Biology. He also holds certifications in Corporate Education, Design Thinking, and Scrum. Prior to his current role, Helio worked as a Medical Science Liaison at MSD and Janssen, promoting scientific exchange and supporting clinical development in oncology. His academic background includes over five years of teaching at Brazilian universities, where he lectured on Biophysics, Immunology, and Research Methodology.
Helio’s mission is to foster continuous learning and innovation in healthcare by empowering people to become their best selves. He brings a multidimensional approach to training, bridging science, communication, and behavioral transformation in a regulated, knowledge-driven industry.
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