The Bottom Line
- MSL = field-facing scientific engagement (KOLs, insights); Medical Advisor = internal governance + strategy + materials review.
- Your clinical advantage is decision-making under uncertainty + stakeholder handling — but you must translate it into corporate language.
- Your fastest route is targeted networking + evidence of “medical affairs thinking” (insights, compliance, materials).
- Build a portfolio: 1-page “therapy area brief”, mock insights report, and a rewritten CV that matches MA/MSL keywords.
Definitions that stop you sounding junior in interviews
Medical Science Liaison (MSL): typically field-based, building and maintaining relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and communicating scientific data externally. Medical Advisor: typically more office-based, overseeing internal medical governance, supporting strategy, training, and review/approval of medical and promotional materials.
Your interview positioning line
“I’m clinically trained to make high-stakes decisions with imperfect information, and I’m now applying that judgement to scientific engagement, evidence interpretation, and governance in medical affairs.”