[Hiring] Medical Science Liaison @Personalis

Role Description

As a member of the Medical Affairs team, the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) – Oncology serves as a field-based scientific expert who engages clinicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals to support Personalis’ oncology genomics portfolio. This role has a primary focus on NeXT Personal®, an ultra-sensitive, tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay designed for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection, while also providing broader scientific support across our product line. The MSL acts as a bridge between Personalis and the healthcare community, facilitating the exchange of medical information, building key relationships with opinion leaders, and driving awareness of our cutting-edge assays. In addition, the MSL provides field-based commercial support to the clinical sales team through education and training initiatives, ensuring that both internal teams and external stakeholders are well-informed about the clinical value and appropriate use of our products.

Core Responsibilities

• Clinical and Scientific Communication:
  • Deliver clinical and scientific presentations on data supporting Personalis’ oncology products – with special emphasis on the NeXT Personal MRD assay – to healthcare providers, academic groups, and other stakeholders.
  • Tailor complex genomic and clinical information to suit diverse audiences, ensuring clear understanding of our test’s utility.
• KOL Engagement:
  • Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and leading physicians in the oncology community.
  • Engage academic and community KOLs through regular scientific exchange to promote understanding and adoption of our novel ctDNA and genomic technologies.
  • Identify opportunities to involve KOLs in advisory boards, speaker programs, or research collaborations that enhance the visibility of Personalis’ assays.
• Clinical Advocacy & Education:
  • Represent Personalis at scientific and clinical conferences, symposia, and other educational events.
  • Support PIs with clinical study data or posters, participate in panel discussions, and host educational workshops or grand rounds to highlight the clinical evidence and best practices for using our ctDNA assay and broader test portfolio.
  • Ensure consistent and medically accurate messaging in all external engagements.
• Field Travel:
  • Travel frequently (approximately 50% of the time) to execute the above field responsibilities.
  • Includes local and overnight travel for HCP meetings, conference attendance, internal training sessions, and other field engagements.
  • A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel by air are required.
  • Flexibility to occasionally travel on short notice or attend weekend events is expected.
• Additional Responsibilities:
  • Research Support:
    • Support and coordinate clinical research and evidence-generation initiatives involving Personalis’ tests.
    • Identify and liaise with potential clinical trial sites and investigators for company-sponsored studies or investigator-initiated trials, particularly those evaluating MRD with NeXT Personal.
    • Facilitate collaboration with researchers by providing scientific expertise, assisting in study site onboarding, and monitoring study progress in accordance with appropriate guidelines.
  • Medical Content Development:
    • Contribute medical and scientific expertise to the development and review of content such as slide decks, white papers, training modules, and publications to ensure accuracy and alignment with current data.
    • Critically appraise new research findings and incorporate them into educational materials and talking points, working closely with Marketing and Medical Affairs on messaging that meets both scientific and compliance standards.
  • Insight Generation:
    • Continuously gather insights from the field and stay abreast of emerging research in oncology and molecular diagnostics.
    • Monitor new studies, competitive developments, and clinical guidelines related to MRD, ctDNA, and precision oncology.
    • Share relevant scientific updates and field feedback with internal teams (Medical Affairs, R&D, Marketing) to inform strategy, product development, and data needs.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific or clinical discipline (PhD, PharmD, MD or equivalent) strongly preferred; at minimum, a Master’s degree in life sciences, genetics, molecular biology or related field is required.
• Candidates with a Genetic Counseling certification (CGC/MS) or other advanced clinical training and significant oncology genomics experience will also be considered.
• In-depth knowledge of oncology and molecular biology is essential, including familiarity with cancer genomics, biomarkers, and the principles of liquid biopsy testing.
• Experience or training in ctDNA assays, next-generation sequencing, or minimal residual disease monitoring is highly desirable.
• 1+ years of experience in oncology or precision medicine, whether in clinical practice, research, or industry, is preferred.
• Prior experience in a field medical affairs role (MSL or similar) is a plus but not strictly required.
• Exceptional candidates with strong oncology expertise and communication skills may qualify without direct MSL experience, especially if they have worked on clinical studies or educational programs in relevant areas.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to interpret and present complex scientific data in a clear, concise manner.
• Strong technical writing skills are beneficial for contributing to scientific materials.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain professional relationships with healthcare providers, researchers, and cross-functional team members.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively in an independent, remote field-based setting, while maintaining close collaboration with a broader team.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills to manage a territory or set of accounts, plan travel, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to ~50%, including overnight trips, by car and air, as needed for territory coverage and meetings.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Sick/vacation time.
• Commuter benefits/EV charging stations.
• Onsite gym and wellness benefits.