Vertex - Medical Affairs Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About the Opportunity

Northeastern University Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships Program is a two-year experiential program designed to advance lifelong learning and the education and training of Pharm.D. graduates. A key element of the program’s success is preparing Fellows to meet evolving workforce needs across various sectors of the pharmaceutical industry. Fellows have the opportunity to work closely with our innovative biopharmaceutical industry partners, while engaging with Northeastern University faculty in professional and career development, teaching, service, and scholarly activities. In partnership with Northeastern University, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is offering a two-year Medical Affairs fellowship, based in Boston, MA.

About Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion‑dependent beta thalassemia and acute pain, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1‑mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type1 diabetes and myotonic dystrophy type1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 16 consecutive years on Science magazine’s Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex’s history of innovation, visit or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X.

Medical Affairs Fellowship Description

In Medical Affairs, our team works to ensure that clinical decision‑makers have a deep understanding of the benefits and risks of our medicines through scientific communication and disease state education. We gather insights from stakeholders, identify data and knowledge gaps, and respond to medical inquiries in a clear and scientifically accurate manner to guide healthcare provider and payer decision making. During the program, fellows will work collaboratively and cross‑functionally within Vertex's Medical Affairs group across Global Medical Affairs, Global Medical Information, and Medical Operations. The fellows will also have the opportunity to rotate to an elective of their choice, with options including Field Medical, US Medical, and others.

Medical Affairs Fellowship Objectives

• Deepen scientific expertise in disease pathophysiology, epidemiology, and treatment landscape to support scientific exchange within the medical community
• Develop scientific communication materials for internal education and field medical
• Support the development and execution of key Medical Affairs deliverables, including the medical plan, strategic publication plan, and disease state communication framework
• Collaborate with US and Global cross‑functional stakeholders to prepare materials for key scientific conferences and support on‑site medical activities
• Utilize clinical expertise to develop timely, accurate, and scientifically balanced responses to unsolicited medical information inquiries
• Network across the Medical Affairs organization to gain a thorough understanding of industry opportunities and expand upon experiences through additional projects of interest

Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE‑accredited institution
• Eligible for pharmacist licensure in the State of Massachusetts
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong time management and leadership abilities
• Ability to work independently and take initiative on a variety of projects at both the industry site and Northeastern

Additional Information

Address cover letter and letters of recommendation to: J. Andrew Orr‑Skirvin, PharmD, BCOP Clinical Professor, Department of Pharmacy & Health Systems Sciences Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program Director 360 Huntington Ave, 140 The Fenway R218 Boston, MA 02115.

Northeastern University will not provide H‑1B, TN, O‑1, E‑3, or any other type of employment visa sponsorship for the successful applicant to this position, now or in the future. STEM OPT is not compatible for this position. The successful applicant must be able to maintain valid work authorization in the United States throughout the entire appointment without Northeastern University's sponsorship for a visa.

Position Type: Research

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement‑ as well as commuting & transportation.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation

Grade/Pay Type: 108S

Expected Hiring Range: $60,315.00 - $85,192.50

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly‑situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real‑world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—including 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.