About the Opportunity

Northeastern University’s Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program is a two-year fellowship designed to advance the education and training of Pharm.D. graduates in various areas of industry pharmacy including regulatory affairs, medical information/affairs, patient safety, outcomes research, and many other areas. The program is a collaboration between Northeastern University and biopharmaceutical industry partners.

Our program provides a dynamic academic environment offering fellows the opportunity for a wide breadth of experiences:

• Develop teaching skills through participation in our Teaching and Learning Seminar series
• Facilitate small and large group didactic education in partnership with a faculty mentor
• Create, present, and publish scholarly research through collaborative industry and university relationships
• Engage with faculty who participate in various interdisciplinary
• Network with area residents and other Northeastern fellows via professional development programs, teaching seminars, and participation on fellowship committees

In partnership with Northeastern University, Apellis Pharmaceuticals is offering a two-year Medical Affairs PharmD fellowship based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Apellis is delivering life-changing medicines across a broad range of serious diseases through the complement cascade targeting C3 therapies. There are two approved medicines targeting C3, the central protein in the cascade. These include the first-ever therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness around the world.

Founded in 2008, and headquartered in Waltham, Mass. We are leaders in the biotech industry, and our values guide every decision that we make as we work toward our vision of being an organization for its compassion, revolutionary science, and contributions to humankind. Our values include: “We Care”, “We are Fearless”, “We Love What We Do”, “We are Resourceful”, We are Complement”, and “We Belong”.

Apellis is committed to developing transformative therapies for people living with a broad range of debilitating diseases by controlling complement, part of the body’s immune system. Apellis Pharmaceuticals Medical Affairs supports the company mission by getting the right drug, to the right patient, at the right time. In 2022, Apellis Pharmaceuticals partnered with Northeastern University to offer a unique fellowship opportunity. The two-year Apellis Pharmaceuticals Medical Affairs Fellowship Program is designed to prepare postdoctoral scholars for rewarding careers in the biopharmaceutical industry. Through hands-on experience, fellows will work with various cross-functional teams to learn the role of Medical Affairs, develop skills in the analysis, interpretation, and communication of clinical data, and expand their scientific knowledge to render clinical insights and contribute to meeting customer needs.

Responsibilities:

• Create, update and facilitate review of medical response documents for call center communications to healthcare providers and patients/caregivers.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of disease epidemiology and pathophysiology in a specific therapeutic area to lead a longitudinal project across US and International Medical Affairs.
• Become an integral member of the Medical Excellence team to drive projects pertinent to the successful performance of Medical Affairs (ex. Digital Strategy and Operations).
• Collect, develop, and manage key product insights and analyze inquiry trends.
• Participate in the development and implementation of medical plans and ensure alignment of key medical activities to the medical strategy.
• Support Medical Affairs launch preparation and execution.
• Contribute to the development of field medical content deliverables, including slide decks and FAQs for internal training.
• Participate in Medical Review Committee (MRC) to understand regulations governing the communication of scientific information.
• Develop a working knowledge of various departments, processes, regulations and compliance that inform industry standards.
• Lead in the execution, development, and planning of select Medical Congresses.

Qualifications:

Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE accredited institution, eligible for licensure as a pharmacist in the State of Massachusetts.

Excellent oral and written communication, time management, and leadership skills, ability to work independently and take initiative on a variety of projects at the industry site and Northeastern.

Additional Information:

Applicants should submit the following APPLICATION MATERIALS by the priority deadline of October 31, 2023

• Curriculum vitae (CV), uploaded
• Unofficial PharmD transcripts, uploaded
• Cover letter, uploaded

Three formal letters of recommendation (LORs) sent directly from the letter writer to PharmDFellowships@northeastern.edu by November 29th , 2023. LOR writers should include the candidate’s name and fellowship program(s) in the subject line (e.g. Smith, John – Alnylam, Apellis).

Address cover letter and three LORs to:

J. Andrew Orr-Skirvin, PharmD, BCOP

Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy

Chair, Department of Pharmacy & Health System Sciences

Director of Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program

360 Huntington Ave, 140TF R218

Boston, MA 02115

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

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. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.  

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

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.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity .