Global Scientific Communications Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About the Opportunity

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, Scholar Rock is offering a two-year Global Scientific Communications fellowship, based in Cambridge, MA.

About Scholar Rock

Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need.

Responsibilities

Scholar Rock’s Global Scientific Communications Fellowship is a two-year program that provides PharmD graduates with comprehensive, hands-on experience in medical affairs. This fellowship offers the unique opportunity to develop deep expertise in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare neuromuscular disease, as well as gain exposure to Scholar Rock’s broader neuromuscular pipeline of innovative therapies. Through core areas such as medical communications, publications, medical information, and congress planning, the fellow will engage in global cross-functional collaboration, contribute to the communication of emerging science, and support the strategic dissemination of data that advances patient care worldwide. Through a phased training model, the program emphasizes both foundational knowledge and leadership development to prepare fellows for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop deep expertise in the principles and practices of scientific and medical communications.
• Understand the strategic role of communications in product lifecycle management.
• Gain experience working in a global cross-functional matrix environment.
• Enhance project management, critical thinking, and scientific writing skills, while strengthening leadership, team building, and a sense of ownership and accountability.
• Build a professional network within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
• Develop a broad understanding of the biotechnology industry landscape, including drug development processes and organizational dynamics.

Program Overview:

Year 1: Foundational Training and Cross-Functional Immersion

The Fellow will focus on building a strong foundation in scientific communications by working across key functional areas: medical communications, publications planning and execution, medical information, and congress strategy and execution.

Please Note: The following are examples of responsibilities associated with this fellowship and are not limited to the items listed. Specific projects and deliverables may evolve based on organizational priorities, fellow interest, and business needs.

Medical Communications

• Contribute to the development of scientifically accurate, balanced, and engaging content to support effective communication for healthcare professionals across the therapeutic area.
• Assist in the creation of medical education initiatives such as scientific symposia, field medical decks, infographics, and other educational materials designed for external engagement.

Publications Planning and Execution

• Gain experience in strategic publication planning by participating in publication team meetings, helping define timelines, and ensuring alignment with broader medical communication objectives.
• Collaborate with internal and external authors on the development of manuscripts, abstracts, and posters for submission to peer-reviewed journals and major medical congresses.

Medical Information

• Support the development, review and maintenance of global standard response documents and FAQs collaborating with regional affiliates to ensure scientific messaging.
• Participate in medical information call center operations to gain insight into how healthcare professional inquiries are triaged and addressed. Assist in responding to unsolicited requests for information in a compliant and scientifically accurate manner.
• Capture and analyze insights from healthcare professional inquiry trends to help inform medical affairs strategy and identify educational needs.

Congress Strategy and Execution

• Gain hands on experience in supporting medical affairs presence at global scientific conferences through the planning and execution of congress activities, including medical booth planning and staffing, scientific communication and engagement activities, and participation in internal post-congress debriefs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation

• Collaborate cross-functionally with medical affairs, clinical development, regulatory, and commercial teams.
• Contribute to continuous process improvements and innovation in scientific communications practices.

Year 2: Strategic Ownership and Leadership Development

In the second year, the fellow will take on increased strategic responsibilities, drive independent projects with full ownership, and continue building leadership and scientific communication skills while contributing to key global initiatives.

Please Note: The following are examples of responsibilities associated with this fellowship and are not limited to the items listed. Specific projects and deliverables may evolve based on organizational priorities, fellow interest, and business needs.

Medical Communications

• Lead development of scientific content and educational resources across global and regional teams.

Publications Planning and Execution

• Drive components of the global publication plan and synthesize clinical data across communication channels.

Medical Information

• Lead the development of global standard response documents and translate HCP insights into broader strategy.

Congress Strategy and Execution

• Independently manage congress planning projects, including booth strategy, content and post-congress activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation

• Identify opportunities for process optimization and implement innovative solutions in medical communications practices.
• Provide mentorship to incoming fellows or interns and lead a fellowship legacy project.

Other Opportunities

• Fellows will also have the opportunity to tailor their experience by engaging in optional cross-functional projects or short-term rotations across key departments based on individual interest and organizational need. These may include areas such as:
  • Field Medical
  • Evidence Generation
  • Medical Affairs Operations
  • Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)
  • Global Regulatory Affairs
  • Patient Advocacy

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 with proficiency in creating clear, data-driven scientific presentations in PowerPoint
• 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
• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills
• Prior internship experience in medical affairs or scientific communications is desirable

Additional Information

Applicants should submit the following application materials by the priority deadline of October 31, 2026:

1. Curriculum vitae (CV), uploaded
2. Unofficial PharmD transcripts, uploaded
3. Cover letter, uploaded

Letters of Recommendation

Three formal Letters of Recommendation (LORs) must be submitted directly by the letter writers no later than November 23, 2026.

Each letter writer must include:

·       The candidate's full name

·       The fellowship program(s) to which the candidate is applying (e.g., Smith, John – Alnylam, GSK)

Please ask your letter writers to complete and submit the Letter of Recommendation Form along with their recommendation. Click here to access the form and share it with your letter writers.

Recommendations must be submitted directly by the recommender and cannot be submitted by the applicant.

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

Additional Information

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

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.