Scholar Rock 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.

PharmD Fellowship Program – Global Scientific Communications
Location: Scholar Rock, Cambridge, MA (Hybrid)
Duration: 2 Years

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

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

• Contribute to continuous process improvements and innovation in scientific communications practices.

Publications Planning and Execution

• Contribute to continuous process improvements and innovation in scientific communications practices.

Medical Information

• Contribute to continuous process improvements and innovation in scientific communications practices.

Congress Strategy and Execution

• Contribute to continuous process improvements and innovation in scientific communications practices.

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 (PharmD) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy prior to fellowship start date

• Strong scientific foundation and interest in scientific communications and medical affairs 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proficiency in creating clear, data-driven scientific presentations in PowerPoint

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment

• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills 

• Prior internship or experience in medical affairs or scientific communications is desirable

Why Join Us? 
This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development and communication of scientific data that supports patient care worldwide. You will join a supportive, mission-driven organization committed to developing the next generation of industry leaders. 

Additional Information

Applicants should submit the following application materials by the priority deadline of October 31, 2025:

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

Three formal letters of recommendation (LORs) should be sent directly from the letter writer to [email protected] by November 21, 2025. LOR writers must include the candidate’s name and the fellowship program(s) in the subject line (e.g., Smith, John – Alnylam, GSK).

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

Position Type

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:

$59,425.00 - $83,935.00

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.