About the Opportunity

About the Opportunity

The Northeastern University Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program is a two-year experiential program designed to prepare Pharm.D. graduates for impactful careers across the biopharmaceutical industry. Fellows gain hands-on industry experience while engaging with Northeastern University faculty in professional and career development, teaching, service, and scholarly activities.

This is an opportunity to gain broad, practical experience across Medical Affairs while working alongside experienced industry professionals in a purpose-driven rare disease organization. The Fellow will contribute to meaningful projects that connect science, strategy, and patient needs, while developing the skills and perspective needed to build a career in Medical Affairs.

In partnership with Northeastern University, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases (GRD) is seeking a Medical Affairs Fellow for a two-year fellowship based in Boston, Massachusetts.

About Chiesi GRD

Chiesi Global Rare Diseases (GRD) is a Chiesi Group’s business unit established in February 2020 and focused on research, development and commercialization of treatments and patient support services for rare and ultra-rare disorders, many of whom have limited or no treatments available.
 

This unit is based in Boston, Massachusetts, with a strong synergy with the headquarters in Parma. 

The GRD unit has a focus on research and product development for lysosomal storage diseases, rare hematology, ophthalmology disorders and rare immunodeficiencies. The unit is also a dedicated partner with global leaders in scientific research, patient advocacy and care. 

No matter where your path starts at Chiesi, it leads to inspiring possibilities. Your future is our focus, and we are committed to nurturing your development in our dynamic, friendly environment with access to resources and training every step of the way.

The Medical Affairs Fellowship

The Medical Affairs Fellowship at Chiesi Global Rare Diseases provides a comprehensive training experience designed to develop future leaders in Medical Affairs. Fellows will gain a strong understanding of how Medical Affairs supports the scientific and strategic needs of healthcare professionals, patients, and internal stakeholders to improve patient outcomes.

Throughout the fellowship, the Fellow will build expertise in rare disease areas and therapeutic products while gaining practical experience across Medical Affairs. This includes learning how Medical Affairs operates within a highly regulated environment and how scientific evidence is translated into strategy, education, and meaningful engagement.

The Fellow will work closely with colleagues across Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Legal/Compliance, Commercial, Market Access/HEOR, Patient Advocacy, and other functions, providing a valuable perspective on how cross-functional teams bring innovative therapies to patients.

Key Responsibilities

During the fellowship, the Fellow will gain exposure to a broad range of Medical Affairs activities, which may include:

• Support Medical Affairs strategy and planning by identifying stakeholder needs, analyzing emerging scientific and competitive trends, and translating medical insights into actionable strategies.

• Engage in scientific exchange with internal and external stakeholders, communicating disease state, clinical trial, and real-world evidence in an accurate, balanced, and compliant manner.

• Develop scientific communications and medical education for Field Medical teams, healthcare professionals, scientific congresses, and internal stakeholders.

• Contribute to evidence generation and publications, including identifying evidence gaps, supporting publication strategy and deliverables, and gaining exposure to investigator-sponsored research, collaborative studies, registries, and real-world evidence programs.

• Gather and synthesize medical insights from healthcare professionals, scientific meetings, literature, and field interactions to inform Medical Affairs priorities and decision-making.

• Support medical information activities by researching and developing balanced, scientifically accurate responses to unsolicited healthcare professional inquiries.

• Gain exposure to Field Medical activities, including thought leader engagement, stakeholder mapping, congress participation, and relationship development with healthcare professionals and researchers.

• Support pre-commercial, launch readiness, and lifecycle initiatives, as appropriate to portfolio needs and timing, including evidence planning, stakeholder engagement, scientific communications, and medical education.

• Contribute to Medical Affairs operations, including budget management, vendor coordination, compliance with policies and procedures, and process improvement.

This fellowship is designed provide a comprehensive foundation for a career in Medical Affairs and the biopharmaceutical industry, combining scientific expertise with strategic, cross-functional, and patient-focused experience.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE-accredited institution

• Eligible for pharmacist licensure in the State of Massachusetts

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively with others

• Strong interest in Medical Affairs and the biopharmaceutical industry
   

Additional Information

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

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

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:

Expected Hiring Range:

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.