Post-Doctoral Fellow – Pharmaceutical Policy, Law, and Ethics

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy

Location: Philadelphia, PA (in person, partially remote, and fully remote options are possible)

Description: A full-time post-doctoral fellowship position is available within the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Holly Fernandez Lynch, JD, MBE, will serve as the fellow's primary mentor.

The position is for a one-year initial term, with renewal expected for an additional year depending on funding and performance. A total of up to 30 months may be considered, depending on start date and individual circumstances. Start date is as soon as possible. Salary commensurate with experience (range: $60,000-$70,000, with health benefits).

Position Details: The fellow will conduct research to inform the policy debate about how to balance speed and certainty in FDA drug approvals as part of a project examining barriers, facilitators, and alternatives to confirming benefit through required post-market studies. Supported by philanthropic funding, the project will involve stakeholder interviews with pharmaceutical companies, patient advocacy groups, drug regulators, and payers to understand their views on what helps and hinders completion of studies to confirm drug safety and effectiveness after approval, as well as the role of pre-approval access mechanisms as a complement or alternative to early approval of drugs with uncertain benefit. Interview findings will inform testable interventions and policy recommendations relevant to each stakeholder group. The fellow will be involved in all aspects of the project, including literature review, interview design and conduct, data analysis, co-authorship of resulting manuscripts, and policy translation and dissemination. The fellow will also have the opportunity to lead publications on broader issues arising in the context of accelerated approval reform, FDA's expanded access pathway, pharmaceutical evidence development, and related issues. In addition to Prof. Fernandez Lynch, the fellow will work closely with expert collaborators at Yale School of Medicine (Reshma Ramachandran, MD, MHS, MPP, and Joseph Ross, MD, MHS) and Dalhousie University (Matthew Herder, LLB, LLM, JSM).

The fellow will join a community of post-docs in the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy. There will be opportunities for participation in departmental events and training programs, as well as engagement across campus, including with the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. Guidance and support will be provided in pursuing a subsequent academic faculty appointment in a school of medicine, law, or public health, or alternative career options.

Qualifications:
• PhD, SJD, MD, JD, or equivalent degree/experience in pharmaceutical policy or related field
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organization and attention to detail

Preferred but not required: experience in qualitative methods; experience in translation and dissemination of research findings; expertise regarding oncology and/or rare disease
May consider an advanced PhD or SJD student for consulting approximately 20 hours/week for the first several months

If you have expertise in qualitative methods but not FDA policy, or in FDA policy but not qualitative methods, please consider applying. We are flexible and can provide training for the right candidate.

The Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We seek candidates who foster and support this commitment.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please submit a CV, cover letter of up to two pages, and contact information for three references (name with position title, phone, and email address). Please also include a writing sample; if applicable, the writing sample should demonstrate knowledge and expertise in qualitative methods and/or FDA policy. In your cover letter, please summarize your research experience and interest.

Applications and questions regarding the position should be directed to Holly Fernandez Lynch [lynchhf@pennmedicine.upenn.edu]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.






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