Epidemiology Forecasting, Associate Director

Vertex Pharmaceuticals • Boston, MA

1d

About The Position

Vertex is seeking a talented and motivated Associate Director to join HEOR’s Epidemiology Center of Excellence (CoE), a specialized team that develops patient population forecasts used to inform commercial opportunity and forecasting, clinical trial planning, long-range planning, regulatory filings, and external communications. The role supports drug development programs in Vertex’s pipeline by executing strategic plans to obtain scientifically rigorous global estimates of disease incidence, prevalence, and population size for diseases being investigated for treatment. The Associate Director serves as a strategic partner to colleagues throughout the organization, providing technical epidemiology expertise on projects, and reports to the Senior Director, Epidemiology Center of Excellence.

The position is remote-eligible, with options to work remotely five days per week, hybrid (remotely up to two days per week), or on-site five days per week, subject to Vertex’s Flex @ Vertex Program policy. The role collaborates across commercial, business development, medical, clinical, regulatory, corporate communications, and other functions. Vertex encourages continuous learning and thoughtful adoption of advances in AI, technology, and automation to improve decision-making, innovation, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

Requirements

• PhD, DSc, or DrPH in Epidemiology or a related discipline and at least 8 years of industry experience in a biopharmaceutical or consulting environment; alternatively, an MPH or MSc and at least 10 years of experience.
• Experience developing disease population size estimates.
• Experience executing research to generate scientifically rigorous epidemiology estimates, including systematic literature reviews and primary observational studies.
• Experience supporting population sizing activities across research, business development, and long-range planning.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and navigate multiple competing priorities.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate complex data into digestible information.
• Demonstrated experience applying claims-based analytic methods in epidemiologic research, including disease prevalence estimation using real-world data sources.
• Flexible, outside-the-box thinker who takes a collaborative approach and embraces diverse perspectives.
• Culturally sensitive collaborator able to effectively lead cross-functional teams, align with business and stakeholder needs, and manage timelines and budgets.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in rare diseases.

Responsibilities

• Lead systematic literature reviews and database or disease registry studies, and contribute to primary observational studies to develop scientifically rigorous estimates of disease incidence, prevalence, and population size.
• Generate quality global estimates of disease incidence, prevalence, and population size for disease areas being investigated for treatment with Vertex product candidates.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners in commercial, business development, medical, clinical, regulatory, corporate communications, and other functions.
• Support internal processes and participate in cross-functional teams to align on strategic plans and recommended approaches and investment levels at each stage of development, ensuring epidemiology deliverables meet organizational needs.
• Develop innovative solutions to ensure the organization has relevant epidemiologic information, particularly where existing evidence is sparse.

Benefits

• Annual bonus and annual equity awards; some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off, including a week-long company shutdown in the summer and winter.
• Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment.
• Commuting subsidy.
• Matching charitable donations.
• 401(k).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree