Vertex – Market Access Strategy Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

1d•$60,315 - $85,193•Onsite

About The Position

The 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 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, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is offering a two-year North American Commercial—US Market Access Strategy fellowship, based in Boston, MA. Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and acute pain, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 16 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Requirements

Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE-accredited institution
Eligible for pharmacist licensure in the State of Massachusetts
Excellent oral and written communication skills
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

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated interest in US payer policy, market access strategy, and health economics
Familiarity with the US healthcare system, including formulary decision-making processes and the evolving payer landscape
Proven ability to manage multiple projects with strategic focus and attention to detail
Self-starter with a learning mindset, business acumen and agility to thrive in a fast-paced, launch-oriented environment

Responsibilities

Support payer marketing and strategy across the Vertex commercial and pipeline portfolio.
Contribute to launch and lifecycle access planning as part of the Market Access Strategy team.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners in Pricing and Contracting, HEOR, Public Affairs, and Brand Marketing.
Develop an understanding of how the company assesses market dynamics, evaluates access opportunities and barriers, and shapes value-based strategies to support patient access and payer engagement.
Build foundational knowledge of U.S. market access strategy, including how payer, policy, reimbursement, and stakeholder dynamics influence access planning across products.
Advance strategic and tactical projects that strengthen launch and lifecycle market access planning in key disease areas that may include Type 1 Diabetes, Pain, IgA Nephropathy, APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis.
Identify and explore innovative partnerships, market disruptors, and policy changes that may enhance compliant patient access and payer engagement.
Gain exposure to the regulatory and compliance environment, including CMS policies, state-specific regulations, and legal considerations surrounding access communications and contracting.
Contribute to the development of payer value propositions, access narratives, and strategic recommendations that support reimbursement, coverage optimization, and differentiated product positioning.
Create educational materials and resources that communicate market access strategy to internal and external stakeholders.