Consulting Associate/Policy (Life Sciences practice)

CRA International; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with employer–n

Paid time off

Job summary

Charles River Associates is seeking a Consulting Associate within its Life Sciences policy team in the United States. The role focuses on rigorous research, analysis, and delivering client-ready insights across pharma, biotech, diagnostics and medical devices.

You will contribute to project work, manage tasks, and collaborate with colleagues globally, gaining exposure to multiple geographies and therapy areas while developing your project-management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an analytical subject relevant to Life Sciences policy
• 2–5 years of experience in consulting, research, or academia preferred
• Interest in Life Sciences policy issues and willingness to learn US and international markets
• Ability to work independently and handle ambiguity
• Knowledge of data analysis tools like Python or R preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Conduct targeted primary and secondary research and support qualitative and quantitative tasks
• Analyse and synthesise evidence to identify findings and insights
• Manage assigned projects or workstreams under senior oversight
• Contribute to client meetings and internal team discussions
• Prepare clear, accurate sections of reports and client deliverables
• Guide junior colleagues, provide feedback while ensuring quality and deadlines
• Support business development through proposals and research contributions
• Help raise internal thought leadership and external visibility through sector outreach

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Independent work

Ambiguity tolerance

Written English

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences policy or related analytical field

Tools

Python

R

Job description

About Charles River Associates

CRA is a leading global consulting firm that provides independent economic and financial analysis behind litigation matters, guides businesses through critical strategy and operational issues to become more profitable, and advises governments on the economic impact of policies and regulations. Our two main services – economic and management consulting – are delivered by practice groups that focus on specific areas of expertise or industries. Click here to learn how CRA can help you launchyour career.

Position Overview

CRA’s Life Sciences practice helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical device companies achieve optimum performance across key aspects of their business, including innovation, commercial success, organization, and reputation, all for the long-term benefit of patients, clinicians, employees, and shareholders. We work with life sciences businesses directly as well as with their legal counsel, industry associations, government organizations, and advocacy groups from the earliest stages of research into new therapy areas, through product development, to the delivery of products that will achieve commercial success and fulfil the expectations of our clients and their key stakeholders. Our dedicated Policy team works with Life Sciences companies, industry associations, government organizations, and advocacy groups to anticipate and respond to policy challenges. Our projects focus on analysing ongoing or anticipated policy challenges, assessing the impact on patients, competition or innovation, and helping clients with developing solutions that address these challenges whilst supporting their commercial priorities.

Job Overview

As an integral member of the policy team, you will help us deliver rigorous analysis and high-impact solutions. We provide professional development and mentoring to contribute to a global Life Sciences practice, allowing you to work with colleagues from across our offices and gain experience in a wide range of geographies, therapy areas, aspects of the industry and project types. Consulting Associates at CRA work alongside senior and junior colleagues on a variety of client engagements. In this role, you will contribute to key components of projects by conducting research and analysis, developing clear insights, and preparing client-ready deliverables. You will manage your own tasks and deadlines and, with guidance from senior colleagues, take responsibility for defined projects or workstreams. You will also delegate, and review tasks completed by more junior colleagues, providing clear direction and feedback. As your experience grows, you will take on increasing responsibility for project management and delivery. We highly value a strong work ethic, curiosity, creativity, a positive attitude, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn and take ownership of high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Conduct targeted primary and secondary research and support qualitative and quantitative tasks within agreed project frameworks
• Analyse and synthesise evidence to identify relevant findings, implications, and emerging insights
• Manage assigned projects or workstreams under senior oversight
• Contribute to client meetings and internal team discussions
• Prepare clear, accurate, and well-structured sections of reports, presentations, and other client deliverables
• Help structure and delegate tasks to junior colleagues, provide day-to-day guidance, review their work, and offer feedback while maintaining accountability for quality and deadlines
• Contribute to internal knowledge development and practice-building activities
• Support business development efforts, including research and drafting contributions for proposals
• Support the team’s external visibility through research for thought leadership, events, and sector outreach where relevant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an analytical subject or relevant to consulting in Life Sciences policy (e.g., health policy, economics, finance, health economics, public health, business, or life sciences)
• 2-5 years of relevant experience gained through consulting, research, industry, government, or academia is preferred
• Demonstrated interest in Life Sciences policy issues and a willingness to build knowledge across US and international markets
• Ability to work independently and with ambiguity
• Strong grounding in quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, with the ability to problem solve, interpret evidence and communicate findings clearly
• Experience using data analysis tools such as Python or R is preferred but not required
• Strong attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to deliver high-quality work within agreed timelines
• Ability to work collaboratively, respond constructively to feedback, and manage multiple tasks in a project-based environment
• Strong verbal communication skills, with excellent written English; additional language skills are preferred

Career Growth and Benefits

CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.

We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which may include:

• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• life and disability insurance
• paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
• paid parental leave
• wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• commuter benefits

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary and other compensation

A good-faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $110,000 - $126,500. Stating pay within this range may vary based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position may be eligible for additional bonus incentive compensation.

• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• life and disability insurance
• paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
• paid parental leave
• wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• commuter benefits