Research Fellow, Clinical Trial Policy

Abundance Network; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) match up to 6%

$1,000 annual book credit

Monthly commuter benefit

Unlimited vacation policy

Job summary

Clearpath is seeking a research fellow to spearhead a new focus on clinical trial abundance in Washington, DC. This role will entail developing actionable policy proposals, producing original research, and engaging with a variety of stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in health policy and clinical research. The position offers a salary range of $125,000–$150,000, hybrid or remote work options, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and an unlimited vacation policy.

Qualifications

• Strong judgment about what makes a policy idea both intellectually serious and practically actionable.
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts for non-specialist audiences.
• Interest in reducing bureaucratic barriers to innovation.

Responsibilities

• Develop actionable policy proposals for clinical research.
• Produce written work for policy and public audiences.
• Engage with stakeholders across various sectors.

Skills

Health policy

Clinical research

FDA regulation

Excellent communication

Policy development

Job description

Foundation for American Innovation champions the technology, talent, and ideas essential to American prosperity, security, and flourishing. We are builders, hackers, and scholars advancing an optimistic vision of the future—aligning technology with human ends to forge a more perfect union between innovation and the American republic.

To further this mission, FAI is seeking a research fellow to lead a new focus area on clinical trial abundance: accelerating the generation of high-quality clinical evidence by making trials faster, less costly, and more innovation-friendly. Reporting to the director of science and innovation, the senior fellow will be responsible for producing original research and commentary, developing policy ideas, and building relationships with policymakers.

This full-time position is based in Washington, DC. Hybrid or remote work options are negotiable for exceptional candidates. The ideal candidate will have a background in health policy, clinical research, FDA regulation, or a related field, and will be eager to apply that expertise at a think tank.

Responsibilities

• Develop actionable policy proposals to reduce unnecessary regulatory, administrative, and compliance burdens in clinical research while preserving rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and public trust.
• Produce written work for policy and public audiences, including reports, essays, op-eds, testimony, regulatory comments, memos, and briefing materials.
• Engage policymakers, agency officials, scholars, technologists, clinicians, patient advocates, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to inform FAI’s work and advance practical reform ideas.
• Build relationships across the science, technology, health, and innovation policy communities to expand the coalition interested in clinical trial abundance.
• Represent FAI publicly in meetings, conferences, convenings, media opportunities, and published commentary.

Qualifications

We invite candidates across every stage of their career and from diverse professional landscapes to apply. Successful candidates will demonstrate the following:

• Enthusiastic support for FAI’s mission.
• Experience or serious interest in health policy, science policy, biomedical innovation, clinical research, FDA regulation, medicine, law, academia, government, industry, or a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to translate complex scientific, regulatory, and technical concepts for non-specialist audiences.
• Strong judgment about what makes a policy idea both intellectually serious and practically actionable.
• Interest in reducing bureaucratic barriers to innovation and helping American institutions better support scientific and technological progress.
• Familiarity with FDA law and regulation, drug development, clinical trial operations, research ethics, health data infrastructure, or biomedical R&D.
• Experience working with or around Congress, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy organizations, industry, academia, or policy campaigns.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary range of $125,000–$150,000 (negotiable based on experience)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) match up to 6%
• $1,000 annual book credit
• Monthly commuter benefit
• Unlimited vacation policy

FAI is an equal‑opportunity employer. We review applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, uniformed services, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.