Vertex – Market Access Trade & Distribution Strategy Postdoctoral Research Fellow

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University’s Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program invites a Doctor of Pharmacy graduate to join a two‑year North American Commercial – US Market Access Trade and Distribution Strategy fellowship based in Boston, MA. The role emphasizes strategy, channel management and cross‑functional teamwork within a dynamic industry setting.

You will work with USMA, pricing, contracting, analytics, and field teams to support launches, access and distribution across the portfolio, while

Qualifications

• 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.
• Demonstrated interest in market access, trade, distribution, and/or the business side of the pharmaceutical industry through coursework, APPE/IPPE rotations, internships, or extracurricular involvement.
• Familiarity with the US healthcare system, including pharmaceutical procurement processes and the evolving reimbursement and 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.
• Direct retail and specialty pharmacy experience (e.g., APPE/IPPE, internship, or employment) with exposure to limited distribution networks, prior authorization, or patient onboarding workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support strategic/tactical projects for launch readiness across potential disease areas such as Type 1 Diabetes, Neuropathic Pain, DM1, APOL-1 Mediated Kidney Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis
• Support and contribute to the design and execution of go‑to market and lifecycle trade and distribution strategies, including distribution channel planning, patient journey mapping, and stakeholder engagement across specialty pharmacies, distributors and wholesalers
• Gain exposure to trade and distribution channel management, including distribution agreements and fee for service contracting
• Build an understanding of the specialty pharmacy landscape including hub services models, limited distribution networks, and patient support program integration
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with marketing, legal, finance, supply chain and other partners to align trade strategy with brand access objectives

Skills

Pharmacist licensure

Communication skills

Time management

Leadership abilities

Independent work

Market access interest

US healthcare familiarity

Project management

Self-starter mindset

Retail/pharmacy experience

Education

Doctor of Pharmacy (ACPE-accredited)

Job description

About the Opportunity

About the Opportunity 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 our 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 Trade and Distribution Strategy fellowship, based in Boston, MA.

About Vertex Pharmaceuticals

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.

Responsibilities

US Market Access (USMA) – Trade & Distribution Strategy The Trade and Distribution Strategy position offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to multiple disease areas and products across Vertex’s commercial and pipeline portfolio. The fellow, primarily embedded within the US Market Access Strategy team, will support the organization’s approach to channel strategy across the value chain, ensuring reliable product access and distribution across the portfolio. This will include helping prepare for launches and post‑approval pull‑through by partnering closely with the broader multi‑functional USMA team including market access operations, pricing and contracting, analytics, and field teams. Additionally, the fellow will collaborate with critical cross‑functional partners including Patient Services, Commercial Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Brand Marketing teams. Learn the responsibilities of the US Market Access team, including how it interacts with both internal and external stakeholders

• Lead and support strategic/tactical projects for launch readiness across potential disease areas such as Type 1 Diabetes, Neuropathic Pain, DM1, APOL-1 Mediated Kidney Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis
• Support and contribute to the design and execution of go‑to market and lifecycle trade and distribution strategies, including distribution channel planning, patient journey mapping, and stakeholder engagement across specialty pharmacies, distributors and wholesalers
• Gain exposure to trade and distribution channel management, including distribution agreements and fee for service contracting
• Build an understanding of the specialty pharmacy landscape including hub services models, limited distribution networks, and patient support program integration
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with marketing, legal, finance, supply chain and other partners to align trade strategy with brand access objectives

Qualifications

• 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
• Demonstrated interest in market access, trade, distribution, and/or the business side of the pharmaceutical industry through coursework, APPE/IPPE rotations, internships, or extracurricular involvement
• Familiarity with the US healthcare system, including pharmaceutical procurement processes and the evolving reimbursement and 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
• Direct retail and specialty pharmacy experience (e.g., APPE/IPPE, internship, or employment) with exposure to limited distribution networks, prior authorization, or patient onboarding workflows

Additional Information – Application Materials

Applicants should submit the following application materials by the priority deadline of October 31, 2026.

1. Curriculum vitae (CV), uploaded
2. Unofficial PharmD transcripts, uploaded
3. Cover letter, uploaded
4. Letters of Recommendation Three formal Letters of Recommendation (LORs) must be submitted directly by the letter writers no later than November 23, 2026. Each letter writer must include: The candidate's full name The fellowship program(s) to which the candidate is applying (e.g., Smith, John – Alnylam, GSK) Please ask your letter writers to complete and submit the Letter of Recommendation Form along with their recommendation. Recommendations must be submitted directly by the recommender and cannot be submitted by the applicant. Address cover letter and letters of recommendation to: J. Andrew Orr‑Skirvin, PharmD, BCOP Clinical Professor, Department of Pharmacy & Health Systems Sciences Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program Director 360 Huntington Ave, 140 The Fenway R218 Boston, MA 02115

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Northeastern University will not provide H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, or any other type of employment visa sponsorship for the successful applicant to this position, now or in the future. STEM OPT is not compatible for this position. The successful applicant must be able to maintain valid work authorization in the United States throughout the entire appointment without Northeastern University's sponsorship for a visa.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation

Grade/Pay Type: 108S Expected Hiring Range: $60,315.00 - $85,192.50. With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

About Northeastern University

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real‑world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.