Careers
Ph.D. Fellowship
Worldwide Medical Ph.D. Fellowship
Biogen’s two-year Ph.D. fellowship in Worldwide Medical (WWM) provides recent doctoral graduates a hands-on opportunity to learn the ins and outs of medical affairs and the pharmaceutical industry within the walls of a cutting-edge biotech company. The fellowship serves as an accelerated and practical introduction to a career in medical affairs.
Fellowship Overview
During the first year, fellows will explore the different functional areas within WWM through a series of four three-month long rotational experiences. One of these four rotations may be outside of WWM to foster a broader understanding of our cross-functional partners and how they collaborate with and fit into the greater organization.
During the second year, fellows will pick an area of concentration within WWM to prepare them for a continued career in the biopharmaceutical industry. View additional details on the structure of the fellowship in the FAQ below.
“The Worldwide Medical Ph.D. fellowship at Biogen is a unique opportunity for motivated graduates looking to apply their skills outside of the lab — one I wish had existed when I was completing my studies. On behalf of myself and Biogen, I’m thrilled that we can now offer this exciting alternative career path into the biopharmaceutical industry.”
Ramon Iovin, Ph.D., Fellowship Director
What Is Medical Affairs?
At Biogen, the mission of Worldwide Medical is to inform real-world medical practice and improve patient outcomes by generating and delivering clear, timely, and clinically relevant information.
Worldwide Medical is responsible for providing patients, healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, and other key stakeholders with the latest scientific evidence on Biogen therapies. To that end, the function engages in several business-critical activities, including:
- Designing and conducting post-approval clinical studies and real-world data generation efforts.
- Managing scientific publications and creating supporting medical communications materials to foster scientific exchange.
- Planning and oversight of Biogen’s presence at scientific conferences.
- Addressing product-related questions from patients and healthcare providers.
- Cultivating relationships and scientific exchange with key medical experts.
- Providing medical education to both internal and external audiences, including field medical teams and healthcare providers.
How to Apply
The fellowship enrolls a new cohort annually in July. Applications for the fellowship may be submitted between January 1 and March 31.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Those who wish to apply for the fellowship should:
- Be enrolled in a doctoral program in the biological or physical sciences with plans to defend prior to the mid-July start date.
- Have interest in a potential career in the industry and a fast-paced work environment.
- Have talent in relationship-building and working collaboratively.
- Have aptitude for gathering, interpreting, and communicating complex scientific information.
- Have strong organizational, project management, and execution skills.
- Have demonstrated leadership and/or teaching experience.
Recent Ph.D. graduates as well as current postdoctoral fellows are welcome to apply for the fellowship. International students with US work authorization are also eligible to apply for the program.
Unfortunately, the fellowship is unable to sponsor visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US for the entire length of the two-year fellowship.
After the application deadline, select applicants will be contacted for phone interviews. Prospective candidates will then be invited for final-round interviews, which involve speaking with Biogen Worldwide Medical employees and giving a brief research talk. Offers will be made in the late spring or early summer. New fellows start annually in mid-July.
All candidates should have successfully defended prior to the mid-July start date. Rare exceptions may be made for defense dates that are near the date of enrollment.
Year 1: Core Rotation 1 > Core Rotation 2 > Core Rotation 3 > Elective Rotation
Core WWM Rotations may include:
- Scientific Communications (Medical Communications & Publications)
- Medical Director’s Office
- Medical Information
- Congress Excellence
- Medical Operations & Effectiveness
- Medical Training
Optional Elective Rotation may include:
- Value & Access
- Commercial Marketing
- Clinical Development
- Business Development
- Supply Chain Management
- Safety & Regulatory Sciences
- Customer & Market Insights
- Digital Health
Year 2: Longitudinal Rotation
A yearlong immersive experience among the core medical rotation options.
Yes, the fellowship is a paid position, with competitive salary and benefits.
The fellowship is based at Biogen’s global headquarters located in Cambridge, MA, USA.
The program director(s) will provide fellows guidance on available rotation opportunities and supervisors. Final selections will be made based on a mutual interest on the part of the fellow and supervisor as well as business needs.
Fellows are full members of the global medical affairs organization. They contribute to the breadth of business-critical projects and workstreams for which their teams are responsible.
Graduating fellows are uniquely attractive to prospective employers and have matriculated to a variety of medical affairs and other roles within the industry. The program has a high internal retention rate, with many fellows transitioning directly to full-time positions at Biogen.
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