Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pharmaceutical Law and Policy Research (2026)

Posted by Angela Zito on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 in Job Opportunities .

The Program On Regulation, Therapeutics, And Law (PORTAL) in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics within the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School invites applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pharmaceutical Law and Policy Research

Established in 2012, PORTAL is one of the nation’s largest non-industry-funded academic research centers dedicated to investigating the economic, legal, and clinical challenges of medication use, regulation, and cost. Our vibrant community of more than 15 research fellows, trainees, and staff, led by five renowned Harvard Medical School faculty, brings together expertise in medicine, law, economics, ethics, and health policy to conduct rigorous research to inform policymaking. PORTAL is based in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an interdisciplinary, 90-member research hub that, since 1998, has focused on advancing our understanding of and improving prescription drug safety and effectiveness.

The PORTAL Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pharmaceutical Law and Policy is a paid research fellowship designed to prepare talented scholars for careers in law, public policy, or public health, with a specific focus on prescription medication use, regulation, and affordability. Previous fellows have been successful in transitioning to jobs in academia, government, and private practice. Fellows are expected to design, conduct, publish, and present original research during their fellowship term. Topics include FDA drug or device regulation; intellectual property relating to prescription drugs; ethical issues in medical product markets; therapeutic comparative and cost-effectiveness research; prescription drug coverage and access; health insurance design and care delivery related to prescription drugs; evidence-based prescribing; and competition in the pharmaceutical market. During the fellowship, fellows will receive close mentorship from our faculty and have the opportunity interact with policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders. Fellow-led PORTAL research is also routinely cited in the media and by policymakers, providing additional career development opportunities. This position is benefits-eligible, with an annual salary usually in the range of $70,000-$80,000 based on post-graduate year and experience, per the FY26 Mass General Brigham Research Fellow Salary Scale

Applications are invited from researchers with doctoral degrees (PhD, JD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent) or who will complete such training by September 1, 2026. Fellowship start date and length will vary depending on the candidate (1-year minimum, typically 2 years). For international applicants, visa sponsorship may be available. Fellows are expected to live in the Boston area for the duration of the fellowship.

To apply, please submit the following materials via the linked application form (https://form.jotform.com/252916475545163 ) by 11:59pm ET on December 15, 2025:

1. a cover letter describing your past work, ideas for research you’d like to do in the fellowship, and career goals;
2. a CV; and
3. a writing sample, such as a published paper you took the lead in writing or an excerpt from a course assignment.

Select candidates will be contacted regarding the next steps after the submission deadline. Please contact Matt Martin at mmartin55@bwh.harvard.edu with any questions.

Tags: Job Posting: Postdoc