Post-Doctoral Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship
Overview
The St. John's University/Forest Research Institute Fellowship takes pride in the
intimate nature of the program which enables preceptors and senior Fellows to give
the time and devotion necessary to provide each Fellow with the greatest experience
possible.
Program Objective
The two-year fellowship is designed to develop and expand the skills of the Doctor
of Pharmacy graduate to provide a foundation for a successful career in the pharmaceutical
industry. Fellows will develop a thorough understanding of the drug development
process with opportunities to identify and pursue areas of interest at Forest Research
Institute and at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, a certificate will be awarded
by St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions and Forest
Research Institute.
Eligibility for Fellowship
Fellows are chosen from a nationally competitive selection process. To be eligible,
candidates must graduate from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredited
Doctor of Pharmacy Program and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in the
pharmaceutical industry.
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Program Structure
Forest Component
Two separate two-year fellowship positions will be available, each providing the
Fellow with a solid understanding of the drug development process. One fellowship
will begin in Regulatory Affairs, and the other in Clinical Development. Both positions
provide the Fellow with the opportunity to rotate into other areas of interest during
the second year of the program.
First Year:
Regulatory Affairs
The Regulatory Affairs department serves as a liaison between the FDA and Forest
Research Institute and is responsible for maintaining a positive and productive
relationship. The fellow will acquire, through firsthand experience, a general knowledge
of the regulatory requirements for developing and marketing a new drug. This includes
the filing and maintenance of Investigational New Drug Applications (IND) and New
Drug Applications (NDA) according to federal regulations and guidances. The Fellow
will develop skills in providing the Project Team with strategic regulatory guidance
for drug development. Additionally, the Fellow’s experience will include review
of product-related promotional material for regulatory compliance.
Clinical Development
Clinical Development is responsible for the development and implementation of protocols
and clinical trials from Phase II to Phase IV. The Fellow will be exposed to a variety
of therapeutic indications, including depression and anxiety disorders, Alzheimer’s
disease, fibromyalgia, hypertension, and pulmonary disorders.
The Fellow will join a clinical team, working with other departments, including
Biostatistics, Data Management, and Field Operations, to conceptualize and implement
clinical trials of various scope and size. The Fellow will assist in the development
of protocols and trial materials, training of investigator sites, maintenance of
ongoing trials and the analysis, interpretation and reporting of clinical trials
data.
Second Year:
The Fellow will have an opportunity to pursue areas of interest in various other
departments at Forest Research Institute through rotations of 3 to 6 months in duration.
These departments include:
- Clinical Development
- Clinical Operations
- Drug Safety Surveillance
- Medical Affairs
- Medical Information
- Marketing
- New Products Market Research
- New Product Scientific Assessment
- Project Management
- Quality Assurance/Compliance
- Regulatory Affairs
External rotations with governmental agencies including the Food and Drug Administration
are also permitted. Prior to selecting rotations, the Fellow will meet with various
members from each area of FRI to discuss the operations and responsibilities of
their department. These meetings also provide the Fellow with an excellent opportunity
to network and orient themselves within the company.
St. John’s University Component
The Fellow will apply for an affiliate faculty appointment at St. John’s University
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions and will precept entry-level Doctor
of Pharmacy students who are assigned to the Forest Research Institute for experiential
training. Additionally, each Fellow will have opportunities at the University to
participate in activities to promote professional development including: presentations,
collaborative research projects with St. John’s faculty, continuing education courses,
resident and fellow seminar series within the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health
Professions. The Fellow may also take advantage of the numerous degree programs
available at the University to further his or her own educational development.
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Applying for a Fellowship
Interviews will begin at the ASHP Midyear Clinical meeting, where representatives
from St. John’s University and Forest Research Institute will be on site. Candidates
are encouraged to set up a Midyear interview in advance and may do so by contacting
Dr. Joseph Brocavich. Interested individuals should send their curriculum vitae,
official college transcript and a letter of intent describing their career objectives
(both hard copies and electronic files) to:
Joseph Brocavich, PharmD
Associate Dean for Pharmacy Programs
Associate Clinical Professor
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
St John’s University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11439
Email: brocavij@stjohns.edu
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are well acquainted with the
fellowship candidate are required. Letters should be sent directly by the referrals
to Dr. Joseph Brocavich. Please note that applications are accepted on a rolling
basis. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and letter of intent by December
15. All applications should be received by January 1 of the following year.
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