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
This two-year fellowship is designed to develop and expand the skills of the Doctor of
Pharmacy graduate to effectively practice in the pharmaceutical industry. The Fellow will
develop a broad understanding of the drug development process with opportunities to
identify and pursue areas of specific interest within a number of departments 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 ACPE accredited Doctor of Pharmacy Program and have a
keen interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry.
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 the
Regulatory Affairs Department, and the other in the Clinical Development Department. Both
positions provide the Fellow with the opportunity to rotate in other departments of
interest during the second year of the program.
First Year
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will pursue activities in either Regulatory Affairs or Clinical
Development at Forest Research Institute.
Regulatory Affairs
The Regulatory Affairs department serves as a liaison between the FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) 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 INDs and NDAs according
to federal regulations and
Clinical Development
Clinical Development is responsible for the development and implementation of
protocols and clinical trials from Phase II to Phase IV; current indications include
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 trial 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 may include:
| Business Development |
| Clinical Development |
| Clinical Operations |
| Clinical Pharmacology |
| Drug Safety Surveillance |
| Marketing |
| New Product Scientific Assessment |
| Project Management |
| Quality Assurance/Compliance |
| Regulatory Affairs |
| Therapeutic Specialist |
Prior to selecting rotations, the Fellow will meet with various members from each area 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 that 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 their own educational development.
Application
Recruitment 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.
Brocavich at brocavij@stjohns.edu. Interested individuals should send a curriculum vitae,
along with a letter of intent describing their career objectives both as a hard copy and
electronically 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 very familiar with the fellowship
candidate are required and should be sent directly by the referrals to Dr. Joseph
Brocavich. Please note that applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to submit a curriculum vitae and letter of intent as soon as possible
after the Midyear meeting, preferably before January 1.
|