Research Assistant Health & Life Sciences

About us:

Access Partnership is the frontier consultancy getting innovation into market faster across technology, AI, Space and Health. With over 150 experts across six continents, we help clients in government, private sector and industry navigate complex regulatory, policy and communications challenges for the benefit of society.

Complex problems don't sit in silos and neither do we. Delivering frontier innovation into market takes a team of specialists that get you from concept to diffusion. Our architects of innovation - from strategists, economists, engineers, physicians to lawyers - work as one team to deliver technology into market for the benefit of society.

Location: Washington, D.C.
Department: Health & Life Sciences
Working arrangement: Hybrid
Employment type: Fixed-term, full-time
Duration: Approximately five months

About the Health & Life Sciences Practice

Access Partnership’s Health & Life Sciences practice advises pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, industry associations, and other healthcare stakeholders on public policy, regulatory affairs, market access, and global health priorities.

We help clients understand evolving policy environments, engage effectively with government and multilateral institutions, and develop strategies to advance their business and public policy objectives. Our work spans a range of health policy issues, including healthcare innovation, pharmaceutical policy, patient access, health systems strengthening, digital health, and international health cooperation.

The practice works across domestic and international policy environments, combining rigorous research, strategic analysis, coalition-building, stakeholder engagement, and the delivery of high-quality client engagements and policy events.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and intellectually curious Research Assistant Health & Life Sciences to support client projects, policy research, international health policy coalitions, and stakeholder engagement activities while contributing to the growth of our Health & Life Sciences practice in Washington, D.C.

This is a fixed-term, full-time paid opportunity designed for a recent university graduate or a current or recent master's student interested in health policy, public policy, life sciences, market access, or international affairs. The Research Fellow will work alongside experienced consultants on substantive client assignments, gaining practical experience in policy research, industry analysis, policy coalitions, advocacy, strategic communications, project management, and event delivery.

Responsibilities may include background research, policy analysis, coalition coordination, stakeholder mapping, briefing materials, meeting preparation, logistical coordination, stakeholder communications, and on-site event support.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable conducting detailed desk research, drafting polished written materials, coordinating events, and engaging professionally with colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders. A willingness to support engagements outside the immediate Washington, D.C. area, including occasional domestic or international travel when required, is important.

This fellowship offers an opportunity to build practical consulting skills, develop expertise at the intersection of healthcare and public policy, and contribute directly to client work. Strong performers may be considered for a permanent entry-level position at the conclusion of the fellowship, subject to performance, business needs, and available budget.

What You Will Be Doing

Research and Analysis

• Monitor U.S. and international health policy, regulatory, and political developments relevant to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

• Conduct desk research on healthcare systems, public health priorities, pharmaceutical policy, market access, health innovation, and related topics.

• Develop concise research summaries, policy briefs, stakeholder profiles, landscape assessments, and other analytical materials to inform client decision-making.

International Health Policy Coalitions and Advocacy

• Conduct research on global health priorities, international policy frameworks, and government positions to inform coalition strategies and advocacy activities.

• Assist with the development of policy recommendations, advocacy materials, briefing documents, stakeholder mapping, and other outputs to advance shared policy objectives.

• Support coordination with coalition members and external stakeholders, including preparing meeting agendas, documenting discussions, tracking action items, and following up on agreed activities.

Client Engagements and Event Support

• Support the planning, preparation, coordination, and delivery of domestic and international client engagements, including policy dialogues, roundtables, official meetings, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder consultations.

• Assist with event logistics, including scheduling, participant coordination, invitations, registration, venue arrangements, virtual meeting setup, and preparation of event materials.

Teamwork and Professional Development

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Health & Life Sciences practice and, where appropriate, other teams across Access Partnership.

• Participate in project discussions, share research findings, and seek feedback to strengthen analytical and consulting skills.

• Maintain organized research records, documentation, and project materials in accordance with team processes and quality standards.

• Demonstrate flexibility, professionalism, and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced consulting environment.

What You Will Bring

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in healthcare policy and the life sciences industry, excellent research and writing skills, strong organizational abilities, and a proactive approach to supporting client engagements.

Prior experience in health policy, public health, international affairs, public affairs, government, consulting, research, advocacy, or event coordination is desirable but not essential.

Candidates should be willing to support events and client engagements that may take place outside standard business hours, as well as occasional domestic or international travel when required.

What We Offer

The Health & Life Sciences Research Fellowship offers hands-on experience in policy consulting and an opportunity to contribute directly to client work in a global public policy consultancy.

During the fellowship, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work on substantive projects for clients across the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

• Develop practical skills in policy research, analytical writing, strategic communications, coalition-building, and consulting.

• Gain first-hand experience supporting international health policy coalitions, advocacy initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.

• Support policy dialogues, roundtables, official meetings, conferences, and other domestic and international engagements.

• Learn from experienced professionals working at the intersection of healthcare, industry, and government.

This is a paid, fixed-term, full-time fellowship.