Research Director

Public Citizen serves as the people’s voice in the nation’s capital. Since 1971 we have proudly championed citizen interests before Congress, the executive branch agencies and the courts. We have successfully challenged the abusive practices of the pharmaceutical, nuclear and automobile industries, and many others.Public Citizen’s access to medicines group challenges the drug corporations’ monopoly power to ensure access to medicine for everyone, everywhere. We analyze news, build coalitions, strategize, organize and provide technical assistance to partners across the United States and around the world. We help develop new policy and legislation. We are making medicine more affordable, including by defending and working to expand Medicare price negotiation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION: The Research Director reviews legislation, academic literature and policy developments, and produces reports, analysis and expert testimony. The Research Director identifies lines of research that support advocacy goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Research Director’s responsibilities may include:

• Provide technical assistance to partners including public agencies and civil society organizations, among others.
• Write reports and analysis regarding new developments in access to medicines policy and pharmaceutical business practice, ensuring high standards of clarity, accuracy and logical argument. File freedom of information requests, comments to agencies or testimony to legislatures as required.
• Develop strategic research agendas in priority areas related to pharmaceutical law and policy in cooperation with the group Director.
• Analyze and suggest improvements to legislation. Draft proposed legislation.
• Supervise complex research projects involving staff, fellows, interns and allies.
• Represent Public Citizen and the group’s strategic interests in discussions with partner organizations. Speak at public events and to the press.
• Help draft grant proposals and grant reports.
• Recruit and supervise staff and interns in coordination with the group director.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge: Subject matter expertise required. This may include access to medicines, prescription drug pricing and pricing policy, health systems (state, federal or international), intellectual property, procurement, contracts and licensing, health rights and health justice among others.
• Work Experience: Seven years post-graduate professional experience or equivalent required. Advocacy experience preferred.
• Skills: Excellent research, writing and analysis skills required. Advanced research skills required. Excellent communications, strategy and advocacy skills preferred. Cross-cultural facility and language skills preferred.
• Capabilities: Ability to work alone and in collaboration; ability to supervise research projects; attention to detail and technical accuracy; discretion and sound judgment; ability to envision project development and complete work on deadline; commitment to standing up to corporate power; flexibility and ability to respond quickly to new developments.
• Conditions: Passion for the subject matter and for research; commitment to advancing the public interest; good humor.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Competitive salary dependent on relevant experience and qualifications and generous benefits package. Public Citizen staff are represented by SEIU Local 500 and our salaries are set according to our collective bargaining agreement. Public Citizen does not negotiate salaries. This is a one-year grant contingent position. Salary range $105,789 – $129,080Benefits include:

• Great medical and dental coverage, including full coverage for children
• Three weeks’ paid vacation for new employees, plus five personal days
• 401K plan with a 5% contribution from PC after one year of employment
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
• Paid Sabbatical after 8 years of employment
• Student loan reimbursement program

TO APPLY: Applicants should send a statement of interest in the position, a resume or CV, a writing sample edited by no one other than the applicant, and two or more references to pmaybarduk@citizen.org . People of color and representatives of other underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

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