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Life Sciences Symposium (PhD & M.D.)

Boston, MA

The CRA Life Sciences Symposium (previously PhD Symposium) is a highly selective program designed to introduce PhD, Postdocs, & M.D. students to a career in life sciences consulting. We seek participants pursuing a PhD in the physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, or a closely related field, or M.D.

Through workshops, panel discussions, and interactive case studies, you will learn about life in consulting and how you can put your PhD to great use at CRA. Click here to watch a short video about the program.

Apply for the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the variety of consulting projects that CRA engages in across our clients;
  • Discover how skills developed during your PhD and M.D. programs are translated to help solve problems facing our clients in the life sciences industry;
  • Engage in complex problem-solving exercises with bright minds; collaborate; research; conduct insightful analysis and deduction;
  • Immerse yourself in CRA’s learning culture and participate in training workshops to enhance your skills;
  • Discover what CRA looks for when recruiting and selecting top candidates;
  • Network with hiring managers, experienced consultants with advanced degrees from a variety of disciplines, and fellow participants.

Additionally, all selected participants are guaranteed a first-round interview for a full-time position. 

Program logistics

  • The two-day intensive program will take place in our Boston headquarters in late July/early August 2025 
  • CRA will pay for lodging and travel expenses within the US and from Canada 

Eligible participants are:

  • Pursuing a PhD or postdoc in the physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, or a closely related field, or M.D.
  • Aiming to pursue a full-time consulting career in 2026
  • Seriously considering a career in life sciences consulting
  • We encourage applications from across the US and Canada; we will be recruiting for full-time positions for our offices in Boston, Chicago, New York, Oakland (CA), Summit (NJ), and Toronto

To apply

To be considered, please submit a resume, a cover letter, and a paper or abstract, if you have one. The writing sample should focus on your research interests; your cover letter should explain your interest in life sciences consulting and CRA.

Successful applicants will be invited to a virtual interview that will focus on your previous experience, your interest in consulting, and fit with the team. CRA will also be hosting an information session and Q&A forum on May 20. To register for this Q&A session, please click here.

The closing date for applications is May 25, 2025. 

About Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns.

CRA’s Life Sciences practice helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical device companies achieve optimum performance across key aspects of their business, including innovation, commercial success, organization, and reputation, all for the long-term benefit of patients, clinicians, employees, and shareholders. We work with life sciences businesses directly as well as with their legal counsel, industry associations, government organizations, and advocacy groups from the earliest stages of research into new therapy areas, through product development, to the delivery of products that will achieve commercial success and fulfill the expectations of our clients and their key stakeholders. Click here to find out what consultants do at CRA and hear from recent PhD hires why they chose to join.

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

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