UCB's Global Corporate Website
Welcome to UCB in the United States

U.S. PharmD Fellowships

    

UCB, in collaboration with the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO), offers two-year fellowship programs for PharmD graduates with the opportunity to learn and gain experience within the biopharmaceutical industry under the mentorship of experienced preceptors:
 

  • Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance 
  • Global Regulatory Affairs
  • Medical Affairs - Immunology
  • Global Clinical Sciences & Operations
  • Global Medical Affairs
     


The fellowships at UCB offers a unique opportunity to work in an environment that is patient-focused, creative, flexible, and agile, with an exciting and promising pipeline. 

View Our Program Brochure

Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellowship

Recruiting 1 Fellow

The Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellowship at UCB provides Fellows with a broad and comprehensive experience in all aspects of Pharmacovigilance. Fellows have a unique opportunity to participate in and lead global initiatives that focus on ensuring the safety of patients and leveraging safety data to enable informed decision making that builds a robust foundation for an impactful career in Pharmacovigilance.

The fellowship is purposefully designed with rotations that enable the Fellows to have end-to-end experience across the various aspects of Pharmacovigilance. The Fellow will begin by establishing a fundamental understanding of how safety data is captured and processed and then be immersed in sub-functions that support the overall patient safety process to gain working knowledge of how the safety data are assessed and utilized to support decision making around the benefit / risk balance of compounds. This includes working with a global Safety Lead to apply Pharmacovigilance principles to one or more compounds. Additionally, the Fellow will gain working experience in Medical Device Safety and Surveillance. The fellowship also includes built-in time for 2 elective rotations for the Fellows to gain broader exposure and further explore opportunities of their choice, including areas outside of patient safety.
 

Global Regulatory Affairs Fellowship

Recruiting 1 Fellow

The Global Regulatory Affairs Fellowship provides Fellows with the depth and breadth of experience with all aspects of Regulatory Affairs to successfully position them for a career as a uniquely well-rounded Regulatory professional. During the rotations within the sub-functions of Regulatory Affairs, the Fellows are assigned to work with the Regulatory Science Lead for one or more compounds, including pipeline and marketed products, ensuring that the chosen projects offer the greatest learning opportunity and exposure to FDA and other global regulatory health authorities. Additionally, the longitudinal exposure to Regulatory Operations throughout the two-year fellowship provides the Fellows with a holistic view of submission and project management. Lastly, the Fellows have an opportunity for a three-month elective in a functional area of their choice, outside of Regulatory Affairs, to allow them to gain additional insights from the outside in.
 

Medical Affairs - Immunology Fellowship

Recruiting 2 Fellows

The Medical Affairs – Immunology Fellowship focuses on opportunities to learn, experience, and lead various activities involved within the dynamic functions within a Medical Affairs organization. Fellows will utilize their first year to learn how medical affairs strategies are implemented and executed within the umbrella of the overall product life cycle, interacting with various departments such as Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR)/Real World Evidence (RWE), and Clinical Development. The uniqueness of the UCB Medical Affairs – Immunology Fellowship is that it allows for optional rotations in the second year to various roles within Medical Affairs such as Medical Information, Medical Communications and Field Medical Operations & Strategy. This flexibility in the second year of the program allows for Fellows to gain broad experiences that will develop them into a well-rounded Medical Affairs professional.    

 

Global Clinical Sciences & Operations Fellowship

Recruiting 2 Fellows

Global Clinical Sciences & Operations (GCSO) at UCB aspires to deliver UCB’s pipeline projects with top in the industry cycle times, strong patient focus, and innovative technologies. From efficient planning to delivery of clinical trials of assigned products, to successful regulatory submissions for approval, GCSO is focused on the successful delivery of patient-preferred studies, thereby bringing value to our study participants and the global community. 

The GCSO Fellowship will provide the Fellow with the unique opportunity to acquire in-depth end-to-end knowledge of the fundamentals of clinical trial operations. The 2-year Fellowship is designed to provide the Fellow with a variety of engaging rotational experiences to grow their knowledge and understanding of the many cross-functional teams required to execute highly rigorous clinical studies with high quality, within ambitious timelines, and ultimately providing value to our patients. 

Global Medical Affairs

Not Recruiting for 2025-2027 Fellowship Term

The Global Medical Affairs Fellowship focuses on opportunities to learn, experience, and lead various activities involved in the dynamic functions of a global medical affairs organization. Fellows will utilize their time to learn how medical affairs strategies are developed, implemented, and executed across the different indications that make up the global medical affairs team. Fellows will learn to work collaboratively and cross-functionally across regions while considering global needs.

The uniqueness of the UCB Global Medical Affairs Fellowship is that it allows the fellow the opportunity to learn and work in a truly global environment. Working in global medical affairs is uniquely rewarding, involving international collaboration to address medical challenges, bridge research, and real-world practices, and ensure global access to cutting-edge treatments. The fellow can expect to engage with diverse stakeholders, gaining insights into various healthcare systems and regulatory landscapes, requiring adaptability and deep medical expertise. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a positive impact on global healthcare. Additionally, the option to select an elective within or outside of medical affairs will allow the fellow to learn about another area of interest.
 

Want to Learn More?

If you are interested in learning more about the UCB Fellowship Program, we will be conducting informational webinars on September 19 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST and October 2 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST which students can sign up for here: 

  • September 19th Webinar – Meet the Fellowship Program Directors and current Fellows and learn more about the program: Click here to register.
  • October 2nd Webinar – Meet our current Fellows and learn more about the program from their perspective: Click here to register. 
     

Save the Dates

Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellows

1st Year Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellow

“The UCB Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellowship Program offers fellows an outstanding opportunity to gain comprehensive exposure to the fundamentals and develop the skills needed to become a top-tier safety professional. The program ensures great visibility with the leadership team and a robust support system to ensure each fellow’s success. Additionally, the program gives fellows opportunities to lead and contribute to significant projects, further enhancing their technical expertise and leadership skills. This enriching experience has been instrumental in shaping my career and professional growth. I am confident that UCB is preparing me to excel in the field.” – Maria Reji

2nd Year Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellow

“The Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellowship program here at UCB will provide me with the skillset and fundamentals to be a well-versed pharmacovigilance scientist as I rotate through different areas of pharmacovigilance. This program is incredibly unique giving fellows' exposure to medical device safety and surveillance along with international pharmacovigilance. UCB is the epitome of a patient-centric company; they are committed to the well-being of patients which creates a dynamic atmosphere to learn and grow. Fellows have the opportunity to take on and lead projects and also gain mentorship from experienced professionals. In addition, the IPhO component allows for fellows to gain professional development opportunities.” – Collins Kofi Asamoah

 

Global Regulatory Affairs Fellows

1st Year Global Regulatory Affairs Fellow

“UCB’s Global Regulatory Affairs Fellowship stands out distinctly in post-doctoral training, offering unique opportunities through diverse rotations. These rotations empower fellows to lead projects while learning from world-class mentors and preceptors. The team members are enthusiastic about providing invaluable guidance and knowledge, nurturing each fellow’s growth and development. UCB’s culture exemplifies a commitment to patient-centric values, giving fellows the ability to contribute meaningfully to patients’ lives globally.” – Izzabella (Izzy) Christian

 

2nd Year Global Regulatory Affairs Fellow

“As evident by the inclusive experience and the various rotations, UCB’s Global Regulatory Affairs Fellowship is highly distinctive for post-doctoral training in this field. The program offers ample opportunity for leadership in meaningful projects, mentorship, and training with unique aspects of regulatory affairs such as devices and products for rare diseases. The diverse, welcoming, and truly patient-centered environment at UCB makes it an excellent place to learn and train to be an adaptable, impactful industry pharmacist.” – Megan Griffin

Medical Affairs -Immunology Fellows

1st Year Medical Affairs — Immunology Fellow

“A standout feature of the UCB Medical Affairs – Immunology Fellowship is the emphasis on Medical Affairs strategy. This allows Fellows to gain a well-round understanding of Medical Affairs, while allowing them to cultivate a robust skill set under the support and mentorship of experienced leadership. Additionally, the flexibility of the program empowers Fellows to directly engage in specific areas of interest allowing for further professional development. The foundation laid by this fellowship paves the way for Fellows to achieve a successful career as a Medical Affairs professional.” – Shelby Matthews 

2nd Year Medical Affairs — Immunology Fellow

“UCB and the Medical Affairs Fellowship stood out to me for its focus on developing the fellow in the strategy and execution of tactics of the medical team at a company that has a strong, patient-centered focus and a commitment to solving problems for patients with unmet needs. The rotational aspect of this fellowship allows the Fellow a breadth of experiences, while being a mid-size pharma company allows Fellows with the depth of experience I desired for my career development. Throughout the fellowship I feel that I have been supported and encouraged in every aspect to ensure that upon completion, I can be a complete, competitive, and successful Medical Affairs professional” – Aakash Patel

Global Clinical Sciences & Operations Fellows

1st Year Global Clinical Sciences & Operations Fellow

“The GSCO fellowship program plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful delivery of patient-centric clinical trials. Through hands-on experience across the entire clinical trial lifecycle, GSCO fellows develop robust competencies that prepare them to become adaptable and well-rounded leaders in their field. Moreover, the program offers abundant opportunities for leadership and professional development within a supportive environment.” – Taysir Chamem

2nd Year Global Clinical Sciences & Operations Fellow

“UCB exemplifies the perfect blend of visionary innovation and unwavering commitment to patient-centricity. The Global Clinical Sciences and Operations (GCSO) fellowship at UCB is unique as it provides a nurturing environment that fosters hands-on learning, collaboration and empowers fellows to become well rounded scientists. In addition to acquiring invaluable skills, fellows are provided the opportunities to be at the forefront of the end-to-end processes involved in designing, executing, closing out and reporting of groundbreaking clinical studies.” – Walter Ebile A.

Global Medical Affairs Fellows

1st Year Global Medical Affairs Fellow

“The distinctive framework of UCB's Global Medical Affairs Fellowship program cultivates profound expertise, fosters robust skill development, and offers extensive exposure to both global and local facets of medical affairs. The array of opportunities available is vast and supported by a strong guidance system. My experience has been immensely fulfilling, and I firmly believe that UCB is shaping me into a leader in the field.”– Joelle Odigie

 

Read More About Our Fellowship Program

How to Apply

This fellowship position may only be applied for through the IPhO FellowMatch service:
https://www.industrypharmacist.org/fm_landing.php

A letter of intent and CV should be submitted through the FellowMatch portal. 

Two letters of recommendation should be emailed to ucbpharmdfellowshipprogram@ucb.com. In the subject line of the email, please enter the functional area acronym, followed by candidate’s name.

The application deadline is October 25, 2024.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials on  FellowMatch accordingly.

Contact Information

  • Global Regulatory Affairs Fellowship: Iram Hasan (iram.hasan@ucb.com)
  • Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Safety Fellowship: Bella Sessoms (bella.sessoms@ucb.com)
  • Medical Affairs – Immunology Fellowship: Tae Oh (tae.oh@ucb.com) & Cori Cooper (cori.cooper@ucb.com)
  • Global Clinical Sciences & Operations: Amber Barnes (amber.barnes@ucb.com)
  •  Global Medical Affairs Fellowship: (Not recruiting for 2025-2027 Fellowship Term): Chioma Ezenduka (chioma.ezenduka@ucb.com)
     

Fellowship Alumni Reflections

“Over the past two years, the UCB GRA PharmD fellowship has served not just as a stepping stone but as a dynamic catalyst for my professional growth. I've steered major projects with notable autonomy and have had invaluable exposure to senior leadership and distinct networking avenues. Tailored to individual passions, the program ensured constant engagement, positioning me perfectly for UCB's upcoming opportunities. The fellowship enriched my technical know-how while significantly enhancing my soft skills, especially in areas of leadership and collaboration. Mentorship from experienced preceptors, who valued diverse thought and stressed astute decision-making, was pivotal. This journey hasn't just prepared me for an immediate role; it's charted a clear path for my expansive professional horizon.” - Jessie Kim, PharmD, MS; GRA Fellow 2021-2023; Regulatory Scientist at UCB

"The UCB Global Patient Safety PharmD Fellowship Program was a fantastic experience in terms of both personal and professional growth. The diverse range of experiences from the program's rotational aspect, coupled with the experienced mentorship available, truly provides a learning environment in which Fellows will grow and reach their goals. I am very grateful for my time in the Fellowship Program and the opportunities that have come as a result. I firmly believe this program creates world-class Patient Safety professionals and would strongly encourage interested applicants to apply.” - Aleksey Gitelson, PharmD, RPh; GPS Fellow 2021-2023; Safety Scientist at UCB

"I can confidently say that my decision to join the UCB GRA PharmD Fellowship was one of the smartest decisions I made in my early career. The passion all UCB employees share in delivering life-changing medications to those that need them most is something I have thoroughly enjoyed and contributed to during my time at the organization. In addition, fellows in this program are given top-quality experiences to foster their accelerated growth. The benefit of the UCB fellowship is that while the fellow gains excellent depth of knowledge, they also gain an important breadth of experiences due to the rotational nature of the fellowship. I am extremely grateful for the mentorship gained through this fellowship and the lifelong connections I made throughout my two years in the program. I look forward to many more at UCB!" - Nicolas James, PharmD, MBA; GRA Fellow 2020-2022; Regulatory Senior Manager at Karuna Therapeutics

"The UCB GRA PharmD Fellowship program has played an imperative role in my growth and development as a regulatory professional. The fellowship allowed me to propel my regulatory career forward in an expedited manner by providing me with a robust one-of-a-kind experience to contribute to global drug development. The experiences offered to me as I matriculated through the program were catered to my desire to be a leader in the field of regulatory affairs and allowed me to gain a unique cross-functional perspective to understand the pharmaceutical industry at large. While developing my strategic regulatory capabilities, the fellowship also allowed me to refine my soft skills and tap into my emotional intelligence. Importantly, the fellowship program has pushed me to become a strategic, inquisitive and confident regulatory professional by continuously challenging me as I completed the program. I truly value the time spent as a fellow at UCB, forging strong relationships with my team and mentors while shaping my future success in the pharmaceutical industry.” – Howraa Alasker, PharmD, RPh; GRA Fellow 2019-2021; Regulatory Senior Manager at Neurocrine

“The UCB GRA Fellowship has developed my potential as an industry professional in a multitude of ways. Being given the opportunity to cater my experience to my interests, I was able to learn more than I had imagined. I was continually challenged while having a strong support system throughout my rotations. My experiences empowered me to ask “the right” questions, approach situations strategically, and appreciate the many cross-functional perspectives that are vital to drug development at large. While my technical and strategic skill sets were developed, I also had the opportunity of building genuine relationships with my colleagues and mentors. The confidence I have been able to build to this day would not have been possible without the foundational experience I obtained from the GRA fellowship.” - Tanya Chaudhri, PharmD, MSc; GRA Fellow 2018-2020; Associate Director – Regulatory Affairs at Horizon Therapeutics

The Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance (formerly known as Global Patient Safety (GPS)) Fellowship program has been instrumental in propelling my personal and professional aspirations. It provided unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with seasoned industry leaders on innovative, high-impact projects to enhance patient safety. The program’s rotational structure offered a comprehensive experience, significantly expanding my expertise across diverse safety domains. Additionally, my elective rotation within Global Clinical Sciences and Operations (GCSO) further enriched my knowledge and broadened my scope of practice. By leveraging these opportunities and embracing challenging responsibilities, I refined the critical skills essential for success beyond the fellowship. UCB's patient-centric approach extends to their commitment in developing highly qualified emerging industry professionals. For candidates seeking a transformative experience to launch their career in the pharmaceutical industry, I highly recommend the UCB PharmD Fellowship. – Osamagbe (Osa) V. Woghiren, PharmD; MSPV Fellow 2022-2024; Principal Safety Officer at UCB

 

During my PharmD fellowship here at UCB, I was privileged to engage deeply in the regulatory affairs landscape, gaining hands-on experience that was both challenging and rewarding. I had the unique opportunity to support the regulatory activities and product launch efforts for Bimzelx, which allowed me to develop a thorough understanding of the regulatory processes essential to bringing innovative therapies to market. From drafting and reviewing regulatory submissions to collaborating with cross-functional teams, I was able to contribute meaningfully to the Bimzelx launch, while also gaining insights into the broader policy issues that impact the pharmaceutical industry. Pursuing my fellowship here at UCB was the best decision I could have made, and I look forward to continuing my career here, focused on improving access to life-changing therapies for patients. – Kevin Darko, PharmD; GRA Fellow 2022-2024; Regulatory Scientist at UCB

 

Having supported a company with such a high impact pipeline has provided pivotal learnings that I will take forward with me for the remainder of my career. The environment that UCB provides as a mid-sized pharma company, has presented unique opportunities to witness highly motivated professionals strive to synergize cross functionally and push boundaries to deliver excellence for their patients. To have developed my knowledge and skillset with these inspiring individuals has not only given me the ability to jumpstart my career, but the mindset that will allow me to tackle whatever challenges may be awaiting in my future roles within Medical Affairs. – Kelly Cheung PharmD; Medical Affairs – Immunology Fellow 2022-2024; Medical Affairs Specialist-Dermatology at UCB

UCB IN THE U.S.
U.S. INNOVATION
NEWSROOM

© 2009 - 2020 UCB, Inc., Atlanta. All rights reserved.
USPR-CORP-0115-00003(2)