FAQs

The Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships are intended for candidates who will have completed their Doctor of Pharmacy degree before they would be expected to start the fellowship (on July 1). This program is not exclusive to recent graduates. PharmDs with various types of experience are welcome to apply. However, the program is not open to holders of any other advanced degree, except for MDs, please visit the Physician Fellowships page to learn more.

There are over 250 Rutgers University Pharmaceutical Industry fellows this year. Since its inception the program has steadily grown, starting out with a single fellow and reaching a number many times the size of the original group.

Applicants must be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited school of pharmacy. No other professional experience is required for application. International students who graduate with a PharmD degree from US ACPE-accredited schools are eligible to apply for 1-year programs only and are required to apply for an Optional Practice Training (OPT) extension as soon as the law permits.

The Industry Fellowships positions are based at various locations spanning the state of New Jersey, New York City, Washington, DC, and also a few locations in California. Travel to Rutgers is necessary to attend/present Professional Development Days and to participate in other aspects of the Rutgers component, including teaching.

Rotations have been a key element of the enduring success of the Rutgers programs. Many fellows have the opportunity to experience rotations outside of their core department or even at a site external to their host company such as the FDA, provided that it can be agreed upon by the fellow, their preceptor, and Rutgers.

This Fellowship program offers many opportunities for fellows. Program alumni have gone on to occupy a diverse spectrum of industry positions, based on their experience and career goals. Many fellows accept positions with their Fellowship company; others move on to pursue other interests, but nearly all program alumni are currently employed in the pharmaceutical industry.

There are many opportunities to meet and network with other fellows. The Professional Development Series is an excellent opportunity for interaction among fellows. Furthermore, a wide array of social activities and events are arranged at least monthly for fellows from different companies to network and get to know each other.

The Rutgers component is the same for both 1-year and 2-year fellows. In order to satisfy requirements for the Rutgers component and qualify for a Certificate of Completion, all 2-year fellows and 1-year fellows must complete one of the following during the term of their Fellowship:

• Complete a project or publication (poster/paper/article) with a Rutgers faculty member
• Lecture 3 times in Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP) courses
• Coordinate an EMSOP course
• Serve as a co-chief fellow
• Chair a fellowship committee
• Complete a rotation at an EMSOP teaching/clinical site
• Precept EMSOP pharmacy students on rotation at the host company
• Complete a project that enhances or benefits the Rutgers program

Each case is reviewed individually and must be approved by the fellow, the preceptor, and Rutgers. In addition, other aspects of the Rutgers component include attendance at monthly Professional Development Days and presenting once annually at a Professional Development Day program. Fellows also have the opportunity to teach, serve on various Fellowship committees, conduct continuing education programs, participate in various projects, and attend social events.

Participation in the Professional Development Series is mandatory, although under appropriate circumstances, up to 3 absences per year are permitted. Fellows are required to give 1 presentation to their colleagues on an approved topic per year. Some fellows volunteer for additional presentation opportunities.

As adjunct faculty at the School of Pharmacy, there are opportunities for fellows to teach. Fellows find that teaching can enhance their fellowship experience. Fellows have been involved in development of various required and elective courses.

As a Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow, you will have the best of both worlds: academia and industry. Academia affords you the opportunity to teach elective and core courses, to conduct clinical research and submit papers in conjunction with members of the faculty, and participate in numerous other opportunities based on your creativity. During training, some fellows have the opportunity to attend national or international meetings and seminars, and all have access to many of the resources available at a multinational company.

Vacation days are consistent with the policy at the partner company.

All benefits and investment plans are provided by Rutgers University, which participates in the New Jersey State Employee Benefits Program.

Yes. Candidates for the Physician Fellowship Program must have either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

Clinical experience (such as a completed residency or fellowship) is preferred and for some of the Physician Fellowship positions, it is required. We are seeking physicians with completed residencies in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics or completed fellowships in hematology, oncology, rheumatology/immunology, cardiology, or infectious disease. Please consult the specific position descriptions.

The RPIF Physician Fellowship Program was initiated in 2018. We have 4 physician alumni who have completed the Program, and 5 current Physician Fellows. The Rutgers Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships is the largest and most experienced provider of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Fellowships in the Industry and currently has approximately 300 Fellowships in partnership with 21 Pharmaceutical/Drug Development companies on both the east and west coasts.

No. Candidates for the Pharm.D Fellowship positions must have a Pharm.D. from an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy.

Physicians who obtained their MD or DO degree from medical schools outside of the US are eligible to apply. Clinical experience (such as a completed residency or fellowship) is preferred and for some of the Physician Fellowship positions, it is required. If candidates receive an offer, they must provide proof of eligibility to work/train in the U.S. for the duration of the Fellowship Program. Please refer to the FAQs regarding International Candidates.

While a certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is preferred, it is not required.

An applicant for the Pharm.D. Fellowship Program must be a graduate of a U.S. ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy by July 1^st of the Fellowship term.  Applicants for the Physician Fellowship Program must hold a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.  If candidates receive an offer, they must provide proof of eligibility to work/train in the U.S. for the duration of the Fellowship Program. International students who graduate with a PharmD from a US ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy are eligible to apply for a Fellowship for which they would have eligibility to work/train for the duration of the Fellowship.

International students who graduate with a PharmD from a US ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy are eligible to apply for a Fellowship for which they would have eligibility to work/train for the duration of the Fellowship.  For example, if a candidate is eligible to work/train in the U.S. for 1-year, then they should apply for 1-year Fellowships.

Fellows may apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) with their F-1 sponsoring institution. If you are currently sponsored by an institution outside of Rutgers, please work with your International Adviser to apply for Optional Practical Training. Rutgers does not sponsor fellowship candidates for work-based visas.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

Please refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and your institution’s website regarding Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students:  https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students

Depending on degree received, you may be eligible for an additional 24-months of Optional Practical Training. Please contact the International Adviser from your sponsoring institution to see if you are eligible.

F-1 International Students must work with their sponsoring institution to apply for Optional Practical Training as different institutions have different requirements to apply.

For general information regarding OPT, please refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website for F-1 students:  https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students

Rutgers DOES NOT sponsor any applicants for the Fellowship.  If candidates receive an offer, they must provide proof of eligibility to work/train in the U.S. for the duration of the Fellowship Program.

Due to requirements of the Food and Drug Administration, a Post-Doctoral Fellow must be a US citizen in order to rotate at the FDA.