Associate/Consulting Associate (Life Sciences practice) - PhD required

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.

Position Overview

CRA’s Life Sciences Practice helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices and digital health companies achieve optimum performance across key aspects of their business including commercial strategy, pricing and access, innovation, organisation structure, policy analysis, medical affairs, stakeholder management, 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 organisations, and advocacy groups.

Our dedicated Life Sciences Practice brings clarity and solutions to complex challenges. Clients turn to us when they need to make the right decision, implement it the right way, and secure buy-in from key stakeholders. Their trust in us is rooted in our emphatic focus on clients and specifically our hands-on life sciences experience, in-depth sector knowledge, from R&D to market entry and beyond and strong academic credentials in science, economics, and business.

The CRA Life Sciences team operates from offices across the United States and Europe to provide insights on global issues and local market challenges, allowing ease of access for our clients.

Joining the Life Sciences Practice at CRA will provide you with a unique opportunity to develop your knowledge of healthcare globally. As an integral member of the team, you will help us deliver to our clients high-impact solutions that are implementable and make a difference. We provide professional development and mentoring that will give you access to our global practice where you can get exposure to colleagues from across our offices and gain experience across a wide range of geographies, therapy areas, aspects of the industry and projects.

CRA’s academically rigorous and intellectually curious culture means the skills and experiences offered by PhDs are highly valued. Candidates with PhDs will join our London or Cambridge Office during 2026 (flexible start dates) as Associates/Consulting Associates, and strong performers will have the opportunity for rapid career progression.  

Associates/Consulting Associates are curious and analytical thinkers who bring creative approaches to non-standard problems. They will be a part of an integrated team that executes and delivers across a wide variety of consulting projects. Typical responsibilities may include:

• Work closely with senior colleagues to deliver strategy and/or policy and economic consulting projects that address specific client needs;
• Conduct independent research to identify, collect, manage and analyse qualitative insights and quantitative data;
• Contribute to internal discussions that build insights from the analytical process and integrating findings into broader project deliverables;
• Conduct telephone or face-to-face interviews with clients or external stakeholders;
• Assume responsibility for generating sections of client reports, presentations and other client deliverables (e.g. Excel workbooks) whilst under the supervision of senior team members;
• Proactively develop knowledge of the life sciences industry as well as consulting methodologies;
• Participate in practice-building activities (training, recruiting, publication, expertise sharing, etc.).

Desired Qualifications

• PhD degree with strong academic performance from a top-tier institution (minimum 2:1) with focused study in biological sciences, economics (or related subjects including business, health economics and policy, public policy), physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or another quantitative discipline
  • Candidates with relevant post-PhD work experience may be considered for the Consulting Associate title; 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel), plus an understanding of how to conduct internet research – experience with statistical software such as Stata and SAS helpful;
• Experience with, or keen interest in, the Life Sciences industry and healthcare;
• Understanding of economic concepts and business processes, as well as familiarity with essential consulting methodologies, tools and techniques is very helpful;
• Effective written communication and oral presentation English skills (additional languages helpful);
• Strong self-management (detail orientation, effective time management, ability to prioritise);
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and leadership;
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration capabilities;
• Clear and demonstrated interest in consulting through coursework, work experience, activities, or attendance at CRA recruiting events;
• CRA is proud of our ability to manage work/life balance; some client travel is inevitable, however, so willingness and ability to undertake periodic travel to clients is necessary.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, submit the following items:

• Resume/Curriculum vitae – please include current address, personal email and telephone number;
• Covering letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals. Also, please note if you have a particular location preference (Cambridge or London). Your cover letter should be no more than one page, and presented in a clear, professional manner. Please ensure your cover letter answers the following questions: 
  • Why life sciences consulting, and why CRA?
  • What is an example of a time when you made a data-guided decision?
  • Which experience from your resume/CV are you most proud of and why?

The priority application window will close in mid-February, and you are encouraged to submit your documents as early as possible. Start dates are flexible during 2026.

Career Growth and Benefits

• CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognise that individuals realise a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently ask that individuals spend 3 to 4 days a week on average working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to a client's location), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Charles River Associates is an Equality Act 2010 employer. As part of our focus on equity and inclusion, we work to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

The statements included in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.