[Hiring] Post-Doctoral Fellow, Behavioral Science Consortium @Astellas Pharma

Role Description

The Post-doctoral Fellow, Behavioral Science Consortium (BSC) is a 2 year contract position, will support the organization in understanding and implementing insights from behavioral science to improve health outcomes for patients. The fellow will provide support to different teams within Astellas, including Medical Affairs and Research and Development, by researching and synthesizing behavioral science findings and translating them into actionable insights. The fellow will also help align the BSC’s services with those of the other Patient Centricity teams to ensure that the offerings to the organization are cohesive and complementary.

• Collaborate with internal Astellas teams (e.g., Medical, Commercial, Regional and Global Business Units) to support the integration of behavioral science insights into strategic initiatives.
• Work with the BSC Faculty (external academic experts) to apply concepts from behavioral economics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and related disciplines to real-world healthcare challenges.
• Assist in the development of behavioral science-informed research questions and contribute to the design and execution of project-based work in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct and synthesize secondary research (e.g., literature reviews) to inform internal decision-making and support the development of patient-, caregiver-, and provider-centered insights.
• Support the development of educational content and resources (e.g., curriculum, workshops) that build internal capabilities in behavioral science.
• Help translate behavioral science insights into practical tools and resources that address specific patient needs.
• Assist in the development of research instruments (e.g., surveys, interview guides) and support qualitative or thematic data analysis.
• Coordinate project logistics and timelines across matrixed teams, ensuring effective communication and alignment with stakeholders.

The Fellow will support the execution of project-based work and contribute to curriculum development and delivery. Success in this role will be measured by:

• Quality and timeliness of project coordination and execution
• Clarity and usefulness of research summaries and deliverables
• Number and complexity of projects and educational resources supported
• Impact of insights on internal decision-making

Performance will be assessed through regular feedback cycles (ongoing, mid-year, and end-of-year), with additional evaluation methods (e.g., stakeholder feedback) used as appropriate.

Qualifications

• PhD in a behavioral or social science discipline (e.g., behavioral economics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, public health, applied behavioral science)
• Demonstrated interest in applying behavioral science to real-world health challenges
• Ability to independently conduct and synthesize secondary research (e.g., literature reviews) on short timelines (4–6 weeks)
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to non-academic audiences
• Experience managing multiple projects and timelines in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
• Proven ability to collaborate across diverse teams and build consensus
• Strategic thinking and operational coordination skills
• High level of empathy and cultural sensitivity
• Comfort with ambiguity, iteration, and experimentation
• Adherence to Department and Company Codes of Conduct
• Commitment to Astellas’ values of Innovation, Integrity, and Impact, and demonstration of Astellas’ behaviors such as Courage, Accountability, and Outcome Focus

Requirements

• At least 1 year of experience in consulting, behavioral science, or patient-facing work (e.g., healthcare delivery, non-profit, commercial, or brand management)
• Experience with design thinking or human-centered design
• Experience presenting behavioral science work to non-academic audiences
• International or cross-cultural experience

Location and Working Environment

This position is based in Northbrook, IL. Remote work from anywhere in the US is available.

At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance