Initiative Director & Senior Fellow – Life Sciences, Biopharma, and Medical Devi
Initiative Director & Senior Fellow – Life Sciences, Biopharma, and Medical Devices, Arlington, VA, United States
Position Overview
Paragon Health Institute is seeking an experienced and visionary Life Sciences Initiative Director & Senior Fellow to develop and lead a market-based policy initiative in life sciences, biopharma, and medical devices. This senior-level role will focus on developing and advocating thoughtful, ethical, and innovative policies that enhance competition, efficiency, and patient access within these critical and emerging health care sectors. The director will advance free-market principles while ensuring policies support scientific innovation, patient safety, and regulatory efficiency. Importantly for your consideration, Paragon does not accept any industry funding or payment for research.
Paragon Health Institute has become the leading voice for free market health policy, and we are looking to expand that deep expertise into life sciences, biopharma, and emerging medical technology. The Initiative Director will have the opportunity to expand Paragon’s research and strategy into key policy areas that influence the pace of scientific discovery, market-driven innovation and support the renewal of scientific discovery and medical innovation.
Cost containment in health care remains a major policy focus, but a key challenge is ensuring financial sustainability while continuing to incentivize new medical advancements. The director could conduct research into market-driven investment strategies, and policies that sustain both affordability and continued R&D growth.
Paragon wants to inform policy making of efficient regulatory pathways for scientific breakthroughs. From personalized diagnostics to next-generation therapies, the evolving regulatory landscape, and how to incorporate the latest technologies, such as AI, into the development and review of new products, presents an opportunity to explore models that balance safety, efficacy, and timely patient access.
As the government takes a more active role in shaping life sciences investments, Paragon’s Initiative Director can examine the long‑term effects of public sector decision‑making in R&D funding and market dynamics. The director could explore how to balance federal investment with private sector agility, ensuring that policies support competition, efficiency, and the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.
With a renewed commitment to putting American scientific research first, the state of public‑private partnerships (PPPs) and federal research grants also presents a growing area of policy interest. Paragon can reimagine and examine how research funding mechanisms, commercialization pathways, and industry collaborations shape the innovation ecosystem. The Director will position Paragon at the forefront of discussions on how competitive, transparent, and market‑aligned funding strategies can result in the next generation of treatments and cures.
This role offers the chance to guide Paragon’s research into the core of biomedical advancement, fostering policies that drive sustainable, market‑based innovation in health care and expand our technical capabilities for sufficient life science policy making.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership : Develop and oversee research and policy strategies that promote market‑driven solutions in biopharma, life sciences, and medical technology.
Policy Development : Craft policy recommendations, white papers, and reports that shape public discourse and influence federal and state health care regulations.
Stakeholder Engagement : Build relationships with industry leaders, policymakers, patient advocates, and research organizations to promote innovative policy solutions. Engage in strategic partnerships and speaking events
Research & Analysis : Lead rigorous economic, technical, legal and regulatory analysis to assess the impact of policies on innovation, investment, spending and patient access.
Public Engagement & Advocacy : Represent Paragon Health Institute in public forums, media appearances, congressional hearings, and industry events to share and develop evidence‑based reforms.
Team Leadership : Supervise and mentor policy analysts and researchers, ensuring high‑quality output and alignment with Paragon’s mission.
Qualifications
Expertise in Life Sciences & Health Policy : Deep knowledge of biopharmaceutical development, medical devices, regulatory pathways, and reimbursement structures.
Experience in Market‑Based Policy : Proven ability to craft competitive, patient‑centered policy solutions that balance innovation, affordability, and access.
Strong Research & Communication Skills : Ability to synthesize complex scientific and economic data into clear, impactful policy recommendations.
Proven Leadership & Influence : Experience leading high‑impact policy initiatives and engaging with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector leaders, and think tanks.
Education & Experience : Advanced degree in public policy, economics, law, or a related field with 10+ years of experience in health policy, regulatory affairs, or life sciences strategy. Industry experience and knowledge of the life sciences business sector is preferred.
Why Join Us? At Paragon Health Institute, we are committed to transforming health care through smart, ethical, and sustainable policies. This role offers the opportunity to lead cutting‑edge policy discussions that shape the future of life sciences, biopharma, and medical devices while advocating for principled, market‑driven approaches.
To Apply Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials:
Your resume, including all relevant professional experience.
A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and in working with Paragon.
Your salary expectations (can be included in your cover letter or email body).
Applications should be submitted to Paragon Health Institute here: apply+lifesciences-director@paragoninstitute.org
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
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Paragon Health Institute has become the leading voice for free market health policy, and we are looking to expand that deep expertise into life sciences, biopharma, and emerging medical technology. The Initiative Director will have the opportunity to expand Paragon’s research and strategy into key policy areas that influence the pace of scientific discovery, market-driven innovation and support the renewal of scientific discovery and medical innovation.
Cost containment in health care remains a major policy focus, but a key challenge is ensuring financial sustainability while continuing to incentivize new medical advancements. The director could conduct research into market-driven investment strategies, and policies that sustain both affordability and continued R&D growth.
Paragon wants to inform policy making of efficient regulatory pathways for scientific breakthroughs. From personalized diagnostics to next-generation therapies, the evolving regulatory landscape, and how to incorporate the latest technologies, such as AI, into the development and review of new products, presents an opportunity to explore models that balance safety, efficacy, and timely patient access.
As the government takes a more active role in shaping life sciences investments, Paragon’s Initiative Director can examine the long‑term effects of public sector decision‑making in R&D funding and market dynamics. The director could explore how to balance federal investment with private sector agility, ensuring that policies support competition, efficiency, and the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.
With a renewed commitment to putting American scientific research first, the state of public‑private partnerships (PPPs) and federal research grants also presents a growing area of policy interest. Paragon can reimagine and examine how research funding mechanisms, commercialization pathways, and industry collaborations shape the innovation ecosystem. The Director will position Paragon at the forefront of discussions on how competitive, transparent, and market‑aligned funding strategies can result in the next generation of treatments and cures.
This role offers the chance to guide Paragon’s research into the core of biomedical advancement, fostering policies that drive sustainable, market‑based innovation in health care and expand our technical capabilities for sufficient life science policy making.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership : Develop and oversee research and policy strategies that promote market‑driven solutions in biopharma, life sciences, and medical technology.
Policy Development : Craft policy recommendations, white papers, and reports that shape public discourse and influence federal and state health care regulations.
Stakeholder Engagement : Build relationships with industry leaders, policymakers, patient advocates, and research organizations to promote innovative policy solutions. Engage in strategic partnerships and speaking events
Research & Analysis : Lead rigorous economic, technical, legal and regulatory analysis to assess the impact of policies on innovation, investment, spending and patient access.
Public Engagement & Advocacy : Represent Paragon Health Institute in public forums, media appearances, congressional hearings, and industry events to share and develop evidence‑based reforms.
Team Leadership : Supervise and mentor policy analysts and researchers, ensuring high‑quality output and alignment with Paragon’s mission.
Qualifications
Expertise in Life Sciences & Health Policy : Deep knowledge of biopharmaceutical development, medical devices, regulatory pathways, and reimbursement structures.
Experience in Market‑Based Policy : Proven ability to craft competitive, patient‑centered policy solutions that balance innovation, affordability, and access.
Strong Research & Communication Skills : Ability to synthesize complex scientific and economic data into clear, impactful policy recommendations.
Proven Leadership & Influence : Experience leading high‑impact policy initiatives and engaging with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector leaders, and think tanks.
Education & Experience : Advanced degree in public policy, economics, law, or a related field with 10+ years of experience in health policy, regulatory affairs, or life sciences strategy. Industry experience and knowledge of the life sciences business sector is preferred.
Why Join Us? At Paragon Health Institute, we are committed to transforming health care through smart, ethical, and sustainable policies. This role offers the opportunity to lead cutting‑edge policy discussions that shape the future of life sciences, biopharma, and medical devices while advocating for principled, market‑driven approaches.
To Apply Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials:
Your resume, including all relevant professional experience.
A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and in working with Paragon.
Your salary expectations (can be included in your cover letter or email body).
Applications should be submitted to Paragon Health Institute here: apply+lifesciences-director@paragoninstitute.org
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
#J-18808-Ljbffr