The CRA Life Sciences Symposium is a highly selective program designed to introduce PhD, Postdocs, & M.D. students to a career in life sciences consulting. We seek participants pursuing a PhD in the physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, or a closely related field, or M.D.
Through workshops, panel discussions, and interactive case studies, you will learn about life in consulting and how you can put your PhD to great use at CRA. Watch below for a short video about the program.
Apply for the opportunity to:
- Learn about the variety of consulting projects that CRA engages in across our clients;
- Discover how skills developed during your PhD and M.D. programs are translated to help solve problems facing our clients in the life sciences industry;
- Engage in complex problem-solving exercises with bright minds; collaborate; research; conduct insightful analysis and deduction;
- Immerse yourself in CRA’s learning culture and participate in training workshops to enhance your skills;
- Discover what CRA looks for when recruiting and selecting top candidates;
- Network with hiring managers, experienced consultants with advanced degrees from a variety of disciplines, and fellow participants.
Program logistics:
- The three-day intensive program will take place in our Boston headquarters in mid- to late July, 2026;
- CRA will pay for lodging and travel expenses within the US and from Canada.
Eligible participants are:
- Pursuing a PhD or postdoc in the physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, or a closely related field, or M.D.;
- Aiming to pursue a full-time consulting career in 2027;
- Seriously considering a career in life sciences consulting;
- We encourage applications from across the US and Canada.
To apply:
To be considered, please submit a resume, a cover letter, and a paper or abstract, if you have one. The writing sample should focus on your research interests; your cover letter should explain your interest in life sciences consulting and CRA.
Selected applications will advance to a virtual interview that will focus on your previous experience, your interest in consulting, and fit with the team. This application and interview process is solely for your attendance at the Life Sciences Symposium.
The Symposium is meant to be a learning experience as well as an evaluation of your candidacy for a full-time role. After the Symposium, selected attendees will be invited to interview for a full-time role; we will be recruiting for full-time positions for our offices in Boston, Chicago, New York, Oakland (CA), Summit (NJ), Washington (DC) and Toronto.
The closing date for applications is Sunday, May 17, 2026.