Saudi Summer Trainee Patient Engagement & Advocacy📣 إعلان

About the Program and Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company committed to scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company focuses on advancing patient-centered healthcare through education, innovation, and meaningful engagement with patient communities. This Saudi Summer Trainee Patient Engagement & Advocacy program offers a unique opportunity within the International Patient Engagement (IPE) team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The IPE team integrates patient perspectives into Vertex’s work by fostering collaborations with patient communities across the lifecycle of therapies, from early research to post-marketing. This full-time summer training program is designed for a duration of 6-8 weeks.

Program Focus and Learning Objectives

The trainee will support the International Patient Engagement team in developing, localizing, and improving Arabic patient education materials. This role provides exposure to patient advocacy, digital content, health literacy, and cross-functional collaboration within a regulated biotechnology environment. During this program, the trainee will:

• Gain practical experience in patient engagement, health literacy, and patient-centered communication.
• Support the development and localization of Arabic patient education materials.
• Contribute to digital and creative educational assets in collaboration with internal teams and agencies.
• Build project coordination, research, and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Key Responsibilities

The trainee will undertake responsibilities across several key areas, reporting to the International Patient Engagement Director – GCC:

• Patient Education Material Development: Support the development, localization, and review of Arabic patient education materials. This includes reviewing content for clarity, readability, cultural relevance, and consistency, conducting research on disease awareness and patient education needs, and helping maintain organized content libraries.
• Digital & Creative Content Support: Assist with patient-facing digital content, awareness materials, presentations, and visual assets. Coordinate with agencies and internal teams to ensure materials align with Vertex standards and contribute ideas for clear, creative, and engaging patient education formats.
• Patient Insights & Advocacy: Participate in relevant meetings with patient organizations, agencies, and internal stakeholders. Support the collection and review of patient insights, feedback, and education opportunities, and identify best practices in patient communication and health literacy.
• Operational Support: Assist with project tracking, timelines, presentations, and educational material updates. Support organized documentation and version control of educational materials, and participate in internal and cross-functional discussions as appropriate.

Qualifications and Candidate Profile

Candidates for this summer training program should meet the following qualifications and demonstrate a strong interest in patient-centered healthcare:

• Current undergraduate student or recent graduate (0-1 year experience) in Pharmacy, PharmD, Public Health, Health Education, or a related field.
• Eligible to complete a summer training program in Saudi Arabia and available to work in Riyadh.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English.
• Demonstrated interest in patient education, patient advocacy, public health, and the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to simplify complex medical information into clear, patient-friendly educational content.
• Desire for practical experience in biotechnology, healthcare communications, and digital content.

What the Trainee Will Gain

Participating in this program offers valuable professional development and exposure:

• Hands-on experience in patient engagement within a global biotechnology company.
• Exposure to patient education, health literacy, and healthcare communications practices.
• Mentorship from patient engagement professionals and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration in a regulated environment.
• The opportunity to contribute to projects that support patients and caregivers across the GCC region.

Work Arrangement

This role is Hybrid-Eligible or On-Site Eligible. Candidates can choose to be designated as:

• Hybrid: Working remotely for up to two days per week.
• On-Site: Working five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.