Public Citizen is a national, non-partisan, public interest group with more than 500,000 members and activists. Founded in 1971 to advance health, safety, justice and democracy, we use all available advocacy tools – including research, grassroots mobilization and advocacy, lobbying, litigation, administrative petitioning and strategic communications – to ensure that all citizens are represented in the halls of power. The folks who work here bring a lot of drive and passion to their work. We’re often the underdog, but we don’t shy away from taking on tough campaigns against powerful corporate actors. And long odds haven’t stopped us from successfully challenging the abusive practices of powerful industries, such as the pharmaceutical, nuclear and automobile industries, and many others.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:  The Director of the Health Research Group (HRG) will lead and supervise a hard-hitting, successful research-based consumer health advocacy team based in Washington, D.C., that works to counter the power of the pharmaceutical, medical device, and other health care-related industries. The group was begun in 1971 by Ralph Nader and Dr. Sidney Wolfe. We petition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take dangerous drugs and devices off the market, call out the FDA when it gets too cozy with the industries it regulates, blow the whistle on unethical clinical trials, work to improve patient safety and state medical board oversight of dangerous doctors, advocate for a national single-payer health program, and petition OSHA to require stronger safeguards for workers.

The Director will have responsibility for directing, managing, and setting priorities for all HRG activities and staff. The Director will supervise and conduct research and advocacy projects on a wide range of health care issues and activities involving, among other things: (a) the safety, effectiveness, and regulation of drugs, medical devices, and dietary supplements; (b) occupational health and safety; (c) the ethics and regulation of clinical trials and other human subjects research; (d) health care delivery and health services; (e) physician oversight and accountability; (f) public and private health insurers; (g) consumer product safety; and (h) government agencies including, but not limited to, the FDA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Health Services and Research Administration, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Director reports directly to the President and Executive Vice President of Public Citizen, and will have the benefit of the counsel of HRG’s founding director, Sid Wolfe. This full-time position will be based at Public Citizen’s headquarters in Washington, DC (given circumstances related to the pandemic, the position currently involves working remotely from home full-time; in the future, there is the potential for a hybrid model involving a combination of remote work from home and in-office work).

The webpage at www.citizen.org/article/health-research-group-publications/ provides numerous recent examples of our research-based advocacy work. To learn more about Public Citizen, visit our homepage at www.citizen.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supervise and mentor HRG researchers; rotating interns, residents, and fellows; and other HRG staff.
2. Review and edit draft work products written by HRG researchers; rotating interns, residents, and fellows; and other HRG staff.
3. Complete HRG administrative tasks, including budget planning, allocation of resources, and annual performance evaluations for HRG staff.
4. Review and analyze publicly available and other data and documents related to a wide range of health care issues, including those identified above. Based on these reviews, write reports, petitions, and letters for submission to appropriate government agencies and officials and for public dissemination
5. Prepare and present testimony before federal advisory committees and Congressional committees.
6. Give speeches and presentations in educational or public affairs forums.
7. Engage in research-based consumer advocacy on a wide range of health care issues.
8. Review and comment on policies and regulations issued by government health agencies and authorities.
9. Review and comment on health care-related legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress.
10. Review literature, news accounts, government reports, and other sources to identify timely health care issues important to consumers.
11. Serve as a specialist on specific health care issues.
12. Write medical journal articles and commentaries.
13. Serve as editor and supervise the production of the monthly newsletters, Worst Pills, Best Pills News (print) and Health Letter (online).
14. Write content for the next (5^th) edition of the book Worst Pills, Best Pills and columns and articles for the monthly newsletters, Worst Pills, Best Pills News and Health Letter.
15. Edit updated content for the WorstPills.org website.
16. Provide advice and guidance on health-related topics to staff in other Public Citizen divisions.
17. Respond to media inquiries.
18. Assist in responding to complex consumer inquiries.
19. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: An M.D. or D.O. degree with a completed residency in internal medicine or family medicine or similar training is required. Additional training in public health and knowledge of statistics and epidemiology is also required.

Knowledge: In depth knowledge of medicine, the U.S. health care system, drug and medical device issues, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and policies related to drugs and medical devices. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office environment (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Skills: Strong analytic, scientific methodological, verbal communication, written communication, and organizational skills. Demonstrated skill in conducting quantitative research with a record of published research articles. Must be an exceptional writer, including having the ability to write material intended for a lay audience. Proven managerial skills, including the ability to plan, supervise, and monitor projects and allocate resources; mentor junior researchers; and supervise a small staff. Experience with statistical software programs would be desirable.

Work experience: Experience working in the areas of drugs and medical devices following residency training is required. At least four full years of research-based health advocacy work preferred, which could include work in an academic or government setting.

Capabilities: Must be able to work effectively with a wide range of people, work well under pressure, deal with the news media, and adapt quickly to changing situations and fast-moving events on a daily basis. Must evaluate group needs and prioritize time based on these needs.

Conditions: Strong interest in and commitment to the public interest and the ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment. Applicant should be an imaginative self-starter with a willingness to tackle sensitive health policy issues.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Competitive salary bases on relevant experience and qualifications and generous benefits package.  Below is a list of some of our benefits (please note that some benefits have eligibility requirements).

• Great medical and dental coverage, 100% paid by PC, including full coverage for children
• Three weeks paid vacation for new employees, plus five personal days
• 401K plan with a 5% contribution from PC after one year of employment
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
• Sabbatical after 10 years of employment
• Student loan reimbursement program

TO APPLY:

Please submit resume and a one-page statement/cover letter describing your background, qualifications and interest in public interest work to: HRG Director Dr. Michael Carome, mcarome@citizen.org.

Public Citizen is an equal opportunity employer.

visit www.citizen.org