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Between 2006 and 2009, 0.1% of employed doctoral graduates, or 10 employed doctoral graduates, are known to have been working as pharmacologists six months after graduation.

Job description

Doctoral level pharmacologists are typically found as HE researchers at the start of their careers, although many enter research roles outside the HE sector in healthcare and scientific research and development.

Much of this research work is very similar in nature to the pharmacology research work the new entrant carried out as a doctoral student, with an increased level of responsibility. As a result, most entrants into these research roles should have a good idea of the basic nature of the job and many of the key responsibilities. Clinical roles may differ more.

Pharmacologists investigate how potential medicines interact with biological systems, undertaking in vitro research (using cells or animal tissues) or in vivo research (using whole animals) to predict what effect the drug might have in humans.

Pharmacologists aim to understand how drugs work so they can be used effectively and safely. They also conduct research to aid drug discovery and development. Their work involves a high level of collaboration with other scientists.

Areas of specialism include clinical pharmacology (carrying out work involving the effects of medicines on people within clinical trial studies), neuropharmacology (studying the effect of chemicals on the nervous system) and regulatory pharmacology. Closely related fields include toxicology, biochemistry and DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics).

Typical work activities

The exact nature of the work depends on the level of seniority, the specific area studied and also whether the context is industrial or academic.

However, most pharmacologists are involved in the following:

  • Devising and conducting experiments, processing and analysing results and data
  • Collaborating with industry/academia to apply the results of research and develop new techniques, products or practices
  • Publishing papers, and presenting ongoing work and findings to colleagues at academic conferences
  • Teaching, demonstrating or supervising students (in academia) and training and supervising other members of staff
  • Devising or helping to draw up new research proposals and applying for funding and grants
  • Working in multidisciplinary teams (in academia, across different faculties or schools, and in industry, across different functions of the business)
  • Designing, planning and conducting controlled experiments to improve understanding of a compound's activity
  • Using computers, high technology measuring systems and other sophisticated equipment to collect, analyse and interpret complex data
  • Drawing up proposals for future developmental tests
  • Organising and overseeing tests of new drugs and medicines, ensuring quality control and securing approval for their use
  • Liaising with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with local, national and international regulations
  • Planning, coordinating and supervising the duties of other technical staff and training and/or mentoring early-career pharmacologists

Research pharmacologists depend on the publication and peer review process to validate their theories and inform their research. They also need to keep abreast of the work of other scientists both within the life sciences arena and in the wider scientific community. Attendance at academic conferences across the world is considered part of the job, rather than an additional activity.

Entry requirements

Competition for jobs can be high, particularly if you aim to enter research and development (R&D). A relevant doctorate is advantageous and sometimes essential for employment with a major pharmaceutical company. Completion of a doctorate is useful as this demonstrates advanced skills in the formulation of research enquiries relating to complex scientific problems as well as good technical research, laboratory and communication skills. A doctorate may also be very valuable for long-term career progression in management or technical research roles.

Any relevant work experience is also extremely valuable in order to gain experience and skills, to demonstrate interest and commitment to potential employers.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

  • A methodical approach and a high level of attention to detail
  • Problem-solving skills and the ability to find and employ creative solutions
  • Strong IT skills, including data retrieval and analysis
  • The ability and desire to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams;
  • The ability and enthusiasm to learn new skills and techniques
  • Good time management and organisational skills
  • Strong communication skills for writing papers and reports and giving presentations
  • Networking skills and the ability to build effective links with external organisations
  • Leadership potential and the skills to manage and motivate others.

Salary

  • Typical salaries start from £28,000 for research staff (postdoctoral) roles in academia (salary data collected December 2009)
  • Typical salaries at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10-15 years in the role) range from £35,000 to £105,000 (salary data collected December 2009)
  • Salaries in industry tend to be higher than those in academia, and pharmacologists with a doctorate are likely to earn more than those without

Sector and disciplinary information

Sector information

Doctoral graduates from 2006-9 working in this occupation were known to be employed in the following profiled sectors six months after graduation:

Disciplinary background

The most common disciplinary backgrounds for doctoral graduates (2006-2009) entering pharmacology were:

Career stories

Professor Graeme Milligan
Professor of Molecular Pharmacology, Joint Research Director, Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow.          

His work "... has brought Prof Milligan to the attention of an international pharmaceutical audience. His work is highly-regarded by giants including Glaxo SmithKline and AstraZeneca, who seek his expertise regularly in developing their own compounds. He also acts on a regular basis to design the programme for scientific meetings at the interface between Academic research and Pharmaceutical drug discovery."

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