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Director Pharmaceutical Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director, Global CMC Regulatory

$153K - $202K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or closely related ... direct interactions with the FDA and other regulatory bodies. * Strong project and team leadership ...

Supervision, development and performance monitoring of direct reports and others, as may be ... D. in Pharmaceutical Science, Analytical Science or related field with a minimum 0-4 years of ...

Our Pharmaceutical team is growing! The Stakeholder Management, Permits & Communications Lead ... Science, or related field. * 20+ years of professional experience (BS) supporting major capital ...

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Director Pharmaceutical Science information

What does a director of pharmaceutical science do?

A Director of Pharmaceutical Science oversees research, development, and quality assurance processes within a pharmaceutical company. They lead teams of scientists and ensure that drug development aligns with regulatory standards and company goals. Their responsibilities also include managing budgets, timelines, and collaboration with other departments such as regulatory affairs and production. The role is crucial for bringing safe, effective medications to market efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of pharmaceutical science, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Pharmaceutical Science, you need advanced expertise in pharmaceutical development, regulatory compliance, and project management, often supported by a PhD or advanced degree in pharmaceutical sciences or a related field. Familiarity with drug development software, clinical trial management systems, and regulatory submission platforms is essential, along with relevant certifications such as PMP or RAC. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills help manage cross-functional teams and complex projects. These competencies ensure the effective delivery of safe, compliant, and innovative pharmaceutical products in a highly regulated industry.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of pharmaceutical science, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Pharmaceutical Science often navigates complex challenges such as balancing regulatory compliance with innovation, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring project timelines are met in a highly regulated environment. Building strong communication channels and fostering collaboration between research, development, and quality assurance teams can help address these challenges. Staying updated on regulatory changes and investing in professional development for both leadership and technical skills are also key strategies for success in this role.

What is the difference between Director Pharmaceutical Science vs Senior Pharmaceutical Scientist?

AspectDirector Pharmaceutical ScienceSenior Pharmaceutical Scientist
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD, PharmD), extensive experienceMaster's or PhD, specialized experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationResearch, formulation development, laboratory work
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, R&D divisionsResearch labs, development teams, manufacturing support

The main difference between a Director Pharmaceutical Science and a Senior Pharmaceutical Scientist lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The director oversees strategic planning, manages teams, and collaborates across departments, while the senior scientist focuses on hands-on research and development tasks. Both roles require advanced degrees and industry experience, but the director holds a leadership position with broader organizational responsibilities.

How much do pharmaceutical directors make?

Pharmaceutical directors typically earn between $150,000 and $250,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often hold advanced degrees and oversee research, development, or regulatory teams in the pharmaceutical industry.

Is there a demand for a director pharmaceutical science?

The role of a director of pharmaceutical science is in high demand due to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and the need for advanced research, development, and regulatory expertise. Companies seek experienced professionals with strong scientific backgrounds, leadership skills, and knowledge of drug development processes, making this a promising career path with increasing opportunities.

What cities are hiring for Director Pharmaceutical Science jobs?

Cities with the most Director Pharmaceutical Science job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Pharmaceutical Science jobs?

The most popular types of Pharmaceutical Science jobs are:

What states have the most Director Pharmaceutical Science jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Pharmaceutical Science jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Director Pharmaceutical Science jobs?

For Director Pharmaceutical Science jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Pharmaceutical R&D Domain Expert

California City, CA • On-site

Weekday AI
Human Resources Consulting Services • 11 - 50 employees

$75 - $115/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

This role is for one of our clients
Compensation: $75 - $115 per hour
We are seeking a senior pharmaceutical R&D domain expert to work with a leading AI research team on improving how advanced AI models understand and reason about real-world pharmaceutical research and development.
In this role, your expertise in drug discovery and development will be central to defining what high-quality pharmaceutical knowledge work looks like. You will evaluate AI-generated outputs, develop detailed instruction specifications, create reference-quality solutions, and design benchmarks that measure the accuracy, depth, and practical relevance of AI systems.
The ideal candidate is a practicing or experienced pharmaceutical R&D specialist with substantial industry experience and deep expertise in a specific area of the drug development lifecycle.
Location: Hybrid role based in the Bay Area, California. Candidates must currently live in the Bay Area and be able to work on-site with the research team multiple days per week, as required. Candidates outside the Bay Area must be willing to relocate at their own expense before the engagement begins. Relocation assistance is not provided.
Employment Type: Full-time W-2 position
Initial Engagement: 6 months
Expected Commitment: 40 hours per week
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
Data Quality & Evaluation
  • Review pharmaceutical knowledge tasks and AI-generated outputs for scientific accuracy, completeness, and practical relevance.
  • Identify unsupported efficacy or safety claims, gaps in reasoning, missing considerations, and conclusions that would not withstand scientific or regulatory scrutiny.
  • Assess whether AI responses reflect genuine pharmaceutical R&D expertise rather than surface-level or plausible-sounding reasoning.
Instruction Specifications & Reference Solutions
  • Develop detailed instruction specifications that accurately reflect real-world pharmaceutical research and development workflows.
  • Create high-quality reference solutions for drug discovery and development problems.
  • Design new tasks that capture the complexity, judgment, and decision-making involved in industry pharmaceutical R&D.
Benchmark & Evaluation Development
  • Develop challenging pharmaceutical evaluation tasks and domain-specific benchmark datasets.
  • Help establish evaluation standards for measuring AI performance across different stages of the pharmaceutical pipeline.
  • Collaborate with research teams to identify opportunities for improving domain-specific AI capabilities.
Expert Calibration
  • Work with researchers and specialists from adjacent disciplines to establish consistent evaluation standards.
  • Translate complex, experience-based pharmaceutical judgment into clear, objective, and teachable evaluation criteria.
  • Provide precise written feedback that helps improve both AI outputs and evaluation methodologies.
Core Qualifications
Education
  • PhD or PharmD in a relevant pharmaceutical or life sciences discipline, such as:
    • Medicinal or Organic Chemistry
    • Pharmacology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Toxicology
  • MD candidates with substantial pharmaceutical drug development experience may also be considered.
Professional Experience
  • 4+ years of substantive pharmaceutical or biotechnology research and development experience.
  • Experience within a pharmaceutical company, biotechnology company, contract research organization, or translational research institute is strongly preferred.
  • Candidates with purely academic research backgrounds and limited exposure to commercial drug development may be less suitable.
Domain Expertise
Demonstrated specialization in at least one major area of the pharmaceutical development pipeline, such as:
  • Target identification and validation
  • Medicinal chemistry and lead optimization
  • Preclinical pharmacology
  • Toxicology
  • Translational science and biomarkers
  • Clinical development
  • Regulatory affairs
  • Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC)
Seniority & Ownership
  • Demonstrated progression into senior-level roles such as Senior Scientist, Principal Scientist, Director of Research, or VP-level R&D positions.
  • Experience owning or making significant contributions to a discovery project or pharmaceutical development program.
Research & Industry Record
  • Peer-reviewed publications, granted patents, or meaningful contributions to pharmaceutical programs that progressed into clinical development are strongly preferred.
AI & Analytical Skills
  • Practical experience using large language models or AI tools in a professional setting.
  • Strong ability to distinguish scientifically rigorous reasoning from responses that merely appear credible.
  • Excellent analytical judgment and attention to scientific detail.
Communication
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to provide precise, structured, and actionable written feedback.
  • Comfortable translating complex scientific concepts into clear evaluation criteria.
Availability & Location
  • Able to commit approximately 40 hours per week for an initial six-month engagement.
  • Currently based in the Bay Area, California, with the ability to work on-site multiple days per week as required.
  • Candidates outside the Bay Area must be willing to relocate at their own expense before the engagement begins.
Work Environment
This is a collaborative hybrid position involving close interaction with AI researchers, pharmaceutical specialists, and program teams. The role requires participation in standard team workflows, research discussions, evaluation reviews, and ongoing calibration sessions.
You will contribute directly to initiatives focused on improving the capabilities of advanced AI systems in pharmaceutical research and development.
Equal Opportunity
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring and employment process for qualified individuals who require them.