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Drug Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Sr Drug Safety Scientist

Lake Zurich, IL · On-site

$133K - $146K/yr

May lead the planning, development, and maintenance of training and associated materials. Oversight for the preparation of Periodic Adverse Drug Experience Reports (PADER) and individual case safety ...

Sr Drug Safety Scientist

Lake Zurich, IL · Hybrid

$133K - $146K/yr

May lead the planning, development, and maintenance of training and associated materials. Oversight for the preparation of Periodic Adverse Drug Experience Reports (PADER) and individual case safety ...

Stay ahead of research and industry trends in oncology drug development, and identify specific areas wherethe Tempus platform can establish new markets. Become an expert in our biopharma partners ...

Supports strategic planning for drug development activities and projects to achieve departmental strategies, goals, and objectives. Utilizes scientific expertise to provide appropriate interpretation ...

Supports strategic planning for drug development activities and projects to achieve departmental strategies, goals, and objectives. Utilizes scientific expertise to provide appropriate interpretation ...

Showing results 21-40

Drug Development information

See Illinois salary details

$32K

$75K

$128.9K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Illinois is $75,040.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,700.00 and $87,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What career develops drugs?

A career in drug development typically involves roles such as pharmacologist, medicinal chemist, clinical researcher, or regulatory affairs specialist. These professionals work in laboratories, research institutions, or pharmaceutical companies to discover, test, and bring new drugs to market, often requiring knowledge of biology, chemistry, and regulatory processes.

What is the difference between Drug Development vs Pharmacologist?

AspectDrug DevelopmentPharmacologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related fields; often requires experience in clinical trialsDegree in Pharmacology, Pharmacy, or related fields; may require licensing or certification for clinical practice
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, clinical trial sitesResearch labs, hospitals, academic institutions, regulatory agencies
Industry UsageDeveloping new drugs, overseeing clinical trials, regulatory submissionsStudying drug effects, mechanisms, safety, and efficacy; advising on drug use

While both roles are integral to the pharmaceutical industry, Drug Development focuses on creating and bringing new drugs to market through research, testing, and regulatory processes. Pharmacologists primarily study how drugs interact with biological systems, often working in research or clinical settings to understand drug effects and safety. The two roles often collaborate but differ in their core responsibilities and career focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in drug development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Drug Development, you need a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, or chemistry, often supported by an advanced degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, or MSc). Familiarity with regulatory compliance, clinical trial management systems, and data analysis software such as SAS or R is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help professionals excel in this multidisciplinary field. These competencies ensure that new drugs are developed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with regulatory standards.

What is drug development?

Drug development is the process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to market. It involves several stages, including drug discovery, preclinical research, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. Each stage is designed to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of the drug before it can be made available to patients. The entire process can take several years and requires collaboration between scientists, clinicians, regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

How much do drug development professionals make?

Drug development professionals, including roles such as research scientists and clinical trial managers, typically earn between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while senior roles with advanced skills and certifications can exceed this range.

How do you get into drug development?

To enter drug development, individuals typically need a background in life sciences such as biology, chemistry, or pharmacology, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or advanced degree. Gaining experience through internships, research projects, or entry-level roles in pharmaceutical or biotech companies can be valuable, along with developing skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and regulatory compliance.

What are the typical stages of collaboration between different teams in a drug development role?

In drug development, professionals regularly collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, including research scientists, clinical trial coordinators, regulatory affairs specialists, and manufacturing experts. Early stages involve close work with research and discovery teams to identify promising compounds, followed by coordination with clinical teams during trial phases, and finally with regulatory and production teams as the drug moves toward approval and commercialization. Effective communication and cross-functional teamwork are essential, as each stage relies on timely data sharing and joint problem-solving to navigate complex challenges.

What are popular job titles related to Drug Development jobs in Illinois?

For Drug Development jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Drug Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,040 per year, or $36.1 per hour.

Senior Manager, Statistical Programming - Oncology Early Development

AbbVie

North Chicago, IL • On-site

$83K - $102K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


AbbVie rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 101 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Statistical Programming performs statistical programming and analysis oversight for

OED (Oncology Early Development) clinical projects conducted by CROs. This individual is responsible for

overseeing several compounds/indications on all statistical programming related tasks delivered by CROs.

The goal is to ensure data integrity and high quality of all the analysis for oncology first in human clinical

trials up through clinical proof of concept. This individual also performs hands on programming to validate

analysis datasets and TLFs delivered by CRO and support in-house studies for full set of analysis tasks. This

individual may need to manage other regular or contract statistical programmers.

Responsibilities:

•Leads the statistical programming activities for one or more compounds/indications or a therapeutic

area.

•Manages a team of statistical programmers and the resource planning for their assigned projects.

•Ensures timely deliverables, that all quality processes are followed and consistency within the

projects.

•Develops and oversees the development of SAS programs for the creation of ADaM data sets

following CDISC standards.

•Develops and oversees the development of SAS programs for the creation of Tables, Listings and

Figures.

•Ensures consistency of ADaM data sets for individual studies and integrated data.

•Creates documentation for regulatory filings including reviewers guides and data definition

documents.

•Leads the development of standard SAS Macros and the development of standard operating

procedures.

•Manages, mentors and creates career development plans for assigned staff.

•Participates in the recruitment and selection of new staff.

Qualifications

•MS in Statistics, Computer Science or a related field with 9+ years of relevant experience. OR BS in

Statistics, Computer Science or a related field with 11+ years of relevant experience.

•Minimum of 2 years experience leading a team of statistical programmers.

•In-depth understanding of SAS programming concepts and techniques related to drug development.

•In-depth understanding of CDISC Standards.

•In-depth understanding of the drug development process, including experience with regulatory

filings.

•Ability to communicate clearly both oral and written.

•Ability to effectively represent the Statistical Programming Organization in cross functional teams.

•Ability to accurately estimate effort required for project related programming activities.


Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of thisposting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location,and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. ​

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission,incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless anduntil paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html


What AbbVie employees say

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AbbVie logo

About AbbVie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

North Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2013