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Drug Development Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 41-60

Drug Development information

See Indiana salary details

$31.4K

$73.7K

$126.6K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Indiana is $73,687.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,700.00 and $86,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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.

How much do drug development professionals make?

Drug development professionals, including roles such as research scientists and clinical trial managers, typically earn salaries ranging from $70,000 to over $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior positions or those with specialized skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Is drug development a good career?

Drug development is a challenging and rewarding career that involves research, clinical trials, and regulatory processes to bring new medications to market. It requires strong scientific knowledge, attention to detail, and often collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. The field offers opportunities for growth, innovation, and contributing to public health, but can also involve long hours and high responsibility.

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 facilities, or pharmaceutical companies to discover, test, and bring new drugs to market, often requiring knowledge of biology, chemistry, and regulatory processes.

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Drug Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,687 per year, or $35.4 per hour.

Principal Research Scientist - Analytical Development Synthetic Technical Development

Indianapolis, IN • Hybrid

Elanco
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!

Your Role:

Principal Research Scientist, Analytical Development (SynTD)

As the Principal Research Scientist, Analytical Development, you will support Elanco's Technical Development (TD) organization. This position is broadly responsible for analytical development activities of animal health products with a concentrated expertise in dissolution control strategy and synthetic molecule analytical development. As part of technical development teams, the role is expected to support drug development with a diverse range of responsibilities.

Your Responsibilities:

  • Develop and deliver relevant analytical and dissolution methods and specifications, ensuring compliance with industrial (GxP) and regulatory requirements (VICH/ICH).

  • Interpret results, evaluate data, and draw relevant conclusions.

  • Report and present scientific/technical results internally, create external publications, and present at scientific conferences.

  • Write or support the generation of international registration documents and interact with global health authorities.

  • Partner with manufacturing and regulatory representatives to drive drug product commercialization activities and technical submissions to global health authorities.

  • Drive the evaluation and implementation of new technologies in dissolution and analytical development, applying the latest scientific thinking to help bring new drug products to market.

  • Mentor and coach emerging technical talent within the function.

  • Ensure compliance with external and internal guidelines/quality standards (e.g., SOPs, GxP, HSE, and Animal Welfare).

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

  • Education:PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field, with a minimum of 7 years of experience in pharmaceutical development; experience specifically inanalytical developmentis highly preferred, ideally with experience in various dosage forms. M.S. in a related field with a minimum of 12 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, or B.S. in a related field with a minimum of 16 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

  • Experience:Strong expertise in chromatographic (HPLC/UPLC) and spectroscopic (UV/VIS) method development, and recognized expertise in dissolution, particularly with USP Apparatus II (Paddles) and IV (Flow Cell).

  • Top 2 skills:

    • Extensive knowledge of current quality and regulatory requirements for new drug products.

    • Demonstrated track record of interacting with regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA/CVM, EMA) on analytical topics.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

  • Significant experience with dissolution development and preparing regulatory submissions.

  • Experience working in regulated environments (e.g., GMP).

  • Proven scientific leadership skills.

  • Strong collaborator with the ability to positively impact interdisciplinary and international teams.

  • Strong problem-solving skills, including strategic and creative thinking.

  • Experience in analytical method development in areas outside of dissolution.

Additional Information:

  • Travel:Approximately 10% travel required.

  • Location:Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:

  • Multiple relocation packages

  • Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)

  • 8-week parental leave

  • 9 Employee Resource Groups

  • Annual bonus offering

  • Flexible work arrangements

  • Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against jobrelated criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.


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