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Drug Development Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Drug Development information

See Iowa salary details

$31K

$72.7K

$124.9K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Iowa is $72,735.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,900.00 and $85,000.00 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 are popular job titles related to Drug Development jobs in Iowa?

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Drug Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,735 per year, or $35 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Element Materials Technology rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

74th of 120 rated laboratories


Job description

Overview

Element has a current opening for a Microbiologist II-III at our North Liberty, IA location. Under general direction, the Microbiologist II-III performs moderate to highly complex laboratory testing and analysis on bacterial and fungal isolates to provide information to the SENTRY program, new drug development protocols and clinical trial protocols. Utilizes professional skill and judgement to perform a variety of microbiology procedures within the laboratory.

Responsibilities
  • Processes incoming bacterial and fungal isolates following safety guidelines and using requiredPPE, selects and labels appropriate media and properly streaks for isolation.
  • Assesses isolates that are received using professional judgment, knowledge of organismcharacteristics, MALDI-TOF and biochemical tests to properly identify organisms prior to banking.
  • Performs MALDI-TOF isolate identifications and interprets results.
  • Properly pulls frozen isolates from the bank for SENTRY, drug development protocol testing, andclinical trials.
  • Prepares for susceptibility runs by performing purity checks, removing MIC panels from freezers,labeling of panels and tubes, and loosening caps on media tubes.
  • Participates in all aspects of MIC testing including subbing isolates, preparing inoculums,pipetting, and running inoculating instruments.
  • Interprets MICs results from broth microdilution, agar dilution, disk diffusion and Etestmethodologies.
  • Observes and ensures coworkers are following safety guidelines and brings issues to the safetycommittee, as necessary.
  • Participates on the clinical trial team or alternatively, is a member of the fungal team and isdeemed proficient in two or more areas (fungal processing, yeast or mould susceptibility testing,etc.), as dictated by business needs.
  • Performs highly complex quantitative and qualitative analysis on microbiological clinical trialand/or research isolates.
  • Participates in new drug development protocols and/or clinical trial protocols which includes anarray of susceptibility testing techniques such as broth microdilution + disks and/or Etest, agardilution, time-kills, PAEs.
  • Follows GCP and CLIA regulations and guidelines for processing of clinical trial isolates, includingchain of custody procedures.
  • Participates in the overall quality assurance program by performing QC testing and documentingresults appropriately.
  • Monitors QC within the laboratory and implements effective corrective action. Investigates andresolves problems related to testing procedures.
  • Serves as a subject matter expert in two or more areas in the laboratory, as deemed appropriateby managers.
  • Supplies a reliable source of information and leadership to coworkers.
  • Provides technical direction and oversight to Microbiologists for complex testing andanalysis of microbiological isolates.
  • Participates in training of Laboratory Assistants and Microbiologists on testing techniquesand result interpretation, as requested by Lab Coordinator or Laboratory Manager.Assists with writing, revising and implementation of laboratory procedures according to CLSI andregulatory guidelines.
  • Looks for ways to enhance operational efficiencies, increase productivity and decrease costs.
  • Demonstrates professional development.
  • Demonstrates strong communication skills and communicates appropriately and effectively tocoworkers and management.
  • Communicates effectively with vendors and service providers, as needed.
  • Demonstrates ability to coordinate testing for multiple protocols simultaneously withoutcompromising quality.
Skills / Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in a laboratory science field from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE is required.
  • Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists or National Certifying Agency is desirable.
  • Previous experience conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria and fungi (yeasts and molds) using broth microdilution, agar dilution, and disk/test strips is preferred
  • Familiarity with organism morphology (bacteria and/or fungi), 3-5 years of clinical laboratory work in a microbiology laboratory, and experience with MALDI-TOF for organism identification is required
  • Will also have good communication and organizational skills and work well in a team environment

#LI-TK1

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) 

"If you need an accommodation filling out an application, or applying to a job,  please email Recruitment@element.com"

Employment Type: OTHER

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