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Drug Development Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

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Drug Development information

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$36K

$84.6K

$145.3K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Massachusetts is $84,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,900.00 and $98,800.00 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 Massachusetts?

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

What job categories do people searching Drug Development jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Development jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Drug Development job openings:

Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,572 per year, or $40.7 per hour.

Associate Project Manager, Drug Development

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company

Boston, MA • Remote

$80K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Description of Role

The Associate Project Manager provides portfolio-level support across teams for programs in early-late-stage development. This fully remote role focuses on maintaining accurate project timelines and budgets within a corporate-wide Project Portfolio Management (PPM) system and providing other PM support to Centessa's portfolio of R&D programs. The position provides critical operational support to senior project managers and reports directly to the Director, Program Management. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Maintain and update complex drug development timelines and associated budgets and long-term forecasting within a corporate-wide Project Portfolio Management (PPM) system.
  • Monitor individual program Smartsheet timelines to ensure consistency and accurate portfolio reporting.
  • Assist senior project managers with meeting logistics, agenda preparation, minutes and other PM-related activities as needed.
  • Monitor action items and follow up with owners to keep deliverables on schedule.
  • Help generate project status reports, dashboards, and RAID logs for use by program teams and leadership. 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific, business, or healthcare discipline. Educational coursework in project management and/or financial management would be a plus.
  • 1-3 years of project management support within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry supporting cross-functional projects
  • Proven expertise in Smartsheet required and hands-on experience or proficiency with a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) system, such as Planisware, is required.
  • Highly detail-oriented and motivated individual with strong -software skills and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is strongly preferred.
  • Basic understanding of the end-to-end drug development lifecycle (Preclinical through Phase 3 and Regulatory submission, e.g., NDA).
  • 100% remote with the ability to work productively across multiple time zones.
  • Minimal travel required (less than 10% expected for team meetings or workshops). 

Work Location

The Associate Project Manager, Drug Development role is a based in the US, with occasional travel. 

Compensation 

The annual base salary range for this position is $80,000.00 to $130,000.00. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge and location.  

In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus. The Company also offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan, company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, generous paid time off, and a health and wellness program. 

POSITION: Full-Time, Exempt

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