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Drug Development Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Verastem

Medical Director, Clinical Development

Boston, MA · On-site

$250K - $310K/yr

Leads the interpretation and integration of preclinical, pharmacology, translational science, and clinical data to generate actionable insights for drug development. Apply deep scientific expertise ...

Formation Bio

General Manager (Drug Asset Lead)

Boston, MA · On-site

$311K - $388K/yr

Recognizing that this development bottleneck may ultimately limit the number of new medicines that ... Our Current Drug Portfolio * Our Technology & Platform At Formation Bio, our values are the driving ...

Alkermes

Supervisor, Analytical Development

Waltham, MA

$131K - $142K/yr

Good understanding of the role of Analytical Development within the drug development process * Experience with advanced analytical techniques (HPLC/UHPLC, LC/MS, GC, Dissolution, FTIR, UV/Vis, KF ...

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All JobsDrug Development JobsDrug Development Jobs in Massachusetts

Drug Development information

See Massachusetts salary details

$36K

$84.6K

$145.3K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 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 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 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, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,572 per year, or $40.7 per hour.

Principal Engineer, Process Development - OSD

Alkermes

Waltham, MA • On-site

$173K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description


Join the Alkermes Process Development team as a Principal Engineer, where you will lead late-stage drug product Process Development activities at internal and external manufacturing sites. You will be responsible for providing technical guidance and driving execution for small molecule process development, scale-up and technical transfer to manufacturing from Phase 3 up to PPQ. You will play a key role in the CMC team and work closely with the Operations organization. This role will thrive in a highly collaborative matrix team environment to drive critical decision-making and ensure the successful development of new drugs.
Responsibilities
  • Provide subject matter expertise in process development methodologies at Alkermes requiring internal/external execution and technical oversight/supervision.
  • Guide and drive process development, design of experiments, product characterization and control strategy development for development programs.
  • Design and execute process development activities suitable for progressive stages of small molecule pharmaceutical development that follow ICH and FDA guidance.
  • Work closely with colleagues across Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing organizations to best leverage internal and/or external capabilities to assist in process development effort.
  • Provide timely technical support and management oversight of process development activities at external partners.
  • Develop, review, and approve process development source documents, and author and review drug product process development sections for regulatory submissions.
  • Present technical data to cross functional teams and senior management as a process development expert, and effectively communicate critical process issues and solutions.
  • Identify and advocate new and emerging technology opportunities for process development.
  • Manage, train and mentor junior Process Development staff.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
  • PhD (>8 years' experience) or MS (>15 years' experience) in Science or Engineering
  • Expertise and demonstrated experience in small molecule process development, scale up and technical transfer.
  • Expertise in design of experiments, data analysis and data interpretation for process development studies.
  • Experience managing contract drug development (CDMO) activities.
  • Technical problem-solving ability utilizing current research and technologies.
  • Broad understanding of the drug development process and the role and impact of process development within this process
  • Demonstrated collaborative leadership, strong people skills, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Expert understanding of ICH, FDA, and USP guidelines and the ability to apply these guidelines in context of the stage of drug development.
  • Subject matter proficiency across a range of processing techniques such as, powder blending granulation, compression, encapsulation, Wurster coating and pan coating.
  • Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a fast-paced team/matrix environment as well as independently manage priorities and maintain timelines for multiple activities.
  • Previous experience with Process Analytical Technology is preferred.

Travel Requirements
Travel demands will vary based on project stage and business needs; however, travel will be a key component of this role. The successful candidate is expected to serve as a primary technical representative during critical manufacturing activities and provide onsite leadership at development and commercial manufacturing sites during scale-up campaigns, technology transfers, validation activities, process troubleshooting, and other key project milestones as needed.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $173,000 to $193,000. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual performance pay bonus. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, training, knowledge, and experience. Alkermes offers a competitive benefits package. Additional details can be found on our careers website: www.alkermes.com/careers#working-here
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About Us
Why join Team Alkermes?
Alkermes applies its decades of deep neuroscience expertise to develop medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. A global biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Ireland with U.S. locations in Massachusetts and Ohio, we seek to make a meaningful difference in the way people manage their diseases. We have a portfolio of proprietary commercial products for the treatment of alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder and narcolepsy, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for various psychiatric and neurological disorders.
We are proud to have been recognized as an employer of choice by many national organizations. In 2024 and 2025, we were certified as a Great Place to Work in the U.S. and named one of Massachusetts' Top Places to Work by the Boston Globe, a Best Place to Work in Greater Cincinnati by the Cincinnati Business Courier and recognized as a Best Place to Work in BioPharma by Fortune Magazine.
Alkermes, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any qualified applicant or employee because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Alkermes also complies with all work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Alkermes is an E-Verify employer.

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