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Drug Development Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Drug Development Project Manager - Boston ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster. As ...

Ability to apply drug development knowledge during production of high quality statistical analyses. * Perform sample size calculations for a variety of scenarios and study designs. * Leads projects ...

... drug development, partnering with the CF community, and advancing high-quality, specialized care. By joining the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation , you will be part of a dedicated team committed to our ...

Development Director

Detroit, MI · On-site

$81K - $102K/yr

... drug development, partnering with the CF community, and advancing high-quality, specialized care. By joining the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation , you will be part of a dedicated team committed to our ...

Basic understanding of CROs and scientific & nonclinical data/terminology, & the drug development process Powered by JazzHR JWVqDeM8oN

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Drug Development information

See Michigan salary details

$28.8K

$67.5K

$115.9K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Michigan is $67,495.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $78,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 degree to develop drugs?

Drug development professionals typically hold degrees in pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, or related fields. Advanced roles often require a master's or doctoral degree, along with laboratory skills and knowledge of regulatory processes. Relevant certifications and experience in clinical trials or pharmaceutical research can also be important.

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 is the highest paying job in pharmaceuticals?

In drug development, senior roles such as Vice President of Research and Development or Chief Scientific Officer typically have the highest salaries, often exceeding $200,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership skills, and they oversee large teams and strategic decision-making in pharmaceutical companies.

What job is drug development?

A job in drug development involves researching, designing, testing, and bringing new pharmaceutical drugs to market. Professionals in this field often work in laboratories or clinical settings, utilizing skills in biology, chemistry, and regulatory compliance to develop safe and effective medications.

How do you get into drug development?

To enter drug development, candidates typically need a strong background in science or engineering, often holding a bachelor's degree in fields like chemistry, biology, or pharmacology. Advanced roles may require a master's or Ph.D., along with experience in laboratory research, clinical trials, or regulatory processes. Gaining skills in data analysis, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and familiarity with regulatory agencies like the FDA can also be beneficial.

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 Michigan? For Drug Development jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Drug Development jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Drug Development job openings:
Senior Director Drug Development Portfolio Manager

Senior Director Drug Development Portfolio Manager

Icon plc

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Drug Development Project Manager - Boston

ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster.


As a values-driven organisation, integrity, collaboration, agility, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work and interact with each other, customers, patients and suppliers.


The Senior Drug Development Project Manager oversees the high-level plans and progress of these teams, managing projects from pre-clinical stages through to commercialization. The DDPM is responsible for incorporating overarching indication activities and milestones, documenting their downstream impact, and justifying changes in project budget and resources. This role involves close collaboration with the Asset Strategy Lead and function leads within the EDST or AST. The DDPM compiles and owns the integrated cross-functional project plan, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy.


As part of the Project Management Office (PMO), DDPMs advocate for project management techniques and processes, coaching team members on consistent utilization, including risk mapping, mitigation strategies, and logging lessons learned.

What you will be doing:

  • When in a managerial role, the DDPM supports the development of team members, enhancing their confidence, skills, and experiences in alignment with corporate strategy while ensuring the team adheres to agreed project scopes.

  • Establishes a project lifetime plan with appropriate detail, proactively identifying risks and resolving issues.

  • Maintains and communicates project timelines, budgets, and resource allocations, flagging delays and discrepancies while liaising with governance, finance, and function heads.

  • Fosters high team performance by proactively engaging stakeholders and partnering with project leadership to ensure effective governance meetings.

  • Collaborates with various teams and function leads to translate strategies into integrated project plans, taking ownership of these plans and sharing insights that influence project direction.

  • Encourages positive team dynamics, working with HR to organize team-building activities and ensuring secure document sharing among team members and stakeholders.

  • Communicates any significant project accelerations or delays to leadership, driving corrective actions as needed.

  • Partners with internal and external stakeholders to establish effective project communications and manage changes towards common goals while promoting conflict resolution.

  • Develops and implements methods and frameworks for quality decision-making to support operational excellence in drug development projects and process improvement initiatives.

  • Collaborates with finance to address budget-related inquiries, conduct baseline comparisons, and perform variance analysis, optimizing internal project templates.

  • Co-creates dashboards with business process managers and acts as a liaison to identify reporting needs from business partners.

You are:

  • Strong leadership skills, promoting values that enhance team dynamics.

  • Excellent communication skills, fostering inclusivity and collaboration.

  • Proven interpersonal skills for conflict mediation and management.

  • Solid project management skills with broad exposure to the pharmaceutical R&D process; advanced planning experience with MS Project is essential. PMP certification is a plus.

  • Adaptability to continuous change.

  • Proficient verbal and written English communication skills (full professional proficiency required).

  • Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a health-related discipline or equivalent experience.

  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in drug development across various phases and disease areas.

  • At least 5 years of program management experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech setting, preferably in cross-cultural environments.

  • Genuine interest and some experience in people management.

  • Experience in Regulatory Affairs and/or Clinical Development is an advantage.


Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.


Rewards & Benefits

ICON offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and career development.


Benefits may include:

  • Competitive base salary and performance related incentives
  • Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable
  • Retirement and pension plans
  • Life assurance and disability coverage
  • Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources
  • Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways

Benefits may vary depending on role and location.


Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.


Inclusion and Accessibility

ICON is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.


If you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know or submit a requesthere.

Salary Range

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Are you a current ICON Employee? Please click here to apply