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Drug Development Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Unicon Pharma Inc.

R&D Programmer II

West Chester, PA · On-site

$61 - $73/hr

... drug development process, industry standards, statistical concepts used in analysis and submissions of clinical trial data. Position Summary: The Clinical Programming (Contractor) is responsible for ...

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All JobsDrug Development JobsDrug Development Jobs in Pennsylvania

Drug Development information

See Pennsylvania salary details

$33.1K

$77.6K

$133.3K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Pennsylvania is $77,624.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,600.00 and $90,700.00 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 Pennsylvania?

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

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

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

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Drug Development job openings:

Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,624 per year, or $37.3 per hour.

Sr. Scientist /Scientist - Pharmaceutical Drug Development

Exton, PA • On-site

Frontage Laboratories
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Frontage Laboratoriesexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

 

Sr. Scientist/Scientist, Pharmaceutical Drug Development


Title: Sr. Scientist/Scientist 

Location: Exton, PA (CMC)

Full time

Frontage Laboratories Inc. is an award winning, full-service, CRO/Contract Research Organization operating over 25 state-of-the-art laboratories across the US, Canada and China.  Our core competencies include drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), safety and toxicology, bioanalytical services, chemistry and manufacturing controls for drug development, and core laboratory services for clinical trials.

Responsibilities:

  • Perform necessary literature and patent search to support studies for development of drug products and generate data/development reports for use by the sponsors as part of their regulatory submissions or patent filings.
  • Plan and perform various stages of product development studies, including pre-formulation, formulation development, process development, optimization, and technology transfer.
  • Incorporate Quality-by-Design tools in drug development. Develop prototype formula and evaluate the predetermined QTPPs and CQAs.
  • Write and review GMP documentation, including manufacturing batch records, and appropriate study protocols, and interface with CTM Manufacturing Team for technology transfer for CTM Batch Manufacturing.
  • Collaborate with team members (Analytical Scientists, Quality Assurance, Material Coordinator, and Manufacturing Technicians) to meet timelines for drug product delivery. 
  • Assist department supervisor in collaborating with sponsor(s) to facilitate transfer of knowledge and deliverables of drug product.
  • Follow company policies and conduct work according to appropriate Frontage SOPs and comply with cGMP guidelines.

Requirements: 

  • PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related fiels with 2-3 years of experience OR MS in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Science or related field with 7-8 years of experience.
  • In depth knowledge of theory and techniques in drug development and drug delivery.
  • Experience in sterile product development including emulsions, suspensions, and lipid-based delivery systems. cGMP knowledge and hands-on experience in sterile small molecule and Protein/biologics product development is a plus.
  • Strong written, and verbal communication, and presentation skills.
  • Good understanding cGMP, Regulatory Compliance including FDA/EU/ICH guidance with regards to drug development.

Salary and Benefits:

Frontage Laboratories offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including health and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, disability insurance, and life insurance.

Frontage Laboratories Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.


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