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Drug Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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Drug Development information

See Washington salary details

$37.4K

$87.7K

$150.6K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Washington is $87,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,300.00 and $102,500.00 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 Washington? For Drug Development jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Drug Development jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Drug Development job openings:
Associate Director Senior Patient Safety Scientist

Associate Director Senior Patient Safety Scientist

AstraZeneca

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$132K - $199K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


AstraZeneca rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 72 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Job Title: Associate Director Senior Patient Safety Scientist

Location: Gaithersburg, MD

At AstraZeneca, we work together to deliver innovative medicines to patients across global boundaries. We make an impact and find solutions to challenges. We do this with integrity, even in the most difficult situations, because we are committed to doing the right thing.

This is an opportunity to further develop your pharmacovigilance (PV) experience in safety programs, spanning the entire life cycle of drug development and peri-/post-submission. Our Scientists and Physicians play a strategic role in developing our medicines and the safety science of the program. AstraZeneca's oncology pipeline, which includes novel combinations and modalities, provides an intellectual challenge to the safety teams, requiring a broad portfolio and scientific management approach to projects. Our teams' experience develops as our portfolio does.

We are looking for an Associate Director, Senior Patient Safety (PS) Scientist to join our Patient Safety department, working in the Oncology Therapeutic Area. In this exciting and challenging role, you will work collaboratively with the Global Safety Physician (GSP) and other PV Scientists and physicians. You will play a role supporting the safety strategy and requirements for your assigned drug project(s). Your ability to work collaboratively will facilitate cross-functional interactions with colleagues from across AstraZeneca, including counterparts within Clinical Project Teams, Global Regulatory Affairs, and Global Commercial teams.

As an Associate Director, Senior Patient Safety Scientist, you will be involved in aggregating, reviewing, analyzing and interpreting safety-related data to generate information to support safety decision-making by prescribers, patients and payers, with the ultimate goal of protecting patients. You will apply your PV, oncology and scientific experience, knowledge and skills to deliver all aspects of safety documentation, including authoring and / or providing strategic safety input to regulatory documents, e.g., regulatory reports, health authority responses and the safety content of marketing authorization applications.

Patient Safety sits within the Chief Medical Office, where we have a crucial role to play. This is an exciting period for us, as well as for those poised to join us. Our strategy and ability to transform our medicines portfolio means we have a drug-development pipeline that presents incredible opportunities to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. Faced with complex disease challenges, we focus on exceptional performance to drive the best and most progressive drug development programs ever!

Minimum Education, Experience and Skill Requirements

  • A Bachelor's in sciences/pharmacy/nursing degree or related field
  • Minimum of 3+ years of validated experience
  • Patient Safety and/or Clinical/Drug Development proven experience working in safety &/or scientific activities in at least 3 of the following areas:
    • Clinical drug development (Early and/or Late Phase: develop & deliver program level safety strategy, including proactive risk identification & mitigation planning)
    • Post-Marketing Surveillance (including signal detection & evaluation)
    • MAA/BLA submissions (preparation and authoring of the safety related aspects of the Common Technical Document)
    • Periodic Safety Reports (deliver strategy, preparation and authoring)
    • Risk Management Plans (deliver strategy, preparation and authoring)
  • Governance board interactions and communication across a range of activities
  • Good knowledge of PV regulations
  • Demonstrated ability to handle more than one activity simultaneously, prioritizing well and recognizing key issues
  • Ability to work effectively in an advanced matrix structure
  • Proficient in written and verbal English

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

  • MSc/PhD/PharmD in scientific field
  • 2+ years of relevant experience
  • Understanding of epidemiology

Pay Transparency:

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $132,873.60 - $199,310.40.Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

AstraZeneca An Employer of Choice:

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and complementary team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be! We encourage and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.

We offer a competitive Total Reward program including a market driven base salary, bonus and long term incentive. We also provide a generous paid time off program and a comprehensive benefits package! If you have what it takes to create a culture of courageous leadership, creativity and collaboration, please apply today!

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or parental leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.

Date Posted

11-Jun-2026

Closing Date

24-Jun-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.


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