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Drug Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Knowledge of GCP and ICH guidelines preferred; drug development/clinical trial experience essential. Knowledge of safety databases and/or MedDRA coding preferred Experience leading clinical and cross ...

Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team on public policy trends, legislative developments, and regulatory issues impacting drug development, pain management, and biotechnology innovation.

Must have a thorough knowledge of clinical research concepts, practices, and FDA regulations and ICH Guidelines regarding drug development phases, clinical research and medical writing standards ...

Life Science Clinical Manager

Washington, DC ยท On-site +1

$73K - $101K/yr

Experience with evaluation of business processes related to drug development, including workflows, key activities, inputs, outputs, and interdependencies * Experience analyzing clinical processes to ...

This is a strategic and critical role in the development of protocols and statistical designs in different phases of clinical trials leading to approval of drug products in different phases of ...

The Director, Clinical Development provides medical leadership and oversight of all aspects of drug development. This individual serves as scientific and medical lead for clinical team(s) and ...

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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 26, 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:

S & P Specialist

TRI Challenge Convention

Bethesda, MD โ€ข Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Ensures compliance with TRI Standard Operating Procedures, Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization regulations and global regulations for the reporting of adverse events to regulatory agencies Develops and ensures the uniform and timely processing of adverse event reports Provides medical evaluation of adverse event reports Performs various tasks in support of clinical research including the reporting, collecting, and sharing of results and issues around adverse event reports both for currently marketed drugs as well as those in the experimental stages of development Maintains/updates agent-specific clinical and preclinical toxicity study summary tables for investigational agents Performs literature searches Performs various tasks in support of clinical research including adverse event analysis and processing, serious adverse event reconciliation. Preparation of IND safety reports for submission to the FDA; safety document or data analysis. Clinical trial site support; reporting, collecting, and sharing of results and issues around adverse event reports both for currently marketed drugs as well as those in the experimental stages of development.

Assists in the preparation of new drug application safety updates, investigational new drug safety reports, investigator communication, product labeling/package inserts, and other reports as necessary. May review experimental protocols and informed consent documents; and prepare, review, and edit presentations regarding safety issues.Knowledge of GCP and ICH guidelines preferred; drug development/clinical trial experience essential. Knowledge of safety databases and/or MedDRA coding preferred

Experience leading clinical and cross functional teams is a plus. Must have excellent oral, written, presentation and computer skills. 2+ years of academic, pharmaceutical or biotech industry or academic experience.

This is a hybrid position with 2 days in TRI's Bethesda, Maryland office, and 3 days working remotely.Knowledge of GCP and ICH guidelines preferred; drug development/clinical trial experience essential. Knowledge of safety databases and/or MedDRA coding preferred. Experience leading clinical and cross functional teams is a plus

Must have excellent oral, written, presentation and computer skills. 2+ years of academic, pharmaceutical or biotech industry or academic experience. This is a hybrid position with 2 days in TRI's Bethesda, Maryland office, and 3 days working remotely.