1

Drug Development Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Packaging Operator

Stevens Point, WI · On-site

$16.50 - $20/hr

Are you ready to join a growing, global drug development and manufacturing organization that puts people first? Come to Adare! We work closely with our pharmaceutical industry partners during all ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Drug Development information

See Wisconsin salary details

$33.3K

$78.2K

$134.2K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Wisconsin is $78,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $91,300.00 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.

How much does drug development make?

Drug development professionals, including roles such as research scientists and project managers, typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while senior roles or specialized positions can earn higher salaries, especially in biotech hubs or with advanced certifications.

Is drug discovery a good career?

Drug discovery is a vital part of drug development, involving identifying potential new medications through research and laboratory work. It requires strong scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and often collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. The field offers opportunities for innovation and growth, but can also involve long hours and high-pressure environments.

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 do you need to get into drug development?

Drug development professionals typically need at least a bachelor's degree in fields such as chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related disciplines. Advanced roles often require a master's or doctoral degree, along with laboratory skills and knowledge of regulatory processes.

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 cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Drug Development jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Drug Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $78,163 per year, or $37.6 per hour.
Scientist - Process Development, Drug Substance Lifecycle

Scientist - Process Development, Drug Substance Lifecycle

Catalent Pharma Solutions

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Catalent rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 74 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Scientist - Process Development, Drug Substance Lifecycle

Position Summary:

  • Work Schedule: M-F 8am-5pm
  • 100% on-site

Catalent is a global, high-growth, public company, and a leading partner for the pharmaceutical industry in the development and manufacturing of new treatments for patients worldwide. Your talents, ideas, and passion are essential to our mission: to help people live better, healthier lives. Catalent is committed to a Patient First culture through excellence in quality and compliance, and to the safety of every patient, consumer and Catalent employee.

Catalent Pharma Solutions in Madison, WI is hiring a Scientist - Process Development, Drug Substance Lifecycle. The Downstream Process Development team is responsible for the development and implementation of downstream processing methodologies and analytical procedures that can be easily transferred to the cGMP Manufacturing Team. The process characterization function within the Downstream Process Development group will be responsible for the characterization of previously developed or transferred processes heading towards commercial manufacturing

The Role:

  • Experience with quality control and quality control tracking systems including change control and deviations.
  • Update group members on background and status of client projects by giving oral updates or internal presentations.
  • Maintain project timelines.
  • Troubleshoot and problem solve in order to initiate and execute/monitor corrective actions.
  • Act as the technical lead for client development projects, communicate project status internally and externally, and effectively provide technical explanation/rationalization.
  • Critically analyze complex data, interpret and integrate experimental results with project objectives.
  • Drive lifecycle improvements with consideration of their impact on filing, critical attributes, and specifications. Provide technical expertise while communicating decisions for process improvement, understanding, validation, in collaboration with Catalent personal
  • Train others on procedures and laboratory techniques.
  • Author and may approve technical documents such as protocols, test methods, test reports, certificates of analysis, and operating procedures.
  • Review technical documents for accuracy, thoroughness, and regulatory compliance.
  • Train, coach, or mentor others on technical, personal development, or business issues.
  • Participate in client meetings offering technical support and leading the project.
  • Research and develop existing and new technologies/process improvements.Manage client projects
  • Write procedural SOPs, batch production records, and reports.
  • Accurately review batch records and other data, ensuring consistency.
  • Execute purification experiments including automated chromatography (AKTA platform), filtration, clarification, column packing, and tangential flow filtration independently.
  • Knowledge of protein purification and analysis with an in depth understanding of all modes of chromatography.
  • Knowledge of scale up principles with respect to purification and filtration.
  • Adhere to good documentation practices.
  • Other duties as assigned related to downstream process development activities


The Candidate:

  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 6-9 years related experience, OR
  • Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3-5 years related experience, OR
  • Doctorate Degree in a STEM discipline and 0-2 years related experience.
  • Knowledge of the principles of drug substance lifecycle management, particularly with respect to biologics process development and manufacturing
  • Experience working on late phase, process characterization, process performance qualification and commercial programs is required
  • Experience in product/process CMC life cycle management including pre-approval, launch, and post-approval stages is preferred
  • Process scale chromatography and filtration (viral, chromatography, tangential flow, normal flow) experience
  • Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting chromatography workstations and process skids, preferably in an industrial setting
  • Viral clearance validation, process scale up, and technology transfer

Why you should join Catalent:

  • Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process
  • Diverse, inclusive culture
  • Positive working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative
  • Potential for career growth on an expanding team within an organization dedicated to preserving and bettering lives
  • 152 hours of PTO + 8 paid holidays
  • Generous 401K match
  • Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment
  • Tuition Reimbursement- Let us help you finish your degree or start a new degree!

Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.

personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.

Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.

Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:

Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond- it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.

California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.


What Catalent employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Catalent logo

About Catalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.Catalent is committed to the health and safety of its employees, visitors and the customers and patients we serve.

Industry

Pharmaceutical product wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Somerset, NJ, US

Year founded

2007

Social media