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Drug Development Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Deep Origin

VP/SVP of Drug Discovery

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200 - $300/hr

Our mission is to reduce failure rates, accelerate drug development, and eliminate unnecessary animal testing through high-fidelity computational models of human biology. We are not building ...

Almac Group

Business Development Manager

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$150K - $170K/hr

Good working knowledge of the drug development and clinical trial process What can Almac Group offer you? * 20 days PTO per year , accrued monthly following start date * Medical , Vision amp; Dental ...

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All JobsDrug Development JobsDrug Development Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Drug Development information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$40.4K

$94.8K

$162.8K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Berkeley, CA is $94,819.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $110,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 institutions, or pharmaceutical companies to discover, test, and bring new drugs to market, often requiring knowledge of biology, chemistry, and regulatory processes.

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 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.

How much do drug development professionals make?

Drug development professionals, including roles such as research scientists and clinical trial managers, typically earn between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while senior roles with advanced skills and certifications can exceed this range.

How do you get into drug development?

To enter drug development, individuals typically need a background in life sciences such as biology, chemistry, or pharmacology, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or advanced degree. Gaining experience through internships, research projects, or entry-level roles in pharmaceutical or biotech companies can be valuable, along with developing skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and regulatory compliance.

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 job categories do people searching Drug Development jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Development jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Drug Development job openings:

Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,819 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

External Research & Development - S San Francisco CA

National Guard Employment Network

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description


ATTENTION MILITARY AFFILIATED JOB SEEKERS - Our organization works with partner companies to source qualified talent for their open roles. The following position is available to Veterans, Transitioning Military, National Guard and Reserve Members, Military Spouses, Wounded Warriors, and their Caregivers. If you have the required skill set, education requirements, and experience, please click the submit button and follow the next steps. Unless specifically stated otherwise, this role is "On-Site" at the location detailed in the job post.
External Research & Development Director
What you will do
In this vital role you as the Business Development Director within the External R&D Early Innovation group, this role is responsible for leading Amgen's search and evaluation, as well as negotiate and execute on certain transactions, for external partnerships focusing on small molecule drug discovery, as well as technologies that support oncology therapeutic area. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with the business's broader goals will also be a critical part of your role.
The successful candidate will contribute to and execute on Amgen's external strategy and develop and nurture a global network of key industry and academic contacts to ensure robust communication of ideas, interests and information between the external community and internal groups.
The role requires proactive efforts to manage the search and identification of opportunities through networking and reviews of the external landscape and prioritizing based on Amgen's R&D strategy. The role includes leading the technical evaluations of opportunities by creating and managing cross-functional review teams, providing recommendations based on robust scientific and drug industry knowledge, and ensuring appropriate and efficient decision-making processes. This person will ensure efficient reviews and engage in business negotiations, and working with the legal team to execute contractual agreements for certain projects. The candidate will be responsible for leading strategic discussions and presentations, collaborating closely with senior management, R&D, and other functions to develop a set of priorities for collaboration, license, or M&A of external innovation. The External Research & Development - Technology Business Development Director will also be expected to contribute in search and evaluation and transactions for technology areas outside of small molecule drug discovery and oncology, as needs arise, as well as mentor others and present himself/herself as a thoughtful and respected professional to both internal colleagues and external parties.
It's highly preferred that this role be located at an Amgen Research hub in either South San Francisco, CA or Thousand Oaks, CA to match most of our research teams.
Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities
What we expect of you
We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The dynamic professional we seek is a leader with these qualifications.
Basic Qualifications:
Doctorate degree in a scientific field & 4 years of experience in drug development industry and/or biopharma business development
Or
Master's degree in a scientific field & 7 years of experience in drug development industry and/or biopharma business development
Or
Bachelor's degree in a scientific field & 9 years of experience in R&D and/or biopharma business development
Preferred Qualifications:
Doctorate in scientific field, with strong knowledge in discovery and technology platforms
4+ years of management and/or leadership experience in business and drug development activities, and strong technical R&D experience along with business development and licensing experience.
Strong leadership, scientific, organizational, communication, and project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent presentation skills. Effective communication skills pertaining to scientific and business development. Must demonstrate ability to foresee and solve problems, and prioritize and meet deadlines. Strong team player, experience in successfully managing direct reports and a demonstrated ability to interface effectively with all-levels of staff across differing functional expertise.
Demonstrated ability to create and establish relationships with internal and external parties.
Professional demeanor with strong decision making
Be able to work independently, manage large cross functional teams, and mentor individuals.
What you can expect of us
As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we'll support your journey every step of the way.
The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.
In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:
Salary Range
191,355.40USD -258,892.60 USD

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