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Drug Development Jobs in Lexington, KY (NOW HIRING)

ultra, Inc.

Product Development Engineer

Frankfort, KY · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

Position Product Development Engineer - ULTRA Key Responsibilities * Own the full lifecycle of oral ... Experience with oral drug or supplement delivery systems (buccal, sublingual, lozenge, pouch ...

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IQVIA

Senior Research Coordinator

Versailles, KY

$44K - $110K/yr

Solid understanding of site operations and the drug development process. * Experience: * CRC I: Minimum of 1-3 years in clinical research setting at a clinical investigative site working with ...

IQVIA

Senior Research Coordinator

Versailles, KY

$44K - $110K/yr

Solid understanding of site operations and the drug development process. * Experience: * CRC I: Minimum of 1-3 years in clinical research setting at a clinical investigative site working with ...

IQVIA

Senior Research Coordinator

Lexington, KY

$44K - $110K/yr

Solid understanding of site operations and the drug development process. * Experience: * CRC I: Minimum of 1-3 years in clinical research setting at a clinical investigative site working with ...

IQVIA

Senior Research Coordinator

Lexington, KY

$44K - $110K/yr

Solid understanding of site operations and the drug development process. * Experience: * CRC I: Minimum of 1-3 years in clinical research setting at a clinical investigative site working with ...

IQVIA, Inc.

Senior Research Coordinator

Lexington, KY · On-site

$44K - $110K/yr

Solid understanding of site operations and the drug development process. * Experience: * CRC I: Minimum of 1-3 years in clinical research setting at a clinical investigative site working with ...

Kindeva Drug Delivery

Senior QC Microbiologist

Lexington, KY · On-site

$25.25 - $33.25/hr

Responsibilities Microbiological Testing & Method Development * Develop, qualify, and improve ... Perform release and/or stability testing on excipients, components, drug substances, and drug ...

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All JobsDrug Development JobsDrug Development Jobs in Lexington, KY

Drug Development information

See Lexington, KY salary details

$29K

$68.1K

$117K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Lexington, KY is $68,114.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $79,600.00 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 Lexington, KY?

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

What job categories do people searching Drug Development jobs in Lexington, KY look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Development jobs in Lexington, KY are:

What cities near Lexington, KY are hiring for Drug Development jobs?

Cities near Lexington, KY with the most Drug Development job openings:

Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Lexington, KY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,114 per year, or $32.7 per hour.

Senior Scientist I, Analytical Chemistry

Kindeva Drug Delivery

Lexington, KY • On-site

$90K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Our Work Matters
At Kindeva, we make products that save lives, ensuring better health and well-being for patients around the world.
Why Kindeva?
  • Purpose-driven work environment
  • Significant growth potential
  • Collaborative team culture
  • Direct impact on patient care
  • Industry-leading innovation

The Impact You Will Make
Transform Lives Through Scientific Innovation
Join a growing pharmaceutical CDMO where your expertise will directly support the development of innovative drug products that improve patient health worldwide.
As a Senior Scientist, Analytical Chemistry, you will serve as a technical leader within the R&D Analytical Chemistry group, leading analytical strategies that support pharmaceutical product development from early-stage development through commercialization. You will provide scientific leadership in method development, validation, verification, transfer, and troubleshooting activities while partnering with cross-functional teams to advance customer programs and internal development initiatives.
This role is ideal for a scientist who thrives in a fast-paced development environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about mentoring others while advancing analytical capabilities within a growing organization.
Growth Opportunity
Our Lexington site continues to experience significant growth across development and manufacturing programs. This position offers the opportunity to lead complex analytical projects, support innovative drug development programs, influence technical strategy, mentor junior scientists, and expand Kindeva's analytical capabilities while working closely with customers and internal development teams.
Responsibilities
Analytical Method Development & Validation
  • Lead the development, optimization, and validation of robust analytical methods for drug substances and drug products in accordance with ICH, USP, and regulatory guidelines.
  • Design and execute complex analytical studies to support formulation development, process development, stability programs, and customer projects.
  • Lead or support technology transfer of analytical methods to internal and external QC laboratories and CMOs.
  • Support qualification of new analytical laboratory equipment.
  • Implement new analytical techniques and instrumentation to expand internal capabilities.
  • Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for analytical technologies, method troubleshooting, and regulatory inspections.

Scientific Leadership & Technical Execution
  • Provide leadership and execution of complex scientific experiments.
  • Utilize creative thinking to generate solutions to complex technical problems.
  • Prioritize personal workload to ensure key objectives are achieved on time and within project expectations.
  • Stay current with advancements in analytical technologies, industry best practices, and regulatory expectations.
  • Mentor and provide technical oversight to junior scientists and analysts, ensuring scientific rigor and compliance with quality standards.

Documentation, Compliance & Regulatory Support
  • Author and review technical documents, including method validation protocols and reports, specifications, analytical development reports, and regulatory submissions (IND, NDA, ANDA, BLA).
  • Prepare and maintain accurate and timely laboratory records in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with GMP requirements, regulatory expectations, and internal quality systems.
  • Support regulatory inspections, customer audits, and compliance initiatives as required.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Business Support
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Formulation Development, Process Development, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and customer teams to ensure successful product development.
  • Represent Analytical Chemistry in project meetings and customer meetings with limited supervision.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and innovation within the analytical development function.
  • Support Marketing and Business Development activities through technical presentations, posters, publications, blogs, white papers, and industry conferences.
  • Support cross-functional training and execution of activities within the R&D Product Development & Design Team as needed.

Qualifications
  • PhD in a scientific discipline with 1+ years of relevant experience; Master's degree with 3+ years of experience; Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of experience; or 9+ years of equivalent experience without a degree.
  • In-depth experience with analytical techniques including HPLC, UPLC, GC, UV, FTIR, spray testing, compendial methods, and related analytical technologies.
  • Demonstrated success in analytical method development, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting under GMP and ICH guidelines.
  • Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and CMC components of pharmaceutical drug development.
  • Experience with stability testing, impurity/degradant characterization, and forced degradation studies.
  • Proven ability to lead technical projects and work effectively within cross-functional teams.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience authoring technical and regulatory documentation.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor, influence, and develop junior scientists and technical staff.
  • Experience with nasal spray drug products and device-related analytical testing is preferred.
  • Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, contract development and manufacturing (CDMO), or regulated product development environments strongly preferred.

Physical Demands / Qualifications
  • Employee is required to regularly use hands in order to handle laboratory materials and supplies.
  • Employee is required to use computers for extended periods each day.
  • Employee is required to effectively communicate through both verbal and electronic means.
  • Employee is required to regularly stand and walk for extended periods of time.
  • Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
  • Ability to use proper lifting techniques and remain aware of laboratory and workplace hazards.
  • Employee is required to follow all site safety procedures and wear appropriate PPE.

Join our One Team mission of manufacturing more tomorrows. Your scientific expertise will help advance innovative therapies and improve the health and well-being of patients around the world.
#LI-Onsite
California residents should review our Notice for California Employees and Applicants before applying.
Kindeva does not accept unsolicited assistance from headhunters or recruitment firms for any of our job openings. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted to Kindeva employees-regardless of format-without a valid, signed agreement and an approved job order from an authorized signatory in Talent Acquisition will be considered the sole property of Kindeva. No fees will be paid in the event that a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited resume or referral.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Kindeva Drug Delivery is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, Protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Do you see yourself as part of the Kindeva mission? Click Apply Now Today!

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