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Drug Development Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

TRI Challenge Convention

S & P Specialist

Bethesda, MD · Hybrid

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 ...

CEDENT

Senior Medical Writer

Rockville, MD

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 ...

AstraZeneca

Senior Scientist - Evinova

Gaithersburg, MD · Hybrid

$98K - $135K/yr

If you're passionate about advancing oncology drug development, consider joining us as a Senior Scientist in Clinical Outcomes Assessment (COA) Measurement Science. In this role, you'll apply your ...

AstraZeneca

Regulatory Affairs Director

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$162K - $213K/yr

Knowledge and understanding of guiding principles in drug development such as benefit/risk profile, dose selection or statistical design. Broad background of experience working in pharmaceutical ...

AstraZeneca

Regulatory Affairs Director

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$162K - $213K/yr

Knowledge and understanding of guiding principles in drug development such as benefit/risk profile, dose selection or statistical design. * Broad background of experience working in pharmaceutical ...

Otsuka

Associate Director, Biostatistics

Rockville, MD · On-site +1

Maintain a current awareness of new drug developments and statistical methodologies in the business. * Demonstrated experience leading Phase 1 and early-phase clinical studies, including FIH, dose ...

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All JobsDrug Development JobsDrug Development Jobs in Washington, DC

Drug Development information

See Washington, DC salary details

$37.4K

$87.7K

$150.6K

How much do drug development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug development in Washington, DC 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 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 Washington, DC?

For Drug Development jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drug Development jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Development jobs in Washington, DC are:

Drug Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Development job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,706 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

S & P Specialist

TRI Challenge Convention

Bethesda, MD • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 18 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.

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