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Drug Discovery Development Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Drug Development Specialist

Austin, TX · On-site

$75 - $115/hr

Develop high-quality instruction specs and golden solutions for drug discovery. Define tasks ... Translate tacit development judgment into explicit criteria. Qualifications Must-Have * PhD or ...

Corning

Director, Business Development, DCBU

Austin, TX · On-site

$151K - $208K/yr

Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives * Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected * Optical fiber, wireless ...

Corning

Director, Business Development, DCBU

Austin, TX · On-site

$151K - $208K/yr

Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives * Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected * Optical fiber, wireless ...

Corning

Director, Business Development, DCBU

Austin, TX · On-site

$151K - $208K/yr

Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives * Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected * Optical fiber, wireless ...

MD Anderson

Postdoctoral Fellow - Genomic Medicine

Houston, TX · On-site

$46K - $63K/yr

Develop skills in the development, optimization, and validation of biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays in a drug discovery setting with iterative input from novel AI tools. Develop a deep ...

MD Anderson

Postdoctoral Fellow - Genomic Medicine

Houston, TX · On-site +1

$46K - $63K/yr

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Gain an understanding of key components and bottlenecks in cancer drug discovery. Develop an understanding of a hands-on experience in data science analytics and model development ...

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Drug Discovery Development information

What is drug discovery and development?

Drug discovery and development is the process of identifying new candidate medications and bringing them to market. It involves several stages, including target identification, screening of compounds, preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. The goal is to find safe and effective drugs that can treat or prevent diseases. This process is complex, time-consuming, and requires collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and regulatory agencies. Successful drug development can take many years and significant financial investment.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in drug discovery development when transitioning from early-stage research to clinical trials?

One common challenge in Drug Discovery Development is ensuring that promising compounds identified during early-stage research demonstrate both efficacy and safety in preclinical and clinical settings. This transition requires close collaboration between multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and regulatory experts. Navigating regulatory requirements, securing funding, and managing timelines are also significant challenges. Professionals must be adept at adapting project strategies based on new data and feedback from regulatory agencies to keep development on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in drug discovery development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Drug Discovery Development, you need a solid background in biochemistry, pharmacology, or related life sciences, typically with an advanced degree such as a PhD or MS. Proficiency in laboratory techniques, data analysis software (e.g., Prism, ChemDraw), and familiarity with regulatory standards are essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualities are critical for efficiently developing safe, effective drugs and successfully advancing compounds through the discovery pipeline.

What is the difference between Drug Discovery Development vs Drug Regulatory Affairs?

AspectDrug Discovery DevelopmentDrug Regulatory Affairs
Primary FocusIdentifying and developing new drug candidates through research and laboratory workEnsuring compliance with regulations and obtaining approvals for drugs
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, early-stage development teamsRegulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, compliance departments
Required CredentialsDegree in life sciences, chemistry, or related fields; often PhDs or advanced degreesDegree in life sciences, pharmacy, or related fields; regulatory certifications beneficial

Drug Discovery Development focuses on creating new drugs through research, while Drug Regulatory Affairs ensures these drugs meet legal standards for market approval. Both roles are essential in the pharmaceutical industry but differ in their core responsibilities and work environments.

What are popular job titles related to Drug Discovery Development jobs in Texas?

For Drug Discovery Development jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drug Discovery Development jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Drug Discovery Development jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Drug Discovery Development jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Drug Discovery Development job openings:

Drug Discovery Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drug Discovery Development job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Associate Director, Assay Development - Institute for Drug Discovery

UTMB Health

Galveston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

UTMB Health rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 170 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

378th of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the VP, Drug Discovery, and Director of the Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery ("SIDD"), the Associate Director, Assay Development will play a pivotal role in advancing our drug discovery programs by leading a state-of-the-art high-throughput screening (HTS) and automation facility in the design, optimization, and implementation of high-quality biochemical and cellular assays and troubleshooting of HTS campaigns. This individual will work closely with cross-functional teams to drive assay development efforts, contribute to target validation, and facilitate the identification of lead compounds for further development. The successful candidate will have a strong background in assay development, a track record of innovation, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative research environment. The Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery (SIDD) is a renowned research institute dedicated to advancing drug discovery and development to address unmet medical needs.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the design, optimization, and validation of biochemical and cellular assays to support drug discovery programs.
  • Manage automation workflows, ensuring biosafety compliance within BSL-2 environments.
  • Maintain data quality control standards.
  • Oversee instrument maintenance and operations.
  • Collaborate with project teams to define assay requirements, establish performance criteria, and prioritize development activities.
  • Implement state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies to enhance assay sensitivity, specificity, and robustness.
  • Manage assay development projects, including timelines, resources, and budget allocation.
  • Evaluate and integrate new assay platforms, instrumentation, and automation technologies to improve efficiency and throughput.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and industry standards for assay development and validation.
  • Provide technical expertise and guidance to research staff on assay development strategies and troubleshooting.
  • Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in assay development and drug discovery.

  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence within the assay development team.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  • Expertise in the design, optimization, and validation of biochemical and cellular assays for drug discovery applications.
  • Proficiency in a wide range of assay formats and detection technologies, including fluorescence, luminescence, and label-free assays.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex assay issues.
  • Experience managing cross-functional projects in a collaborative research environment.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of drug discovery principles and processes, including target identification, validation, and lead optimization.
  • Familiarity with relevant software tools for data analysis and assay automation.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet project deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related field plus six (6) years of industry or academic experience in assay development, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sector including experience in biochemical and cell based high throughput screening, including assay development and optimization as well as experience with automated screening workflows.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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