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Pharmaceutical Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Catalent, Inc.

Development Scientist II

Greenville, NC · On-site

Development Scientist II The Development Scientist II serves as a primary point of contact with the client regarding pharmaceutical development and clinical manufacturing project related activities.

Catalent, Inc.

Development Scientist II

Greenville, NC · On-site

Development Scientist II The Development Scientist II serves as a primary point of contact with the client regarding pharmaceutical development and clinical manufacturing project related activities.

Catalent, Inc.

Development Scientist I

Greenville, NC · On-site

The Development Scientist I will serve as the primary point of contact with the client regarding pharmaceutical development and clinical manufacturing project related activities. The Development ...

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How much do pharmaceutical development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for pharmaceutical development scientist in the United States is $38.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.37 and $46.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do I get into R&D Pharmacy?

To become a Pharmaceutical Development Scientist, typically a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, chemistry, or a related field is required, with many roles favoring or requiring a master's or Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences or chemistry. Gaining experience through internships, research projects, or entry-level positions in pharmaceutical R&D helps build relevant skills. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and regulatory guidelines is also beneficial.

What are some common challenges Pharmaceutical Development Scientists face when transitioning a drug from the lab to large-scale manufacturing?

Pharmaceutical Development Scientists often encounter challenges related to scaling up a drug formulation from laboratory experiments to full-scale production. This process requires careful optimization to ensure that the product maintains its efficacy, safety, and quality while being manufacturable at a commercial scale. Issues such as ingredient compatibility, process reproducibility, and regulatory compliance frequently arise, demanding collaboration with cross-functional teams in manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs. Adaptability and problem-solving skills are essential for overcoming these hurdles and ensuring successful product development.

What does a Pharmaceutical Development Scientist do?

A Pharmaceutical Development Scientist is responsible for researching, designing, and developing new drugs and medications. They work on formulating drug compounds, ensuring their safety and efficacy through laboratory testing, and optimizing production processes. These scientists collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and play a key role in advancing medicines from concept to market. Their work is critical in improving healthcare outcomes and meeting regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Pharmaceutical Development Scientist vs Formulation Scientist?

AspectPharmaceutical Development ScientistFormulation Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Pharmacy, Chemistry, or related fields; often requires experience in drug developmentBachelor's or Master's in Pharmacy, Chemistry, or related fields; focus on formulation techniques
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, development departments, pharmaceutical companiesResearch labs, manufacturing, pharmaceutical companies
Industry UsageInvolved in early-stage drug development, formulation, and process optimizationSpecializes in creating and testing drug formulations for stability and delivery

The main difference is that Pharmaceutical Development Scientists focus on the overall development and process optimization of new drugs, while Formulation Scientists concentrate specifically on designing and testing drug formulations. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but their core responsibilities differ within the drug development process.

How much do pharmaceutical developers make?

Pharmaceutical development scientists typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with advanced skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in research and regulatory roles.

Is there a demand for pharmaceutical scientists?

Pharmaceutical development scientists are in high demand due to ongoing advancements in drug discovery, regulatory requirements, and the need for innovative therapies. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as the pharmaceutical industry expands and invests in research and development, often requiring skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and regulatory compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pharmaceutical Development Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pharmaceutical Development Scientist, you need a solid background in chemistry, biology, or pharmaceutical sciences, often supported by an advanced degree such as a Master's or Ph.D. and relevant laboratory experience. Familiarity with analytical instrumentation (like HPLC and mass spectrometry), regulatory compliance systems (such as GMP), and data analysis software is crucial. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top professionals apart. These abilities are vital for developing safe, effective medications and ensuring regulatory compliance in a highly collaborative and precise environment.

What is the highest paid pharmaceutical scientist?

The highest paid pharmaceutical scientists are typically senior-level professionals such as Principal Scientists or Directors of Pharmaceutical Development, with salaries exceeding $150,000 annually. Factors influencing pay include experience, specialization, and the size of the company, with those in leadership roles or with advanced expertise earning the most.
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Pharmaceutical Development Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pharmaceutical Development Scientist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,420 per year, or $38.7 per hour.
Development Scientist II

Development Scientist II

Catalent, Inc.

Greenville, NC • On-site

Full-time

Life, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Development Scientist II
The Development Scientist II serves as a primary point of contact with the client regarding pharmaceutical development and clinical manufacturing project related activities. The Development Scientist II is responsible for supporting these activities in the areas of supervision, process development, clinical trial batch manufacturing, packing and documentation.
Position Summary
This position is 100% on-site at the Greenville site.
Catalent's Greenville, N.C. facility specializes in end-to-end turn-key solutions for oral solid dosage forms, including integrated formulation development, analytical services, commercial manufacturing, and packaging. This state-of-the-art facility has had over $100M of investments in recent years and features fit-for-scale capacity with potent handling capabilities, ideal for orphan or targeted drug development.
The Development Scientist II is responsible for all formulation and process development of several ongoing projects including project management and customer contact.
The Role
  • Responsible for GMP compliance in formulation and process development.
  • Responsible for assisting with planning and operating within a budget for the pharmaceutical area.
  • Work directly with customers and potential customers to agree on development approaches and scope of work.
  • Independently assist manufacturing group with batch manufacture and packaging/labeling, including set-up and cleaning.
  • Lead efforts in solving formulation and process problems.
  • Directly support with writing batch records, SOPs, IQ/OQ/PQ documents, development/technical reports, and CMC sections for regulatory submissions as directed.
  • Ensure that all work is accurate, precise, properly documented and, when appropriate, performed within GMP guidelines.
  • All other duties as assigned.

The Candidate
  • Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology or related field with eight or more years of experience in pharmaceutical development with focus on solids formulation required or;
  • Master's degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Industry Pharmacy, or related field with six or more years of experience in pharmaceutical development required or;
  • Ph.D. in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Industry Pharmacy or related field with four or more years of experience in pharmaceutical development required or;
  • Some exposure to hazardous chemicals and other active chemical ingredients.
  • Position requires the capacity to handle and manipulate objects using hands and arms.
  • Requires ability to occasionally lift items in excess of 50 pounds.
  • This position requires that a respirator be worn for your safety, and as such, employment is contingent upon being able to complete a medical evaluation with satisfactory results. The medical evaluation is conducted via an external vendor assigned by Catalent.

Why You Should Work At Catalent
  • Spearhead exciting and innovative projects
  • Fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • High visibility to members at all levels of the organization
  • 152 hours of PTO + 8 paid holidays

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.
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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

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