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Phd Drug Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cascade Bio

Process Development Scientist

Denver, CO · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Process Development Scientist Location: Denver, CO (on-site) Type: Full-time Cascade Biocatalysts ... PhD or MS in biochemistry, chemical engineering, organic chemistry, or a related field with a ...

Cascade Bio

Process Development Scientist

Denver, CO · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Process Development Scientist Location: Denver, CO (on-site) Type: Full-time Cascade Biocatalysts ... PhD or MS in biochemistry, chemical engineering, organic chemistry, or a related field with a ...

Cypress HCM

R&D Scientist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$110/hr

R&D Scientist Overview: We are seeking a Senior R&D Scientist to join our startup team and help ... PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field * Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid ...

Merck & Co.

Maintain a strong commitment to the development of Compound Leaders and Discovery Program Leaders ... PhD, DVM, and/or MD degree with graduate and/or post-graduate work and/or residency training in ...

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How much do phd drug development scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for phd drug 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.

What does a PhD drug development scientist do?

A PhD Drug Development Scientist is responsible for researching, designing, and conducting experiments to develop new pharmaceutical drugs or improve existing ones. They typically work in laboratories within pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, or academic institutions. Their work involves understanding disease mechanisms, identifying drug targets, optimizing drug candidates, and ensuring safety and efficacy through preclinical and clinical trials. They also analyze data, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and comply with regulatory standards throughout the drug development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD drug development scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PhD Drug Development Scientist, you need deep expertise in pharmacology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, typically backed by a doctoral degree in a relevant scientific field. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, data analysis software, and regulatory documentation systems is crucial, as are certifications like Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Strong analytical thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and effective collaboration and communication skills help you navigate complex research and multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure rigorous scientific discovery, regulatory compliance, and successful advancement of drug candidates from research through clinical development.

What are some common challenges faced by PhD drug development scientists during the transition from discovery to clinical trials?

PhD Drug Development Scientists often encounter challenges when moving a promising compound from the discovery phase to clinical trials, such as ensuring the drug's safety profile, scalability of synthesis, and regulatory compliance. Balancing scientific rigor with tight project timelines requires strong project management and cross-functional collaboration with regulatory, clinical, and manufacturing teams. Additionally, adapting to evolving regulatory requirements and troubleshooting unexpected preclinical results are common hurdles. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for advancing new therapies to patients and offers valuable experience for career growth.

What is the difference between Phd Drug Development Scientist vs Pharmacologist?

AspectPhd Drug Development ScientistPharmacologist
Required CredentialsPhD in Pharmacology, Chemistry, or related fieldPhD or MD in Pharmacology or related discipline
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firmsResearch institutions, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare settings
Industry UsageDeveloping new drugs, conducting preclinical studiesStudying drug effects, mechanisms, and interactions
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Phd Drug Development Scientist focuses on designing and developing new drugs through research and preclinical testing, while the Pharmacologist studies how drugs work in the body, including their effects and interactions. Both roles require advanced degrees and are integral to the pharmaceutical industry, but they differ in their primary focus and daily responsibilities.

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Phd Drug Development Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Phd Drug Development Scientist job openings in the United States 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, with an average salary of $80,420 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Senior Scientist II - Biologics Drug Product Development

AbbVie

North Chicago, IL • On-site

$109K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

AbbVie rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 86 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

Company Description
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
Biologics Drug Product Development (Bio DPD), a part of Development Sciences within AbbVie's R&D, is a global organization that is responsible for drug product formulation and process development, and definition of the product presentation for biologics (proteins, conjugates, peptides, neurotoxins etc.) and genetic medicine (AAV, LNPs, Cell Therapy).
AbbVie is seeking a highly motivated candidate for the position of Senior Scientist II, located in North Chicago, IL. We are seeking an accomplished scientist with a proven track record in biologics drug product formulation development, predictive stability, in-use, and quality risk management (QRM). This position will be an integral part of the product development and CMC teams and will have strong collaborations with several stakeholders, including discovery research, analytical research and development, bioprocess development, combination products development, product development science and technology, pilot plants and third-party manufacturers.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead matrix drug product teams for one or more internal and external projects and represent Bio DPD in the cross-functional Product Presentation and Device Strategy Team (PPDST) and the CMC Team.
  • Lead the design and execution of biologics drug product formulation development, characterization and robustness studies.
  • Serve as subject matter expert in biologics predictive stability modeling, in-use and administration procedures, and QRM.
  • Effectively and timely communicate development plans, risks, and mitigation plans to stakeholders and line management.
  • Initiate and/or support scientific initiatives to drive innovation, continuously enhance capabilities and platforms, and improve business processes.

Qualifications
  • Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines with 12+ (Bachelors), 10+ (Masters), or 4+ (PhD) years of relevant industry experience.
  • Proven ability to solve critical scientific problems.
  • Experience leading drug product development as the functional lead within cross-functional teams
  • Strong experience with biologics (proteins, conjugates, peptides and/or neurotoxins) and/or genetic medicine (AAV, LNPs, cell therapy) formulation development, and QRM.
  • Strong experience in predictive stability modeling (statistical, phenomenological and mechanistic, and/or AI/ML) for biologics.
  • Strong experience in in-use compatibility and stability for biologics products.
  • Strong experience in quality risk management.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Understanding of relevant cGMP and regulatory guidance.
  • Experience with sterile manufacturing unit operations (freeze-thaw, compounding, mixing, filtration and filling) development, characterization, scale-up and technology transfer.
  • Experience in managing third party manufacturers of sterile parenteral products.
  • Experience with quality risk management and drug product control strategies.

Key Competencies:
  • Deep scientific knowledge and significant hands-on experience with predictive stability modeling, administration procedures and risk management.
  • Effectively communicates to influence without authority, drives technical excellence, and inspires continuous improvement.
  • Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functional partners to enable higher performance.
  • Connects ideas from disparate fields, integrates data and information quickly, and takes risks to achieve the highest performance.
  • Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo.
  • Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
  • Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation and manages innovation to reality.

Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of thisposting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location,and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission,incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless anduntil paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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About AbbVie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

North Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2013

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