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Pharmacology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Communicates/presents key Clinical Pharmacology information/strategy to senior and executive management, regulatory agencies, and external peers. Supports strategic planning for drug development ...

Communicates/presents key Clinical Pharmacology information/strategy to senior and executive management, regulatory agencies, and external peers. Supports strategic planning for drug development ...

Lead preclinical pharmacology strategy across multiple discovery programs, with a focus on translating in vitro biology and functional assay data into meaningful in vivo outcomes. * Drive PK/PD ...

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$127.2K

$166K

How much do pharmacology jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for pharmacology in the United States is $127,248.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,000.00 and $142,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is pharmacology?

Pharmacology is the branch of science that studies how drugs interact with biological systems. It explores the effects, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, and side effects of pharmaceutical substances. Pharmacologists work to understand how drugs work at the molecular, cellular, and whole-body level, with the goal of developing safer and more effective medications. This field plays a crucial role in drug discovery, development, and testing.

What are the qualifications to get a job in pharmacology?

The qualifications that you need to start a career in pharmacology include an advanced degree and research skills. Pharmacologists can start their career by becoming a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D). Medical doctors (MDs) may also perform research in pharmacology. Another career path is to earn a Ph.D. in pharmacology or a related field, such as bioinformatics or microbiology. A pharmacology research technician can work on research projects with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology. In this position, you operate under direct supervision of a pharmacologist.

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

To thrive as a pharmacologist, you need a strong background in biology, chemistry, and pharmacology, usually supported by an advanced degree such as a master's or PhD in pharmacology or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, SPSS), and regulatory guidelines is essential. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for designing experiments and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure reliable research outcomes, regulatory compliance, and impactful contributions to drug development and safety.

What are some common challenges pharmacologists face when collaborating with cross-functional teams in drug development?

Pharmacologists often work alongside chemists, clinicians, regulatory specialists, and project managers during drug development. One common challenge is effectively communicating complex pharmacological data to team members with varying scientific backgrounds. Additionally, aligning research priorities and timelines across different departments can be difficult, especially when balancing safety profiles with therapeutic efficacy. Successful collaboration relies on strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and the ability to translate technical findings into actionable insights for the broader team.

What is the difference between Pharmacology vs Pharmacist?

AspectPharmacologyPharmacist
Required CredentialsDegree in pharmacology or related field, often a master's or PhDDoctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) or equivalent
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, pharmaceutical companiesCommunity pharmacies, hospitals, clinics
Industry UsageResearch, drug development, academiaPatient care, medication dispensing

Pharmacology focuses on studying drugs, their effects, and mechanisms, often in research or academic settings. Pharmacists, on the other hand, are healthcare professionals who dispense medications and advise patients. While both roles involve medications, pharmacology is research-oriented, whereas pharmacists are directly involved in patient care and medication management.

Are pharmacologists in high demand?

Pharmacologists are in steady demand due to their role in drug development, research, and safety testing. Employment opportunities are often found in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and government agencies, with a need for strong scientific knowledge and laboratory skills.

What can I do with a major in pharmacology?

A major in pharmacology prepares individuals for careers in drug research, development, and testing, as well as roles in pharmaceutical companies, healthcare settings, and regulatory agencies. Pharmacologists often work in laboratories, utilizing scientific skills and knowledge of biology and chemistry to develop new medications and ensure their safety and efficacy.

What careers can you do with pharmacology?

A degree in pharmacology can lead to careers such as pharmacologist, clinical researcher, drug development scientist, or regulatory affairs specialist. These roles often involve laboratory work, research, and understanding drug interactions, requiring strong analytical skills and knowledge of biology and chemistry. Opportunities exist in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, healthcare settings, and government agencies.

What jobs can you get with a pharmacology major?

A pharmacology major can lead to careers such as pharmacologist, clinical researcher, drug safety specialist, or pharmaceutical sales representative. These roles often require knowledge of drug mechanisms, laboratory skills, and regulatory compliance, and may involve working in laboratories, healthcare settings, or the pharmaceutical industry.

What cities are hiring for Pharmacology jobs?

Cities with the most Pharmacology job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Pharmacology jobs?

The most popular types of Pharmacology jobs are:

What states have the most Pharmacology jobs?

States with the most job openings for Pharmacology jobs include:

Infographic showing various Pharmacology job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 71% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 28% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,248 per year, or $61.2 per hour.

Director, Clinical Pharmacology

AbbVie

North Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 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

Communicates/presents key Clinical Pharmacology information/strategy to senior and executive management, regulatory agencies, and external peers. Supports strategic planning for drug development activities and projects to achieve departmental strategies, goals, and objectives. Utilizes scientific expertise to provide appropriate interpretation of data and relates implications of results to management. Serves as liaison to other departments/divisions for any study/project needs. Understands linkages across businesses and understands the impact of business decisions and solutions. May lead teams within Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics and accountable for effective performance of the teams.

Responsibilities

  • Leads Clinical Pharmacology/PK/PD activities and multiple major projects. Assists R&D senior management in the selection of action plans that best meets drug development business objectives.
  • Identifies issues and help with issue resolution. Conducts risk assessments and assists in development of contingency plans. Assures project remains in alignment with strategic objectives.
  • Provides overall timelines to assess portfolio opportunities. Negotiates with other functional areas on project outcomes and deliverables to meet conflicting demands (time, cost, quality/performance).
  • Provides scientific and strategic consultation to R&D, Regulatory, and all levels of management on critical decisions and development plans.
  • Responsible for evaluating technical, scientific aspects of all AbbVie projects along with CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY management. Reviews clinical protocols and scientific reports for regulatory filings and anticipates regulatory questions. Leads CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY regulatory documents writing, submission and response to Regulatory agency comments.
  • Independently conducts due diligence assessments, summarizes results and represents CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY on business development teams.
  • Identifies and develops process improvement initiatives and reviews recommendations with management for approval and sponsorship.
  • Contribute to development of departmental goals. Influences strategic PK/PD decisions for the department.
  • Performs functions and responsibilities with the highest regard for quality and timeliness. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of PK/PD data analysis, modeling and simulation methods and software.
  • May manage personnel including development, mentoring, and effective delegation.
Qualifications

This role can be hired based on the following qualifications: 

Director I

  • PhD with typically 7+ years of experience or Pharm D with typically 9+ years of experience in a relevant field, MS or equivalent education with typically 15+ years of experience; BS or equivalent education and typically 17+ years of experience; (*relevant field includes experience with PK, PBPK, PK-PD, Pharmacometrics or systems pharmacology, Drug metabolism/Transporters)
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge and experience in multiple therapeutic and/or functional areas
  • Experience across range of development phases
  • Knowledge of AbbVie and Pharma drug development processes
  • Must have demonstrated leadership competencies in PK/PD, Biopharmaceutics, and Pharmacometric activities from planning, implementation through completion across multiple projects
  • Scientific project leadership or related experience
  • Project management skills such as scope management, progress tracking/driving as well as time management
  • Participates in initiatives and advancement of CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
  • Key Leadership Competencies:
    Knows the business and the cross-functional contributions needed to deliver results
    Persistent and resilient finds the way to move good ideas forward
    Acts respectfully yet courageously
    Connects unrelated concepts, generates original or unique ideas
    Influences colleagues to achieve cross-functional alignment
    Communicates openly and honestly with all colleagues
    Manages conflict and difficult conversations in a constructive transparent way
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 this posting 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 short-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 and until 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