Pharmacologist Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a pharmacologist you would work in a team of scientists and other staff, perhaps leading and planning projects.

Your work could include:

• designing, setting up and carrying out experiments
• analysing data using complex equipment and measuring systems
• testing drugs on cells and animals in labs and through clinical trials on humans
• writing reports and making recommendations based on the results of experiments and research
• using the results of research to develop new products and processes
• studying the unwanted or harmful effects of drugs
• testing the safety of manufactured products.

You would share the results of your work with colleagues, for example by contributing to meetings and conferences, and publishing reports. You may also supervise support staff and manage and co-ordinate projects.

Hours

You would normally work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, as a full-time pharmacologist. You will occasionally be involved in experiments or clinical trials that mean working longer hours. If you are based in a university or work as a researcher in industry, you will regularly work extra hours.

You will wear protective clothing to prevent cross contamination.

Some travelling may be involved, for example, when carrying out fieldwork or attending scientific meetings and conferences.

Income

• Starting salaries may be between £21,000 and £28,000 a year
• Senior pharmacologists may earn between £35,000 and £80,000.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You will need a degree-level qualification. Pharmacology is the most relevant subject, however, a degree in biochemistry, physiology, or microbiology may also be accepted by employers in this field.

Pharmacology degree courses are available on a full-time or part-time basis. Some courses, such as sandwich degrees, include a year working in industry, which could give you an advantage when you start applying for work. For further advice about how to gain experience in the pharmaceutical industry, check the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry Careers website.

• Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Careers

To get on to a course, you will usually need:

• five GCSEs (A-C)
• three A levels, including chemistry, biology and either physics or maths.

Check with course providers for exact entry details as alternative qualifications may also be accepted.

In addition, if you wish to work in research and development you will usually need a postgraduate degree in pharmacology or a relevant PhD.

You may be able to begin a career in pharmacology at technician level through an Apprenticeship scheme (you are likely to need four or more GCSEs (A-C) including English, maths and two science subjects). The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

You would then be in a good position to go for internal promotion and training opportunities, and work towards becoming a pharmacologist by taking a part-time pharmacology degree course.

Training and development

Once you are working, you will usually be trained on the job in the specialist areas of technical and scientific methodology, which may be part of a graduate trainee scheme.

You will need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career, for example by attending short courses offered by universities and science training centres. You could also join continuing professional development programmes offered by the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) or the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

• British Pharmacological Society
• Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

You may improve your career prospects if you complete a postgraduate qualification – you could choose to study for a Masters degree in a specialist area, or a research degree leading to a PhD.

Skills and knowledge

To be a pharmacologist you should have:

• an aptitude for science, maths, statistics and IT
• an enquiring mind
• a creative and innovative approach
• good problem solving skills
• the ability to work in a team
• the ability to organise, lead and motivate a team
• accuracy and attention to detail
• the ability to analyse and interpret data
• strong written and spoken communication skills
• patience and perseverance.

More information

British Pharmacological Society
16 Angel Gate
City Road
London
EC1V 2SG
www.bps.ac.uk

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Careers
12 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2DY
Tel: 020 7930 3477
http://careers.abpi.org.uk

Opportunities

You will find job opportunities in both the public and private sectors. For example, you could work in the pharmaceutical industry, NHS, with environmental agencies, and research institutes.

With experience, you could progress to supervisor or manager, or move into other areas of work such as medical sales and marketing, drug registration, patent work and information science. If you work with a multinational company, you are likely to get the opportunity to work overseas.

Alternatively, you could take further training to move into medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine – with a pharmacology degree you could apply for a shortened, graduate entry course with a medical school. Courses usually take around four years.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

• British Pharmacological Society (jobs page)
• Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (pharmaceutical recruiters)
• New Scientist Jobs
• The Guardian (Thursday)
• Nature Jobs
• jobs.ac.uk

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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• Health
• Science