Research Pharmacist
Research Pharmacist Careers: Opportunities and Insights
Make a difference in the world of medicine as a research pharmacist!
Why Choose a Career as a Research Pharmacist?
Research pharmacists are behind the development of every medicine available today. As a research pharmacist, you will contribute to medical breakthroughs by running clinical tests, preparing drug trials, and filing patent and FDA applications. Your work will also involve developing new drugs and improving existing ones that can cure diseases and/or manage chronic conditions. For this reason, research pharmacy can be a highly fulfilling career choice.
A Day as a Research Pharmacist
Your day begins in the lab, experimenting with new drug formulations. You will attend meetings to discuss progress and present your findings to stakeholders. The latter part of the day involves documenting and analyzing your work, ensuring every detail is carefully recorded.
How to Become a Research Pharmacist?
Degree
For any pharmacist role, you would first need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree. Given this is a research-based role, a Master's degree and/or a Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences is often mandatory for high-level positions.
Hands-on Experience
Post-graduate internships, residencies, or fellowships in clinical research can help you gain practical skills in data analysis, research methods, and regulatory adherence. You can also connect with industry professionals during this period, helping you with your pharmacy career.
State Licensure
Finally, you must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) to obtain a state licensure.
Certifications
Certifications are not mandatory but can give you an added advantage. Certifications such as Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and Board Certified Clinical Pharmacist (BCCP) can provide you with a competitive edge.
Clinical Research Pharmacist Salary and Benefits
Entry-level pharmacy research and development jobs offer an annual salary of approximately $124,750, while experienced professionals can earn higher salaries, potentially approaching $189,821. However, these figures can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and specific employer.
But it is not always about the paycheck. Beyond salary, you can also expect other benefits like health coverage, retirement plans, and exposure for professional growth. And if you prove your skills, many employers are ready to offer performance-based bonuses.
Benefits
Health insurance for you and your family.
Employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plans with matching contributions.
Funding for conferences, workshops, and further education.
Flexible work hours and remote work options in some roles (data analysis, report writing, etc).
Pharmacy Research and Development Jobs
Clinical Research Pharmacist
As a clinical research pharmacist, you will design, conduct, and oversee new drug trials. It is your responsibility to ensure the safety and effectiveness of new medicines. Your role involves identifying novel compounds in a drug and studying their absorption, distribution, metabolization, and excretion effects in the body. All of this is data-driven so you may refer to existing research data, interpret findings, and act upon them. You’ll also be expected to document your findings for future reference.
Development Pharmacist:
As a development pharmacist, you will be responsible for planning trials, developing formulation prototypes for testing, and reporting test results. Your role will also involve overseeing the production, packaging, and supply of medicines to ensure regulatory compliance. Your responsibilities include managing documentation and maintaining communication with regulatory bodies throughout the drug development process.
If you’re ready to start your career as a research pharmacist, reach out to us and get hired.
Why We Recommend Our Retail Clients
Quad Recruitment is partnered with 100s of retail pharmacy organizations across N. America. All of these pharmacies can offer you the following:
1. Competitive Salaries and Benefits: Our partners offer competitive salaries and benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.
2. Opportunities for advancement: Pharmacy retail jobs offer many opportunities for advancement, both within the pharmacy and within the company.
3. Adequately Staffed Pharmacy: We know how important it is to have a great team around you when working in a retail or community pharmacy.
4. Opportunity To Make a Difference: You will play a vital role in the healthcare system and will help to improve patient outcomes.
5. Flexible Work Arrangements: You will have a good balance between work and personal life.
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