Pharmaceutical Scientist
40AI USED FOR40%moving to78%
THE DOOR, NOWC
THE DOOR, 20 YRSE
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
Skip to main content
CAREERMASH (EN)FROM BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES →
Pharmaceutical Scientist
As a Pharmaceutical Scientist, you play a pivotal role in the development of life-saving medications that improve health outcomes globally. Your expertise bridges the gap between scientific innovation and practical application, ensuring that new drugs are safe, effective, and accessible to those in need.
THE DOOR: A easy to E extremely hard, now and in 20 years
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI is already used for some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.
Career progression path
1FIRST STEPJunior Pharmaceutical ScientistIn this entry-level role, you will assist in laboratory experiments, conduct basic analyses, and support senior scientists in their research projects.£25,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Pharmaceutical ScientistAt this stage, you will lead specific projects, mentor junior staff, and take on more complex experimental designs and data analyses.£34,000 - £42,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Pharmaceutical Scientist/Head of R&DIn a senior role, you will oversee research teams, drive strategic initiatives, and play a key role in the development of new therapies, influencing the direction of research and development.£48,000+
4 live apprenticeship vacancies →
The degree route
Real courses in this career's subject, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.
🎓Biological Sciences with Spanish for ScienceImperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£31,500 median
🎓Human Sciences and EvolutionUniversity College London · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,500 median
🎓Biochemistry and PharmacologyUniversity of Strathclyde · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£28,000 median
🎓Biomedical Sciences with a Year in IndustryRoyal Holloway and Bedford New College · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£27,500 median
All Biological Sciences courses as cards →
There is more than one way in
You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.
Recommended UK degrees
Real courses that qualify you for this career, from the same register that priced the degree above.
Biological Sciences with Spanish for ScienceImperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · DegreeHuman Sciences and EvolutionUniversity College London · DegreeBiochemistryThe University of Leeds · DegreeBiochemistry and PharmacologyUniversity of Strathclyde · DegreeHuman BiologyQueen's University of Belfast · DegreeBiomedical Sciences with a Year in IndustryRoyal Holloway and Bedford New College · Degree