Pharmacologist
Study how medicines work, help develop new drugs and make sure they’re used safely.
About the job
What it's like
If you love science and enjoy solving problems, you could make a fantastic pharmacologist.
In this role, you'll do research to discover or develop new drugs and medicines. You'll then make sure these drugs and medicines are used safely.
Pharmacologists study the effects that drugs and other chemical substances have on cells, animals, humans and the environment. You'll likely work in a research team alongside scientists, lab technicians, researchers and other staff.
As a pharmacologist, you're likely to specialise in one of two key areas. These are:
clinical pharmacology – during clinical trials, you'll study how medicines affect people
neuropharmacology – you'll examine the impact drugs have on the nervous system
Some of your duties may involve animal research.
Once you've researched a medicine or drug, you'll share the results of your work with colleagues. For example, you might present at meetings and conferences or publish reports.
An experienced pharmacologist may supervise staff or manage and co-ordinate projects.
Your tasks might include:
designing, setting up and carrying out experiments
analysing data using complex equipment and measuring systems
testing drugs on cells 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 manufacturing processes
studying the unwanted or harmful effects of drugs and testing the safety of manufactured products
Green job
In this job, you might do work that helps the environment. You could:
carry out environmental impact assessments for drugs
follow green chemistry principles in drug synthesis to reduce waste, energy consumption and the use of hazardous chemicals
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Not Just Lab Coats – explore the different career options in science, manufacturing and technology
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) – learn about careers in the pharmaceutical sector
Like the sound of this career?
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Select qualification level(s)
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- taking responsibility
- implementing ideas
- attention to detail
- social conscience
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- listening
- supporting
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Human Biology
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Applications of Mathematics
To work as a pharmacologist in Scotland, you'll need to go to university.
University
First, you must study for a degree in a relevant field, such as:
Pharmacology
Biological Sciences
Biomedical Science
Immunology
Medicinal Chemistry
Pharmacy
Life Sciences
Many pharmacologists also have a master's degree in Pharmacology or a related area. It's also common for people to study a PhD before they start their career.
Some job vacancies expect you to have an ordinary degree and a master's degree or PhD. Plus, a master's degree or a PhD can help you move into senior roles later in your career.
Use the My World of Work course search to find undergraduate degrees, master's degrees and PhDs.
It's useful to gain work experience and internships while you're studying. This'll give you the chance to build laboratory skills by supporting with basic tasks.
Volunteering can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to get into a relevant degree. Search for laboratory-based opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
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