The number of directions a career in pharmaceutical science can take is nearly limitless. Developing new medicines or improving the way they are delivered. Investigating crimes and providing regulatory guidance. Enhancing the durability of paint. All these roads begin in the same place. The range of careers open to pharmaceutical science graduates is growing ever more diverse. And not all of them involve working in a lab.
Why are the options so broad? Maybe it’s because pharmaceutical science graduates love challenges. They have exceptional theoretical knowledge, but they also possess the sort of practical skills that mean they can tackle the challenges of industry straight away.
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW
It’s a good time to be studying in this field. Globally, pharmaceuticals is a growth sector and future-proofed for graduates – your skills will still be relevant in 20 years’ time. Victoria is considered a global centre of excellence in biomedical research, medical technology and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The sector has strong support from the state government too, which sees significant benefits in creating the right conditions for it to flourish. With global health care spending projected to grow by over four per cent per year, there is an urgent need for new technologies, goods and services. There is strong demand for graduates in Victoria, which will only increase as the sector grows.
WHAT WILL YOUR PATH BE?
The skills that pharmaceutical scientists acquire aren’t only relevant in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors. They are just as useful the food, agriculture, chemical, or cosmetics industries.
Some of these career paths require a PhD, but not all of them. Many can be pursued with a Bachelor’s degree only. Regardless of the qualifications required, all present unique and exciting challenges for graduates is major pharmaceuticals a good career path.
1.Medical Science Liaison
The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a specific role within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and other health-care industries. An MSL typically has advanced scientific and academic credentials, including a doctorate degree in the life sciences.
A medical science liaison usually concentrates on a specific therapeutic area, such as Oncology or Hematology, and works for a company developing pharmaceutical products for that therapeutic area.
Their primary purpose is to establish and maintain peer-to-peer relationships with leading physicians and opinion leaders at major academic institutions and clinics. They help ensure that products are utilised effectively and serve as resources for both the medical community and their internal colleagues.
The MSL role is evolving and has seen exponential growth of the role in recent years. For PhD graduates who are strong communicators, it can be interesting and varied role, well worth pursuing.
2. Medicines Adviser
For graduates with a desire to work in the social advancement field, one career path is to work with an International Non-Governmental Organisation (“INGO”), like the World Health Organisation (“WHO”).
With a goal to build a better, healthier future for people all over the world, WHO staff work side by side with governments and other partners to ensure the highest attainable level of health for all people.
source of specialist pharmaceutical expertise to over 40 countries. They ensure countries have consistent, intensive and long-term support in relation to medicines and health products, and work with Ministries of Health to assess and monitor country pharmaceutical sectors, identify policy priorities and coordinate WHO technical work in the pharmaceutical sector.
Much of the World Health Organisation’s work takes place in developing countries. As a Medicines Adviser, a pharmaceutical science graduate is able to be part of an important humanitarian mission and play a part in improving lives around the world.
3. Skin Care and Cosmetics
Youthful, clear skin is big business, with skin care and cosmetic companies around the world spending millions on researching and developing new products. For pharmaceutical science graduates interested in this field, there are plenty of opportunities.
It is a fast moving industry, with competing companies striving for the next breakthrough that will give them the edge. At the top end of the industry, it can be one of the more glamorous areas a science graduate can find themselves in.
It’s not just big name international cosmetic brands with celebrity endorsement deals and expensive ad campaigns that offer employment though. Many smaller companies exist in the field and it is ripe for entrepreneurs. Singapore business The Skin Company formulates bespoke skincare products to meet the needs of specific skin types, and was founded by Monash graduates Mah Mei Hui and Lau Min-tsek.
During her career Mei Hui has worked as a retail and hospital pharmacist, in Regulatory Affairs, in Sales and Marketing, and as a Product Manager with an international pharmaceutical company – proof of how diverse a career you can have in this sector.
4. Science Writer
Completing any science-based degree requires you to learn how to write well about different scientific concepts and communicate your ideas and observations clearly. For some graduates, these skills can be the foundation of a career as a science writer.
Science writers research, write and edit scientific news, articles and features. If they work in the media, they can write for business, trade and professional publications, specialist scientific and technical journals, and the general media.
If they work for non-media organisations, it is usually in a communications or marketing role, explaining scientific research to a professional or lay audience through articles, press releases and other written content.
The key skill for a science writer is to be able to understand complex scientific information, theories and practices, then translate that into concise and accurate language that can be understood by the general public.
As the number of media channels available increases exponentially, and more and more and more inaccurate or misinformed content makes it out into the public sphere, the need for clear and persuasive science communication is growing.
5. Biomedical researcher (university)
Biomedical researchers investigate how the human body works with the aim of finding new ways to improve health. Usually based in a laboratory, you will conduct experiments and clinical tests and record and report on the findings.
In general, biomedical researchers within a university will tend to focus on improving tools and techniques, studying healthy biological processes and the causes and progress of diseases.
It can be an extremely rewarding career path to follow, as the discoveries that you contribute can have a measurable and lasting impact on society. For the intellectually curious, it can be an extremely interesting and satisfying option where you will work in a highly autonomous environment alongside intelligent, interesting peers.
Biomedical research within a university is often seen as a natural career progression for high achievers within a range of academic disciplines, including pharmaceutical science. It is a long path to follow, as you will almost certainly require a PhD, but skilled researchers are in demand and once established within a University have good prospects for global collaboration and furthering their specialism.
6. Biomedical researcher (private sector)
In addition to research labs within universities, a pharmaceutical science qualification can also lead to a career in biochemical research within the private sector. This path would often take a graduate into the pharmaceutical industry, where their research focus would be on generating and evaluating possible treatments for diseases and medical conditions.
One of the biggest advantages to a private sector research role is the resources available. Private sector labs are usually developing high value products that generate considerable income for the company. This means they can invest in state of the art facilities and equipment for their employees.
Due to the commercial nature of the job, private sector biomedical researchers don’t always enjoy the same autonomy as their academic counterparts. However the role can present the opportunity to work in close a partnership with university researchers, as well as developing new career paths within other areas within a company.
7. Clinical Research Associate
Any new pharmaceutical-based product developed needs to go through clinical trials to ensure its safety and efficacy. As a Clinical Research Associate, you will use your experience in running experiments, gathering data and documenting the results during clinical trials. The typical employers for this role include Clinical Research Organisations (“CROs”), pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies or, less frequently, hospitals and universities.
In simple terms, the role involves coordinating the collection, distribution and storage of data obtained during clinical trials. However there are many more responsibilities. For example, every trial is overseen by an ethics committee who ensure it is conducted in an ethical manner. A clinical research associate will need to liaise with this committee and keep them informed of how the trial is progressing. Depending on the trial, there can also be a high level of contact with trial participants, so good interpersonal communication skills can be valuable.
This role is ideal for people with attention to detail and a passion for data collection and documentation, who like to work methodically towards a specific goal.
8.Forensic scientist
Forensic science is the application of scientific research to help investigate crimes, accidents and other incidents. It’s not always like what you see on your favourite crime investigation TV shows, but for graduates who love to untangle mysteries, it can be an extremely rewarding field to work in.
Amy VanDerPoel, a drug analyst for the Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre, loves the variety her job brings.
“My job is never dull,” says Amy. “I analyse all sorts of illicit substances and drugs. I also do a lot of analytical chemistry – every day is different.”
She also works as a fire and explosives investigator, attending scenes where there’s suspected arson or a fatality due to fire. “My role is to determine the cause of the fire and if accelerants were used, and to search for other evidence that may assist the investigation.”
9. Pharmaceutical companies
Working for a pharmaceutical company is one of the more obvious options open to pharmaceutical science graduates, but it is also one that offers a huge variety of career paths. Particularly within global companies there are opportunities to explore new areas of expertise, develop strong business skills, and travel and work globally.
Monash PhD graduate Lauren Boak has built an impressive and varied career within Roche, working in both Switzerland and the UK. Initially working as a Clinical Science Specialist in neuroscience, she is now develops products as a Business Manager, and scopes external innovation initiatives to bring into the company.
Lauren’s work gives her opportunities to work on potentially transformative medicines and develop experience across multiple fields.
Pharmaceuticals is a major growth sector globally, and a graduate-level role within a pharmaceutical company can be the first step to a successful and varied career.
10. Regulatory affairs
For graduates seeking a rewarding career outside the lab, Regulatory Affairs can be a fulfilling option. The work involves ensuring a company and its products meet government regulations. For companies producing new pharmaceutically-based products, it is a crucial discipline. A skilled Regulatory Affairs Officer can be the difference between an effective product reaching the market or not.
Regulatory professionals are expected to know the ins and outs of the medical marketplace, and to understand how changing regulations will impact their industry. There is a growing need for qualified professionals who see regulatory oversight not as something that blocks progress but rather an opportunity to help bring more safe, affordable and efficient innovations to market.
Regulatory professionals can accelerate their career in regulatory affairs by expanding their knowledge in the areas of marketing, project management, negotiation, finance and other business disciplines.
11. Sales and marketing
The best people for selling the benefits of a product are often those with the deepest understanding of how it works. For complex products developed and manufactured using pharmaceutical or chemical science, there is often a need for Sales and Marketing representatives able to talk with authority about the science behind the product.
This is a skill many graduates have and for some, sales and marketing can be their next step beyond the lab after working in research and development.
After graduating from Monash, Reshma Prakash worked as an R&D chemist in the cosmetics and mining explosives sectors. However she soon discovered that her degree could open up many doors. Reshma now works in Marketing as a Product Support Manager for a mining company, Orica Mining Services. “I never imagined working in the mining industry,” she says. “My job involves product support for packaged explosives and initiating systems in the mining industry throughout Australia and Asia.
She enjoys the challenge of combining commercialisation with technical knowledge while developing her marketing skills. She particularly enjoys the customer focus aspect of her job.
Sales and Marketing can be a great path for graduates who enjoy people-focused work helping customers and clients find useful solutions to their needs.
12. Product developer/formulator
Product development scientists work in a variety of industries, including food, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, and medical device manufacturing. They are typically based in the lab, developing new foods, drugs, and medical technologies or researching and developing ways to enhance existing products. They typically possess a bachelor’s degree, but a graduate degree may be required for advancement.
Monash graduate Anthony Agnew is a Formulation Scientist for Hospira, a leading provider of infusion technologies. His role involves researching, developing and testing sample formulations to achieve optimum efficacy, stability and quality.
Anthony’s skills and qualifications have allowed him to work on an incredibly broad range of products during his career. “I’ve developed aircraft cleaners, touch-free automotive wash, coal-dust suppressants, carpet sanitisers, spot-stain removers, waterless hand cleansers and an entire line of home and hardware products.”
He now works on the research and development of injectable drug formulations for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.
Product development is a challenging but rewarding career path for graduates who enjoy teamwork, exploration, innovation and problem solving. Job satisfaction comes from being part of the team behind a successful product that solves a real problem in the world.
