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Pharmaceutical Job Descriptions: 3 Examples for Applicants

Pharmaceutical job descriptions

Pharmaceutical job descriptions can be a bit complicated. If you want to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, it can be helpful to look at examples of pharmaceutical job descriptions. We've broken down three examples to help make the process of understanding and applying to pharma jobs easier. This way, you can see what information is usually included in a pharma description, and which parts you really need to pay attention to.

Find three great example of pharmaceutical job listings below to give you a rough idea of what to expect when you're applying for work in this sector. The advice here can be applied to any sector, but is particularly relevant for medical jobs!

Pharmaceutical Job Description 1

 

Job Title: Analytical Chemist

Contract: Permanent // Salary: Depends on experience

As a senior analytical chemist, you will provide analytical support to multiple project teams. You will also work on API development.

Your duties will include:

  • Performing analysis using techniques such as GC, MS and HPLC/UPLC
  • Working on APIs, intermediates, starting materials and raw materials
  • Developing, optimising and validating analytical methods
  • Maintaining and solving problems with instruments and equipment
  • Writing and reviewing technical documents
  • Mentoring less experienced colleagues
  • Reviewing and improving existing processes

Applicants must have a chemistry-related degree, proven industry experience within a GMP environment, and a working knowledge of the relevant analytical techniques.

 

Looking at the above pharma job description, what are the important points?

Checking whether you understand all of the job responsibilities is always important. The responsibilites are titled as "duties" in this case. They will sometimes be called tasks or listed under role details - always be sure to identify these. Additionally, this job listing uses the word "must" before listing requirments for the role. Some roles won't consider you if you don't match exactly what they are looking for, but others are more leniant, so pay careful attention to wording. Not all jobs will be suitable for graduates and will require experience.

 

Pharmaceutical Job Description 2

 

Job Title: QC Analyst

Contract: Permanent // Salary: £25,000 - 28,000 per annum

As a QC analyst, you will be responsible for analysing raw materials, in-process materials, finished products, packaging materials and stability batches.

Your duties will include:

  • Analysing raw materials, finished products and stability batches using HPLC, GC and other analytical techniques
  • Co-operating with the rest of your team to investigate, report and resolve abnormalities
  • Working with a variety of dosage forms (e.g. oral solid, sterile, aseptic)
  • Ensuring that health and safety best practices are observed in the lab

Applicants must have proven industry experience in a chemical, pharmaceutical or food laboratory and a working knowledge of HPLC and other analytical methods. You must also have a relevant chemistry-related degree or equivalent industry experience.

 

Consider the above pharmaceutical job description: what is most important? 

The difference between this pharmaceutical job listing and the previous one is that they have included a salary here, but the last one was based on experience. In either case, you may still wish to confirm the salary once you are further along the job interview process. Unlike the previous role, this one requires industry experience. This could mean actual job experience, but if you feel you have gained relevant work experience during your education you can still apply - as long as you don't lie in your application.

 

Pharmaceutical Job Description 3

Job Title: Project Manager

Contract: Permanent // Salary: Depends on experience

As project manager, you'll be responsible for driving business progress through effective project management. You must also make sure that GMP compliance is maintained at all times.

Your duties will include:

  • Leading operational projects (new product introductions and process improvements)
  • Keeping track of project status, budgets and deadlines
  • Addressing issues and escalating them to the technical team if necessary
  • Ensuring that deadlines and expectations are met
  • Driving continuous improvement
  • Reviewing and updating active contracts where needed
  • Providing performance updates
  • Presenting to clients

The successful candidate will have a relevant life sciences degree (or similar) and proven project management experience within the pharmaceutical industry. Applicants with a formal project management qualification are preferred, but this is not a requirement.

 

Read through the above description of a pharmaceutical job carefully.

This is a management role, which can mean more responsibility. Some people might scroll past without actually checking the description, assuming that they don't meet the job requirements. However, you can see that no formal project management qualification is actually needed for this role - just experience. Each role is unique, so it's always worth reading through the full pharma description.

Hopefully. these pharmaceutical job descriptions have helped you to understand the pharmaceutical industry a little better. Perhaps you even looked at these listings and thought that you would be a good fit? If you're ready to take your first step towards a career in the pharmaceutical industry, feel free to browse our latest vacancies and apply online today!

Pharmaceutical Jobs

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READ MORE: How to get a pharmaceutical job