Pharmacologist and  Biomedical (start-up) CEO

Key skills/talents

Embarking on the journey to become a physicist demands a unique set of skills and talents that extend beyond a passion for understanding the intricacies of the bio-scientific world. Below are some key skill points:

 

• Analytical and Critical Thinking: Pharmacologists must possess strong analytical skills to dissect complex problems, break them down into manageable components, and formulate hypotheses. Critical thinking is essential for evaluating theories and experimental results, enabling scientists to draw meaningful conclusions and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

• Mathematical Proficiency: Proficiency in advanced mathematics is a cornerstone of all science. Pharmacology uses mathematical models to describe and predict physical phenomena. From calculus to differential equations and linear algebra, a solid mathematical foundation is crucial for formulating theories, solving problems, and interpreting experimental data.

• Experimental and Technical Aptitude: Pharmacologists often engage in experimental work, designing and conducting experiments to test theories and collect data. Proficiency in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and the use of specialised equipment is essential. Technical skills also extend to the use of computer simulations and modelling to explore theoretical concepts.

• Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital for pharmacologists to convey complex ideas to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. Whether presenting research findings, writing scholarly papers, or collaborating with colleagues, pharmacologists must articulate their thoughts clearly and persuasively. Communication skills are crucial for sharing discoveries and contributing to the broader scientific community.

• Curiosity and Perseverance: A natural curiosity about the world and a relentless drive to explore the unknown are intrinsic to success in all science. The ability to persevere through challenges, setbacks, and the inevitable uncertainties of scientific inquiry is essential. Pharmacologists, like all scientists, often encounter complex problems that require innovative solutions, and a resilient mindset is crucial for overcoming obstacles and making meaningful contributions to the field.

• Excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families

• Outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills

​​

​Qualifications required

To work in pharmacology, you'll typically require a scientific degree in pharmacology, or a related subject such as:

 

Biochemistry

Biology

Biomedical science

Chemistry

Microbiology

Molecular and cell biology

Neuroscience

Physiology

Toxicology

 

Entry with a HND only is rare and you'll need to do further study to progress within any role or industry.

 

Graduate training schemes are available in industry with pharmaceutical companies, for example, and also with biomedical research organisations.

 

A Masters or PhD in pharmacology, or a related subject is always advantageous, as Fozia mentions. In some cases, for example, employment with major pharmaceutical companies where competition for jobs can be fierce, a postgraduate qualification is required. Fozia, of course completed a PHD before moving on to full-time employment.

 

It's possible to study for a PhD while working in research. This helps you develop strong technical research, laboratory and communication skills and can lead to postdoctoral research positions. PhDs that are funded by industry are available and are a useful way to gain relevant experience and contacts if you want to work outside of academia.

​

Rules and regs

As you might imagine, there’s quite a lot of legislation surrounding the pharmacology world, and it’s detailed on the General Pharmaceutical Council website: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/about-us/what-we-do/legislation

 

In particular The Pharmacy Order 2010: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/sites/default/files/document/pharmacy-order-2010-updated-may-2018.pdf

 

The Medicines Act 1968 is (still valid and) heavily regulated: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/67/contents

 

As is The Poisons Act 1972: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/66/contents

​

Remuneration framework

PhD studentships, like the one Fozia did, allow you to study for a PhD through carrying out substantial research work, usually pay a stipend. The national minimum doctoral stipend for 2022/23 is £17,668 but some employers pay more, and of course, as Fozia flagged, this is tax-free money, on top of free tuition and free accommodation. For current information on funding for research training, see UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): https://www.ukri.org

 

Salaries for postdoctoral positions in academia typically range from £28,000 to £50,000.

 

Lecturers with the right combination of qualifications and experience can earn over £60,000. Working at a senior level or with significant experience in industry can attract salaries of in excess of £80,000.

 

Salaries in industry tend to (unsurprisingly) be higher than those in academia, and pharmacologists with a PhD are likely to earn even more. Certainly you are looking into six figures (£100k +) for these roles, so it really does depend on what lights your fire.

​

How to get started

Going to University and completing a degree is the only way into Fozia’s field and her career, as is the case with all science-related careers; so if you think this is for you, get prepared and do your research regarding which University you want to attend.

 

UCAS offer some great information relating to Pharmacology and the different courses available: https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmacy

 

The degree that Fozia did was Biomedical Sciences degree (with a work-placement year) at Manchester University, purely because she didn’t know what part/field of the scientific world she wanted to go forward in: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2024/00532/bsc-biomedical-sciences

 

If this sounds like you and given Fozia’s successful career, then that course could be a great route for you to take also.

 

UCAS list Biomedical Sciences degree courses here: https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/results/courses?searchTerm=biomedical%20science&studyYear=2024&destination=Undergraduate&postcodeDistanceSystem=imperial&pageNumber=1&sort=MostRelevant&clearingPreference=None

​

There is even this option, through the Open University: https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/modules/s290

 

After completing her degree, Fozia went up to Edinburgh and fast-tracked her way through a PhD. To enable a student to progress to a PhD they must obtain an upper second-class honours degree (2:1): https://www.ed.ac.uk/biomedical-sciences/postgraduate-studying/phd-research-programmes

 

There are many universities that cover Biomedical Science PhD courses, and this link gives a comprehensive list: https://www.postgraduatesearch.com/pgs/search?course=biomedical-sciences&qualification=phd

​

You can search for postgraduate courses in pharmacology here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses?keyword=pharmacology

 

In terms of what to do once you’ve completed your degree and/or PHD, there are LOTS of careers open to you, there really are, and most are very interchangeable as you progress through…

 

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

 

Academic researcher

Analytical chemist

Clinical research associate

Clinical scientist, biochemistry

Clinical scientist, immunology

Higher education lecturer

Medical science liaison

Pharmacologist

Research scientist (life sciences)

Research scientist (medical)

Toxicologist

 

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

 

Biomedical scientist

Community pharmacist

Medical sales representative

Neuroscientist

Patent attorney

Policy officer

Regulatory affairs officer

Science writer

Scientific laboratory technician

Secondary school teacher / University Lecturer

​

Associations or official bodies to register with

The biggest body is the British Pharmaceutical Society and they are classed as a charity. Their mission is to promote and advance the whole spectrum of pharmacology across the world: https://www.bps.ac.uk/about/who-we-are

 

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry exists ‘to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines and vaccines’. They represent companies of all sizes who invest in discovering the medicines of the future: https://www.abpi.org.uk

​

The General Pharmaceutical Council regulate pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies in Great Britain:.https://www.pharmacyregulation.org

​

Job site links

You can look for job vacancies at:

​

British Pharmacological Society: https://www.bps.ac.uk/careers-development/jobs-opportunities

Nature Careers (Fozia references Nature in the chat): https://www.nature.com/naturecareers

New Scientist Jobs: https://jobs.newscientist.com

PharmaJobs: https://pharmajobs.co.uk

​

For smaller organisations, you could try a targeted speculative CV and cover letter. Some also use contract staff or employ scientific recruitment agencies to fill their vacancies for them, so registering for recruitment agencies is often a useful step in identifying available positions.

​

Progression pathway​

With experience, you could progress to supervisor or manager. You could also move into medical sales and marketing, drug registration, patent work or information science.

 

With a postgraduate degree in pharmacology or a relevant PhD you could also work in research and development.

 

If you have completed a PhD and are working in academia you can progress to postdoctoral research positions, which tend to be fixed-term contracts. Job security may be an issue as you'll have to keep securing additional contracts and funding to progress. From here, it's possible to gain a research fellowship or lectureship, which can involve an increasing amount of teaching, supervising, administration and management.

 

If you work in a university department you're likely to be part of a research team and, as your career progresses, you may become the principal investigator leading a team.

 

Career progression within the corporate industry, which is the route Fozia took after her PHD, is generally based on increased responsibilities, such as supervising and managing projects, and now, running the whole show as a CEO, in Fozia’s case. More senior management positions tend to include more time spent in the office rather than in the lab, so again, have a think about what lights your fire.

 

You can also choose to use your pharmacological knowledge in different areas, such as:

• Advisory roles in government bodies and medical charities

• Business development

• Information science

• Medical sales and marketing

• Medical writing

• Patent work

• Product licensing or management

• Regulatory affairs

 

The BPS have lots of great information about Pharmacology careers and career progression on their site: https://www.bps.ac.uk/careers-in-pharmacology/where-can-pharmacology-take-me

​

Additional links/FYIs

Something we found, that we thought was cool: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00061-w