MEDICINAL CHEMIST Medicinal chemistry is an interdisciplinary science, drawing graduates from a range of different fields. A career in this area usually involves working on the development and testing of potentially therapeutic compounds. This might be within a company that is developing new products, for a research facility exploring new compounds, or at a regulatory agency testing pharmaceuticals for compliance.
PAINTS AND PROTECTIVE COATINGS SCIENTIST Not all pharmaceutical science graduates go on to work with products for human consumption. Graduates can find a role working on the development of many of the products we come into daily contact with, such as paints, pigments and protective coatings. These compounds are present in our living and working spaces, our clothing, our food packaging and many, many other products and environments. We’ re exposed to them on a regular basis, so manufacturers must study them and be sure that they are safe.
PHARMACEUTICAL SALES AND MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE 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 technical 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.
PRODUCT DEVELOPER / FORMULATION SCIENTIST 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.
QUALITY ASSURANCE( QA) AND QUALITY CONTROL( QC) CHEMIST These two areas in manufacturing are closely related, but they have important differences. While QA is about ensuring that development and maintenance processes are adequate in order for a system to meet its objectives, QC is a set of activities designed to evaluate the developed products.
QA is a systems-based career, often focused on designing, implementing and managing new systems for the manufacturing process to ensure their quality.
A QC chemist is responsible for testing the products themselves. They prepare and test samples from all phases of a manufacturing or other handling process, with the goal of determining if the substance or product meets particular standards or requirements.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE Regulatory affairs involves ensuring a company and its products meet government regulations. For companies producing new products, it’ s a crucial discipline. A skilled regulatory affairs associate can be the difference an effective product reaching the market or not. Regulatory professionals are expected to know the ins and outs of the medical regulation, and to understand how changing regulations will impact their industry.
SKINCARE AND COSMETICS DEVELOPER Youthful, clear skin is big business, with skincare and cosmetic companies around the world spending millions on researching and developing new products. There are plenty of opportunities in this fast-moving industry, with competing companies striving for the next breakthrough that will give them the edge.
It’ s not just big-name international cosmetic brands that offer employment though. Many smaller companies exist in the field and it’ s ripe for entrepreneurs.
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