| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Pharma |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Research and Development Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 3 to 6 years in pharma research, synthesis or process development |
Research Scientist (Pharma) job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Research Scientist (Pharma)
Department: Pharma
Reports to: Research and Development Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Research Scientist in pharma works in drug discovery and early development, synthesising and studying new molecules or processes. They design and run experiments, synthesise compounds, analyse results, and work to find or improve drug candidates and their manufacturing routes. The role sits in the R&D lab, often in chemistry or discovery. A good one designs sound experiments, works safely and methodically at the bench, records results carefully, solves scientific problems, and contributes to the pipeline of molecules and processes the company can develop into products.
Key responsibilities
- Design and run laboratory experiments in synthesis, discovery or process research.
- Synthesise compounds and intermediates and purify and characterise them.
- Analyse results using spectroscopy, chromatography and other analytical techniques carefully.
- Optimise synthetic routes and processes for yield, purity and cost.
- Record all experiments accurately in the laboratory notebook as they are done.
- Troubleshoot reactions and scientific problems methodically to keep projects moving forward.
- Follow laboratory safety and handling procedures for hazardous chemicals at all times.
- Review scientific literature to guide experiments and design better synthetic routes.
- Support scale-up of promising routes with the process team.
- Prepare research reports and contribute to patents and filings.
Requirements
- MSc or M.Pharm in chemistry or a related science, PhD an advantage
- Hands-on synthesis or process research experience
- Knowledge of laboratory safety and analysis
- 3 to 6 years in pharma research, synthesis or process development
KRAs and KPIs for a Research Scientist (Pharma)
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Experimental output | Planned experiments completed and documented against project timelines |
| Synthesis success | Target compounds synthesised at the required purity and yield |
| Route improvement | Synthetic routes improved on yield, purity or cost over the project |
| Documentation | Laboratory notebook complete and accurate, ready for review and patents |
| Safety | Zero avoidable safety incidents, with full compliance to lab procedures |
| Data quality | Results accurate and reproducible, with sound characterisation |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Synthesis lab equipment, NMR and mass spectrometry, HPLC, Rotary evaporator, Laboratory notebook.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Research Scientist, Research and Development Manager
Interview questions for a Research Scientist (Pharma)
- How would you design a synthetic route for a target molecule?
- A reaction gives low yield. How do you investigate and improve it?
- How do you characterise and confirm a compound you have synthesised?
- How do you make a route more suitable for scale-up?
- What safety practices do you follow when handling hazardous reagents?
- How do you keep your laboratory notebook ready for a patent or audit?
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What does a research scientist do in pharma?
A research scientist in pharma works in drug discovery and early development, synthesising and studying new molecules or processes. They design and run experiments, synthesise and characterise compounds, analyse results, and optimise synthetic routes for yield, purity and cost. They contribute to the pipeline of molecules and manufacturing routes the company can develop.
What qualifications do you need to be a pharma research scientist?
Most pharma research scientists hold an MSc or M.Pharm in chemistry or a related science, and a PhD is an advantage for discovery roles. Hands-on synthesis or process research experience is essential, along with skills in spectroscopy and chromatography. Lab safety, careful documentation and scientific problem solving matter throughout the work.
What is the difference between a research scientist and a formulation scientist?
A research scientist works on discovering and synthesising the drug molecule itself and its manufacturing route, usually in chemistry. A formulation scientist takes an active ingredient and develops it into a usable dosage form like a tablet or liquid. Research creates the molecule and route; formulation turns it into a product.