Medicinal Chemist

My Responsibilities#

The job responsibilities of a medicinal chemist in the UK vary depending on their employer and position. Generally speaking, they will be responsible for:

• conducting research into new drugs or treatments
• creating models or simulations to test potential drugs
• reading scientific papers to keep up-to-date with advances in technology
• developing methods for synthesizing compounds
• optimizing drug formulations
• testing samples to ensure quality control standards are met
• writing reports on experimental results. In some positions, they may also be required to present their findings at conferences or other events.

Required Skills#

To become a successful medicinal chemist in the UK, there are several skills you’ll need. These include:

• strong problem-solving abilities
• excellent communication skills
• knowledge of statistics and scientific software packages such as MATLAB and SAS
• experience working with laboratory equipment such as spectroscopes and chromatographs
• familiarity with organic chemistry concepts such as stereochemistry and molecular structure
• ability to think logically and critically analyze data
• proficiency with Microsoft Office programs like Excel and Word
• understanding of pharmacology principles related to drug design, development, delivery systems, toxicity tests, etc.
• knowledge of safety protocols related to laboratory work

Qualifications#

You’ll need a chemistry degree and a good grasp of organic chemistry, in particular synthetic organic chemistry, to work as a medicinal chemist.

Most entrants have as a BSc in a chemistry subject (three years full time), however, many have an MChem (Master of Chemistry)/MSci (Master in Science) (four years full time, five years in Scotland). Part-time and distance learning courses are available at some institutions.

Both types of courses typically share a common first two years, before taking different routes. The MChem/MSci generally provides extra depth of experience and knowledge. It may be possible in some instances to switch from the BSc to the MChem, subject to satisfactory progress.

Senior positions and higher paid roles usually require either a master’s or a doctorate. Universities increasingly cooperate with industry to include work experience placements in postgraduate degrees, boosting your chances of progressing

Although it’s not a requirement, a PhD in organic or medicinal chemistry can be an advantage. Some employers including universities specify a preference for a PhD.

Some employers offer an apprenticeship route into their business, which can be built on with a part-time degree to obtain the necessary qualifications for a role in medicinal chemistry.

Training#

You’ll be given training on the job to help you develop the specific skills and knowledge required to undertake medicinal chemistry research. This will involve working in a team including more experienced scientists and learning from them in team meetings and project discussions.

Work Experience#

Relevant work experience is important as many employers look for graduates with research experience in either an industrial or an academic laboratory in addition to their academic qualifications.

Some companies offer year in industry placements, which can be an excellent way of getting in-depth training, experience and skills.

Summer placements, internships and informal work experience or shadowing are other good ways of gaining experience. Some larger companies offer structured summer placement or insight programmes, while others can be contacted directly to enquire about informal opportunities.

You can also gain valuable experience through summer research placements in universities. Even doing specialist undergraduate modules or research projects can help to develop and demonstrate a relevant skill set.

Any experience which develops your lab skills, gives you an insight into the pharmaceutical industry, improves your knowledge and understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, or helps develop your broader transferable skills is valuable.

Employers#

Typical employers for medicinal chemists include:

• pharmaceutical companies – larger organisations that produce, manufacture and sell pharmaceutical products
• contract research organisations (CROs) – smaller companies that carry out research on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. These account for an increasing proportion of employment of medicinal chemists
• biotechnology companies – smaller organisations, often focused on a specific or niche product or development
• medical charities and research institutes
• universities – provide opportunities to carry out medicinal chemistry research at PhD and postdoctoral level and beyond, often in collaboration with or funding from industry or charity partners.

Many of the opportunities in this sector are located around universities, large employers and science parks in the UK, including but not limited to the ‘golden triangle’ between Cambridge, Oxford and London. Internationally, there are areas of drug discovery activity in parts of Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the US, while India and China are growth areas for contract research organisations.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Chemistry World Jobs
• ChemJobs
• Jobs.ac.uk
• New Scientist Jobs

Jobs are also advertised on university job portals, graduate careers websites and employer websites

Working Hours#

A typical working day is from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although there is often some flexibility.

Weekend or evening work is rare but may occasionally be required at busy times or when undertaking independent study or research.

Part-time work is possible. Short-term contracts are also available, sometimes through recruitment agencies.

Salary#

Medicinal chemists earn between £22,750 and £33,000 as a starting salary. With experience, the salary range for medicinal chemists is between £38,300 and £83,000, with the median being £56,200.

General managers can earn a median salary of £82,000.
Please note that salaries vary depending on a range of factors such as the location, the size of the company, the sector you work in and the nature of the job.

Professional Development#

Keeping up to date with new developments and research is an important part of the job and you can do this by reading scientific journals and attending conferences or training events. Some companies offer in-house training and development programmes. In some cases, you may have the opportunity to undertake independent research and even complete a PhD on a part-time basis.

Joining the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) – the professional body for chemists – is a good move, as it provides careers support, up-to-date news and opportunities to network with your peers. You can also gain chartered status to become a chartered chemist (CChem) or a chartered scientist (CSci). To become chartered, you’ll need to provide evidence of your scientific skills, impact and professionalism.

Career Progression#

You’re likely initially to move into more senior scientific roles, leading a team or a project and making key decisions about the direction of research as your career progresses. You may take on more client-facing roles in some organisations.

With further experience, you may start to oversee the work of a wider multidisciplinary team and become more involved in the strategic direction and planning of projects and research. At this stage, you will be spending significantly less time in the lab and more time in the office and in internal and external meetings.

Your pathway into more senior leadership positions may be either to lead the scientific work of a department or company or to move into organisational management and leadership roles.

The pace and opportunities for career progression will depend upon the size and nature of the organisation you work for as well as the personal skills and aptitude you are able to demonstrate for more senior positions. Within some organisations, having a PhD can lead to accelerated promotion and recognition.

Medicinal chemists may also move into regulatory affairs, intellectual property (patent work) or other roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing and development as they gain more industry experience.

Contacts#

Videos from a Medicinal Chemist#