Pharmacologist

Introduction

Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on humans and animals. They research new drugs to treat disease and then develop these drugs through experiments and analysis. Pharmacologists also work on food processing and agricultural products.

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Work Activities

Pharmacologists find out how drugs work, and what effects they have on humans and other animals. They may work with food additives, cosmetics, medicines like aspirin and penicillin, and drugs like alcohol, caffeine and heroin. Experiments are very important in pharmacology.

In pharmaceutical companies, pharmacologists work on drugs to treat diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease. Pharmacologists research the disease or condition they want to treat. They study the effects of drugs including any unwanted side effects.

Pharmacologists can use computers to model the actions of compounds on the body before doing test tube trials. They may test a new drug on isolated tissues, organs and cells, animals or human volunteers. Through clinical trials pharmacologists test the effects of medicines on humans and how best to give the drug. Next, pharmacologists study how the drug affects patients with the disease, the right dosage and how to use it safely. It can take about 12 years to develop a new medicine.

In chemical companies pharmacologists work with pesticides, detergents, solvents and food additives. They make sure the product is safe, and find out how effective poisons and insecticides are.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You will need an enquiring and analytical mind, and you must be accurate and methodical when doing experiments. You need to be good at solving problems and using statistics and mathematical models.

You must be able to use a wide range of technical equipment, including computers. You need good IT skills for processing and analysing data.

You will need good communication skills. These will be useful when writing reports of your findings, and when working in teams.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for pharmacologists vary depending on employer, role and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Pharmacologists earn in the range of £18,000 - £24,000 a year, rising to £27,000 - £40,000. Higher earners can make around £50,000 a year.

Higher earners can make around £49,500 a year. Higher salaries are possible depending on employer, role and responsibilities.

Pharmacologists usually work a 39-hour week, Monday to Friday.

Employers are firms in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries (most pharmaceutical companies are in the South East of England). Other employers include universities, hospitals, research organisations such as the Medical Research Council, and government departments.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed laboratory skills during industrial work placements.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter a degree course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, eg, Access to Science.

You don't usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

Part-time postgraduate MSc courses in pharmacology are available.

The University of Surrey offers an MSc in Clinical Pharmacology/Drug Development Science, by distance learning, with flexible attendance.

Funding for postgraduate study and research is available through universities from the Medical Research Council (MRC), pharmaceutical companies and charities.

• 29% of people in occupations such as pharmacology work part-time.
• 7% have flexible hours.
• 11% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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