Pharmacologists

Employers

Approximately 130,700 medical scientists, including pharmacologists, are employed in the United States. Pharmacologists work as faculty in medical, dental, veterinary, or pharmacy schools, and as researchers in large hospitals, medical centers, or research institutes. They also work for government agencies involved in research such as the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Starting Out

Drug companies, research organizations, medical, dental, and pharmacy schools and universities, and federal and state governments often recruit pharmacologists while they are in the process of earning their doctorates. By the second year of their doctoral program, most pharmacologists have chosen a subspecialty and seek out employers representing their chosen area. Graduates interested in pursuing a career in academia will often select a postdoctoral position.

A student's professors, particularly his or her thesis advisers, can provide guidance on potential employers. Pharmacology associations and online job posting Web sites can also provide a source for entry-level positions.

Additionally, visit the following Web sites for job listings: https://www.sciencemag.org/careers and https://careers.aspet.org.