What is the role of a pharmaceutical researcher?
A pharmaceutical researcher or pharmaceutical scientist contributes to expanding medical knowledge and drug development through clinical research. Their primary responsibility is to conduct and oversee various pharmaceutical research projects to ensure their successful execution and compliance with regulations. Pharmaceutical researchers are part of a team that includes other researchers, physicians, data analysts, and other stakeholders, working together to ensure the effective and ethical conduct of clinical trials and research studies.
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Medical Science Liaison
Location: Toronto
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 3 years
Responsibilities Develop and maintain mutually beneficial, peer-to-peer relationships with the scientific community The MSL spends a significant amount of their time on customer-facing activities to develop relationships with external customers including scientific experts, researchers, educators and clinical investigators. The MSL serves as a major medical representative of Lilly for these health care professionals, providing deep and advanced disease state and product information as well as facilitating the work of the scientific expert when it aligns with Lilly's mission. An important aspect of the MSL's work is to connect thought leaders and scientific experts with other Lilly resources (e.g., Discovery, Real World Evidence Scientists, Clinical Research Physicians and Global/Canadian External Research & Development). The MSL is considered a reliable, trusted resource of accurate, up-to-date medical and scientific knowledge requested and desired by their customers. They will respond in a timely way to personal or electronic inquiries with any available information which may include reprints or posters, medical letters, literature citations, access to internal and external experts, slides and other teaching-related material. Continually enhance scientific knowledge The MSL is required to maintain technical expertise within therapeutic areas to engage in scientific discussions with scientific experts. The MSL is expected to engage in continuous learning within the therapeutic areas they represent. They will attend appropriate scientific meetings, conduct routine literature searches, and will be expected to communicate regularly with other MSLs so the entire group benefits from relevant learning. Support the affiliate medical business objectives and cross functional partners The MSL is responsible for interfacing the scientific expert and Lilly resources/internal business partners such as Clinical Research Physicians, Medical Information Associates, Medical Education, Corporate Affairs, and Marketing as requested by the expert. The MSL gathers and reports clinical insights and unanswered questions received from scientific experts to the medical and other cross-functional teams. The MSL job entails not only scientific and customer expertise, but also requires the ability to understand and effectively utilize approved resources, and administrative, procedural and legal requirements to address customer needs and support internal Lilly business.
Medical Science Liaison
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 3 years
Responsibilities Establish and maintain relationships with key thought leaders, regional advocates, healthcare organizations, professional societies and government contacts. Provides accurate and up-to-date scientific information that supports the company's product and disease strategies Builds and maintains rapport with medical professionals and their clinic staff Represent Allergan at national and regional scientific meetings and professional congresses. Collaborates with Medical Advisor in the development and coordination of Allergan sponsored symposia and speaker's bureau Identify and develop advocates for participating in Allergan sponsored clinical trials, scientific symposium and speaker bureau and advisory boards. Follow-up on unsolicited investigator-initiated research proposals and publication opportunities. Assist in training sales and business personnel. Develops territory routing that effectively supports the medical information needs of the assigned geography Maintains effective budgetary control of medical expenses Completes administrative responsibilities, as required, on time Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the organizations, federal and provincial laws and regulations Knowledge Health Canada (HC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), PAAB, Rx&D, PMPRB and other regulatory requirements. Public speaking, scientific story telling and presentation methods and techniques. Pharmacology and pharmaceutical principles, practices and their application. Principles of mathematical and statistical analysis in clinical studies
Data Payroll Administrator
Location: Toronto
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Controlling
Experience: 2 years
Introduction Brunel is hiring a Data Payroll Administrator on behalf of a large global pharmaceutical company to support the preparation and processing of annual T2200 forms for all employees. This short-term project requires strong attention to detail and excellent administrative skills to accurately input and verify employee information across multiple provincial forms. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Finance and HR teams, who will provide guidance and training. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with data administration, payroll, or accounts payable experience seeking a focused, short-term assignment with a reputable organization.
Pharmacovigilance Assistant
Location: Laval
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 2 years
Responsibilities To perform general administrative and operational activities related to PV activities (including case tracking, data entry, document filing, and archiving, in alignment with applicable SOPs/OPMs and using PV tools. To maintain PV databases and documentation by ensuring timely and accurate entry, tracking, and filing of safety-related information in relevant systems. To prepare, submit the PV documentation to regulatory authorities in accordance with local and global regulatory requirements and file as required. To act as liaison during the absence of one or more members of the PV team to ensure continuous coverage and operational support under the supervision of the Deputy LPV. To perform delegated activities related to the Special Access Program, ensuring compliance with established procedures and timelines. To assist in the preparation and review of PV compliance metrics, reconciliation reports, and related documentation with internal and external stakeholders. To participate in PV departmental and cross-functional meetings, and follow-up actions as required. To ensure that all PV-related activities are conducted in compliance with applicable SOPs, OPMs and codes of practice. To undertake any other PV-related activities as assigned to support the overall functioning of the Local PV Department.
CMC Regulatory Consultant
Location: Hamilton
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 4 years
Responsibilities Serve as the CMC regulatory point of contact for global Health Authority Questions (e.g. FDA, EMA, MHRA, PDMA, other regions as applicable). Train on the company's ERV/Veeva Vault system and manage HAQ responses within the ERV system Coordinate HAQ response development across internal technical teams. Track HAQs, response timelines, commitments, and dependencies to ensure on-time, high-quality submissions. Interpret and apply global/regional CMC regulatory guidelines and regulations. Review SME-drafted HAQ responses for regulatory appropriateness, clarity, consistency and alignment with regional CMC expectations. Extract and summarize scientific information from development reports and identify details required for regulatory submissions. Organize data to support the group's function with answering questions, information request from regulatory agencies such as the FDA, Health Canada or EMEA (including relevant country specific authorities). Advise SMEs on how to frame technical data and rationales to meet Health Authority expectations.
Business Analyst (6-months)
Location: Toronto
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Communications & Distribution
Experience: 3 years
Responsibilities Partner with business units to assess current analytics maturity and identify capability gaps. Define and prioritize analytics use cases aligned with strategic business goals. Support the development and rollout of analytics frameworks, governance models, and best practices. Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and document business requirements for analytics solutions, dashboards, and data products. Translate business needs into functional specifications for data integrators, engineers, developers, and BI teams. Facilitate workshops to align on KPI definitions, metrics, and reporting standards. Drive adoption of analytics and visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) across business units. Provide training, onboarding, and support to users to improve data literacy and self-service capabilities. Evaluate and recommend new tools and technologies to enhance analytics and reporting performance. Work with data governance teams to ensure consistent definitions, data lineage, and metadata management. Monitor and resolve data quality issues in coordination with technical teams. Promote responsible data usage and ensure compliance with applicable privacy and data protection regulations. Define success metrics for analytics initiatives and track performance against business objectives. Conduct post-implementation reviews to evaluate outcomes and identify improvement opportunities. Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in analytics, data governance, and business intelligence.
Senior Director, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs
Location: Toronto
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 5 years
Responsibilities Quality Management Systems Establish, implement, and maintain Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Risk Management Programs in accordance with Health Canada regulations. Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Oversee Health Canada inspections and manage all required regulatory licenses (e.g., DEL, MDEL, NBCP Wholesale License). Ensure compliance across all Health Product licensed facilities and the Import Drug Products QMS. Oversee the Computerized System Validation process and the QMS for the organization's e-commerce platform. Regulatory Oversight Manage SAP Master Data for pharmacy schedules, drugs, medical devices, and natural health product attributes. Lead third-party audits and perform vendor qualification assessments, including Quality Agreements. Conduct internal GMP self-inspections and report on findings to ensure ongoing compliance. Oversee the Product Quality Complaint Program. Provide quality and regulatory oversight for multiple business units, including Shoppers Drug Mart, MediSystem Pharmacy, Central Pharmacy Services, Sanis Inc., and Specialty Health Network. Leadership and Collaboration Lead, mentor, and develop quality teams across multiple locations. Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, supply chain, and senior leadership to support business objectives. Ensure alignment with corporate compliance and regulatory expectations. Occasional travel to national sites as required.
What do pharmaceutical researchers do?
In this role, pharmaceutical researchers perform several essential tasks to facilitate successful pharmaceutical science. They collaborate with medical professionals, principal investigators, and other team members to define research objectives and design appropriate research protocols. Additionally, they work closely with regulatory authorities to obtain necessary approvals and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and guidelines governing pharmaceutical research.
They are responsible for recruiting and enrolling study participants, making sure that the appropriate target population is included. Maintaining accurate and organized records, managing data collection and analysis, and addressing any data-related issues that may arise during the study are also part of their responsibilities.
Moreover, pharmaceutical scientists need to lead the monitoring and auditing of research sites to ensure data quality, accuracy, and adherence to good clinical practice (GCP) standards. Implementing safety measures and conducting risk assessments are vital to ensuring patient safety throughout the research process.
Staying updated with the latest advancements in pharmaceutical research methodologies, technologies, and regulatory requirements is essential. By integrating cutting-edge practices, they can optimize innovation and success of research projects in the pharmaceutical field.
What are the required skills for a pharmaceutical researcher?
pharmaceutical researchers need a variety of skills. Strong leadership and project management abilities are essential for effectively coordinating and motivating teams throughout the research process. Excellent communication skills are also necessary for facilitating collaboration between team members, investigators, and other sector stakeholders. They should be able to communicate complex scientific information clearly and concisely.
In addition, in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical research regulations, including GCP, and familiarity with the drug development process are vital for ensuring compliance and successful execution of studies. Analytical and problem-solving skills are also crucial for handling challenges and making informed decisions during the research process.
Where do pharmaceutical researchers work?
Pharmaceutical researchers can find job opportunities in various settings, including pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), academic institutions, hospitals, and government agencies. They may also work in specialized research facilities or medical device companies conducting clinical trials for new drugs and treatments.
Common pharmaceutical researcher responsibilities
Conduct and oversee pharmaceutical research projects, coordinating interdisciplinary teams;
Develop and implement research protocols, ensuring compliance with regulations and ethical guidelines;
Work closely with investigators and stakeholders to define research objectives and expectations;
Oversee participant recruitment and enrollment, ensuring the inclusion of the appropriate target population;
Maintain accurate and organized records of research progress, data collection, and analysis;
Perform data quality checks and address data-related issues as they arise;
Ensure patient safety by implementing safety measures and conducting risk assessments;
Monitor and audit research sites to ensure adherence to GCP standards;
Stay informed about the latest advancements in pharmaceutical research methodologies and regulatory requirements;
Communicate effectively with team members, investigators, and stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and project success;
Provide guidance and support to researchers and study coordinators throughout the research process.
Qualifications for pharmaceutical researchers
To become a pharmaceutical researcher, candidates should possess at least a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as pharmaceutical sciences, life sciences, biomedical sciences, or healthcare management. Advanced degrees or certifications in pharmaceutical research or a related discipline are advantageous.
Other essential qualifications include:
- 2-4+ years of experience in pharmaceutical research or related healthcare projects;
- In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical research regulations, including GCP;
- Strong project management and leadership skills;
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities;
- Analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Familiarity with the drug development process and research methodologies;
- Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams;
- A commitment to ensuring patient safety and contributing to advancements in healthcare through pharmaceutical research.
