Careers in Medicinal Chemistry

A medicinal chemist synthesizes pharmaceuticals by applying the techniques of chemical research. They use the medicinal agents in plants as well as create synthetic drug compounds in the research and creation of new pharmaceuticals. The primary focus of a medicinal chemist is discovering and developing pharmaceutical drugs.

Job Description

• In addition to developing new drugs they also improve old drugs and improve their development process. Medicinal chemists due this by working closely with several different types of scientists including biopharmacists, biologists, microbiologists, toxicologists, theoretical chemists and pharmacologists. They work as team of scientists developing new synthesizing techniques, to develop more environmentally friendly and cost-effective production techniques, and to test new drugs.

Work Conditions

• Medicinal chemists can work in a variety of settings. The majority will work in laboratories where they produce, formulate and analyze new drug compounds. However, they can also work in colleges teaching medicinal chemistry-related classes. They can also work for the government in organizations, such as the Food and Drug Administration, reviewing new drugs and old drugs for safety and compliance.

Characteristics

• Medicinal chemists must have certain set of characteristics to do their job. They must enjoy research and enjoy the unknown. They should also be persistent and imaginative. Being a team player with solid verbal communication and writing skills is also very important.

Education

• Medicinal chemists require college educations. The majority of pharmaceutical companies will only hire medicinal chemists with advanced degrees and prior research experience. The most common degree is a degree in organic chemistry in addition to post-doctoral work of at least two years. Research chemists typically possess a PhD, but those seeking to be a research technician often only need a Bachelor's degree in this field. Some colleges and universities now have specific medicinal chemistry programs so those interested in this field can take that program instead of organic chemistry.

Outlook

• It is unclear where the medicinal chemist industry will be in ten years. The pharmaceutical industry is making many changes and the healthcare reform that the government is posing is leading to many pharmaceutical companies reducing their lab sizes in turn needing less medicinal chemists. Government and academia jobs have been decreasing as well. Many chemists feel that this reduction in available jobs is just temporary and that more jobs will be available in the near future for medicinal chemists.