phd in biomedical science jobs

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Possible careers for phds in biomedical sciences.

Posted by Kim Petrie on Friday, December 11, 2020 in Path to Career Resources .

Sometimes it’s just nice to have a list of possibilities. Here’s a terrific list of career paths for PhDs in the biomedical sciences, compiled by Lauren Easterling at Indiana University School of Medicine. It’s nicely arranged by broad theme. See something you’re not familiar with? Check out our Beyond the Lab video and podcast series to see if we have recorded an episode with an alumnus who has pursued that career.

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From unprecedented situations like the COVID-19 pandemic to the continued aging of the worldwide population, there are many pressing medical needs today that require the expertise of biomedical science professionals.

This increased demand has led to myriad exciting opportunities for those with the specific knowledge and skill sets required to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the practice. 

Read on to learn more about exactly what the practice of biomedical science entails, the variety of job opportunities available to those with master’s- and PhD-level training, and how you can kick-start your career in biomedical science.

What is biomedical science?

Biomedical science combines the study of human physiology, human pathology, and pharmacology to draw conclusions and make necessary advances toward solving significant health problems facing society.  

“It’s really an all-encompassing term,” says David Janero , director of the pharmaceutical sciences graduate programs at Northeastern University. “It goes from wet-lab research to address problems associated with therapeutics, disease mechanisms, and other related areas, [and] invokes disciplines such as pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, and so on.”

The many facets of this work allow aspiring biomedical scientists the opportunity to tailor their careers to fit their unique interests—a benefit of this particular field that has led to increased interest among those with a passion for science and medicine.

Pursuing a career in biomedical science

Despite the many scientific applications of biomedical science, Janero explains that the jobs available within this industry today are not limited to those based in a lab. The field has expanded to include many business and clinical roles, as well as those rooted in research and science. “I think the general perception is that biomedical science is mainly a wet-lab discipline,” he says. “But there really is a diversity of opportunities in this field.”

Did you know: A “ wet lab ” is a laboratory in which scientists handle chemicals or other “wet” materials to conduct experiments. A “dry lab,” on the other hand, is a location where scientists draw conclusions about realities that occur naturally in the world by replicating them using computers or mathematics.

A biomedical device must go through a series of phases—ranging from development and testing to sales and marketing—before it can be implemented as a medical solution. For that reason, “it’s not uncommon to have a project team … [made up of] laboratory technicians, salespeople, marketing people, legal people, as well as scientists of various disciplines,” Janero says.

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Biomedical science professionals also have the unique opportunity to work in the private or public sector, allowing them to further tailor their career opportunities to fit their particular interests.

Yet no matter which applications of biomedical science one is looking to pursue, professionals must start by obtaining an advanced degree in the field. As Janero explains, “solid training in the biomedical sciences at the PhD or master’s level provides a kind of necessary flexibility, because it calls upon the student to develop a number of skills not limited to those required at the bench.” 

This includes the honing of critical soft skills, including:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Collaboration

The combination of these skills with practical hands-on abilities is vital for success in all of today’s biomedical science roles. 

Below, we explore the top career options available to biomedical scientists with either a master’s or a PhD in the field.

Top biomedical science careers for master’s degree holders

1. biomedical laboratory technician.

Salary : $81,760

Responsibilities: Biomedical laboratory technicians hold a wide array of responsibilities, primarily within a wet-lab setting. According to Janero, they participate in:

• Drug discoveries
• Profiling novel compounds as potential drugs
• Synthesizing and purifying new chemical matter

2. Senior clinical research associate

Salary: $88,372

Responsibilities: Clinical research associates provide advanced technical support during the clinical research process, including:

• Handling equipment
• Presenting findings

Due to the private nature of this work, these individuals are often held to high ethical standards and must strictly follow established processes to prevent unwanted contamination of collected data or patient records.

3. Biomedical scientist

Salary: $110,919

Responsibilities: Biomedical scientists at this level are responsible for the following:

• Designing experiments
• Implementing experiments in a research environment
• Publishing articles in academic journals on their findings

They may work independently or under the supervision of PhD-level scientists.

4. Senior medical writer

Salary: $96,190

Responsibilities: Medical writers create manuals and other training or educational materials for readers both with and without medical backgrounds. Their writing must translate between audiences and speak to multiple groups, including:

• Medical professionals
• Commercial audiences

They often conduct the research needed to develop these materials and thus require a robust understanding of the biomedical science field as a whole. 

5. Senior medicinal chemist

Salary: $151,779

Responsibilities: Medicinal chemists create the chemicals and compounds that are used to develop helpful medicinal drugs. This often includes the following responsibilities:

• Making calculated adjustments to chemical compounds
• Studying each chemical’s reaction to each other and its environment
• Leveraging that information to understand how a drug will behave in the human body

Medicinal chemists also need to be able to take notes effectively so they can easily share their findings with others.

Biomedical science careers for PhD holders

6. tenure-track professor of biomedical science.

Salary: $104,319

Responsibilities: A full-time, tenure-track professor of biomedical science teaches cohorts of graduate and undergraduate students about a variety of biomedical science practices. Many professors at this level also continue their hands-on work in the university’s labs. They may do the following:

• Mentor students
• Oversee their research
• Launch university-funded projects or trials

Since they work with a variety of students and professors, communication skills are vital for this role. 

7. Medical sales director

Salary: $109,519

Responsibilities: Medical sales representatives combine a vast knowledge of biomedical science practices with the advanced communication skills of a salesperson. Their primary responsibility is to sell medical devices to private companies and clinics, including:

• Tracking down potential customers
• Developing a pitch for their products
• Addressing any posed questions or concerns

Medical sales directors may also mentor entry-level sales reps on their teams.

8. Senior biomedical scientist

Salary: $115,881

Responsibilities: The title of senior biomedical scientist is an entry-level wet-lab role for PhD holders. These individuals spend much of their time carrying out research, reporting their findings to those higher up within their organizations.

9. Principal investigator

Salary: $104,024

Responsibilities: Principal investigators take the lead in laboratory research. They are typically responsible for the following:

• Setting parameters for experiments
• Outlining the steps for testing
• Overseeing a team of scientists who then conduct the experiments

According to Janero, at this stage, a principal investigator “basically becomes an internal guide and advisor to your group as well as to the entity you’re working in,” which can range from a university department to a pharmaceutical company. 

10. Pharmaceutical marketing manager

Salary: $122,581

Responsibilities: Pharmaceutical or biomedical marketing managers oversee the strategies and messaging of drugs and other medical devices within the marketplace. This might include:

• Working on branding
• Developing advertising campaigns
• Leading generation practices

These individuals often act as liaisons between the marketing director and all other marketing representatives on staff.

Taking the next step

For professionals hoping to land one of these specialized careers within the biomedical science field, a graduate degree is an effective next step. Consider your career goals, then start exploring the master’s and PhD programs in biomedical science offered at top universities like Northeastern.

“Our programs don’t educate with any particular outcome or career bias in mind, other than making sure you are as well-equipped as possible in your educational area of focus,” Janero says. “We just want to make sure our students are market-ready and competitive in their unique fields.”

Ready to take the next step in advancing your biomedical science career? Explore the Master of Science in Biomedical Science and PhD in Biomedical Science programs at Northeastern, and get in touch with an enrollment coach today for advice on which might be the best fit for your goals.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2020. It has since been updated for relevance and accuracy. 

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The global pharmaceutical market is expected to grow 7% to reach $225B by 2025, driving job growth for qualified professionals.

Graduate Programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Northeastern's pharmaceutical programs allow students to focus on more than one area in biomedical science to prepare them to work in an evolving and interdisciplinary field.

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