Explore career options in pharmacology and toxicology
Here you can find information on the types of careers and employment roles a pharmacology and toxicology degree may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
This degree provides a pathway to a career in pharmacology, toxicology or drug research, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other health industries. A range of postgraduate qualifications are available following completion of this degree, including Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Masters’ degrees in fields such as pharmacy, medical research, genetic counselling, rehabilitation counselling, speech pathology, public health, clinical biochemistry, clinical physiology, and infection control.
Career fields
- Hospitals—public and private
- Community pharmacies
- Drug discovery and development
- Public health agencies
- Pharmaceutical regulation
- Pharmaceutical sales and marketing
- Clinical trials
- Regulatory authorities
- CSIRO and other research institutes
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Public health agencies
- Health and medical research
- Public health programs
- Haematology
- Government departments
Employment roles
- Toxicologist
- Analytical toxicologist
- Occupational toxicologist
- Forensic toxicologist
- Regulatory toxicologist
- Environmental toxicologist / Ecotoxicologist
- Clinical toxicologist
- Forensic scientist
- Medical scientist
- Pharmacologist
- Research associate
- Biochemistry scientist
- Scientific and technical officer
- Pharmaceutical representative
- Regulatory assistant / scientist
- Scientist—haematology/microbiology
- Laboratory technician (chemistry)
- GP sales representative
- Laboratory technician
- Clinical trials coordinator
- Medical product specialist
- Graduate research and development officer
- Regulatory
- Laboratory technician
- Graduate environmental scientist
- Research and development technician
Occupation snapshot
Employed
1300
Future demand
Stable
Weekly earnings
$1,386
Part-time share
28%
This data is based on the occupation profile for other life scientists and pharmacists, retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skill Australia website December 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- GradConnection
- AusBiotech members directory
- Australian Public Service recruitment
- Careers at CSIRO
- Ethical Jobs
- New South Wales Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Research Career Jobs (Australia & New Zealand)
- Science People
- Seek Scientific roles for graduates
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. These associations hold regular professional development and networking events:
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The Program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and is committed to promoting decent work and economic growth, advancing the principles of responsible and sustainable consumption and production, and advocating for peace, justice, and resilient institutional frameworks.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.