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Pharmacologist

Pharmacologists evaluate the origin, effects and mechanisms of drugs and develop them for human and animal use.

TASKS

Pharmacologists may perform the following tasks:

discover, develop and evaluate substances for use in the treatment of disease
modify the chemical structure of an effective substance to eliminate undesirable side effects
devise and carry out experiments to determine how drug concentrations in the body change over time
test newly discovered or manufactured substances for their safety, characteristics and possible use as drugs
study what happens to a drug after it has been administered
investigate drugs for unwanted or dangerous side effects and, if found, establish why they occur
study other substances that affect living organisms, such as pollutants, poisons and insecticides
write scientific reports on research and investigations, as well as more general information for scientific, managerial, political and general audiences
provide policy and clinical advice to managers, politicians, primary producers, healthcare workers and the general public

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enjoy and have aptitude for science and research
able to think logically and analytically
able to carry out detailed and accurate work
good communication skills
able to think creatively and solve problems
able to work as part of a team

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Clinical Pharmacologist - a specialist physician involved in direct patient care. They typically manage patients with multiple medical problems, who are often prescribed multiple medications that may or may not be compatible with each other.

Non-clinical Pharmacologist - specialises in research and experimental studies for the discovery and development of drugs for diseases.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a pharmacologist you usually have to complete a degree in biomedical science, medical science, pharmaceutical science or science at university with a major in pharmacology. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, and physics are normally required. A number of universities in Australia offer relevant degrees.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Pharmacologists are employed across several industries, including the pharmaceutical industry, scientific research, post-school education, government and private sector organisations (including research organisations), hospitals and other health services.

Demand is linked to factors such as the need for medicines, the market for pharmaceutical products and levels of government funding for research.