What does a development scientist do?
Companies with a manufacturing arm usually employ Development Scientists. They are responsible for studying the company's processes and products and conducting research on improving these. They work on new strategies to make production and manufacturing more efficient. They also conduct feasibility studies to ensure that the strategies they come up with are effective and analyze the results of such studies. They then present these findings to their colleagues and develop implementation strategies for smoother streamlining of new processes.
Development scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real development scientist resumes:
- Lead group in performing sample preparation and delivering DNA conjugate beads for sequencing on novel NGS platform.
- Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
- Develop and validate a host cell protein ELISA method for drug substance and in-process samples.
- Develop qualification protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) for process and packaging equipment.
- Conduct regular preventative maintenance on equipment such as titrators, Hamilton diluters, and GC.
- Attend training for laboratory softwares, cGMP, safety, ISO and other regulatory guidelines and requirements.
- Ensure compliance to FDA regulations, and oversee various contract research laboratories, ensuring adherence to company protocols.
- Support and lead efforts to maintain internal systems and infrastructure under GLP and GCP regulations and international standards.
- Investigate effects of the sample treatment procedure on the consistency of the PVA content to optimize method for GMP release.
- Conduct raw materials and excipients release testing (UPS/NF, EP, JP) under strict cGMP and GLP environments.
- Perform ELISA screening for monoclonal antibody production.
- Work extensively on HPLC instrument maintenance & troubleshooting.
- Collaborate with compliance team for FDA submission documentation.
- Develop and validate custom calculations for automate HPLC reporting.
- Provide testing support to manufacturing process development in a GMP laboratory.
Development scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Development Scientists are proficient in Chemistry, Data Analysis, and GMP.
We break down the percentage of Development Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Chemistry, 10%
Developed chemistry protocols, evaluated chemistry and instrument performance, and assessment of biochemical applications.
- Data Analysis, 7%
Review notebooks and data analysis for testing approval.
- GMP, 5%
Created new protocols and laboratory procedures for design transfer into Manufacturing following GLP and GMP guidelines.
- HPLC, 4%
Developed and validated custom calculations for automated HPLC reporting.
- QC, 3%
Developed and qualified new manufacturing processes that reduced product variability and QC failure rate.
- FDA, 3%
Collaborated with compliance team for FDA submission documentation.
"chemistry," "data analysis," and "gmp" are among the most common skills that development scientists use at work. You can find even more development scientist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a development scientist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a development scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "coordinated and maintained communication between multiple cros for the production of monoclonal antibodies. "
Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling development scientist duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." According to a development scientist resume, here's how development scientists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "corticosteroid-associated adverse effect in icu septic shock patients --pharmacovigilance in longitudinal observational databases 3. "
The three companies that hire the most development scientists are:
- AstraZeneca26 development scientists jobs
- Danaher19 development scientists jobs
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals
9 development scientists jobs
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Compare different development scientists
Development scientist vs. Laboratory analyst
A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between development scientists and laboratory analyst. For instance, development scientist responsibilities require skills such as "chemistry," "qc," "technical reports," and "clinical trials." Whereas a laboratory analyst is skilled in "lab equipment," "laboratory procedures," "sample preparation," and "analytical methods." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Laboratory analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $47,806. On the other hand, development scientists are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $96,501.laboratory analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than development scientists. In fact, laboratory analysts are 7.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Development scientist vs. Research fellow
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real development scientist resumes. While development scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "gmp," "qc," "technical reports," and "product development," research fellows use skills like "patients," "research projects," "cell culture," and "immunology."
Research fellows may earn a lower salary than development scientists, but research fellows earn the most pay in the non profits industry with an average salary of $57,261. On the other hand, development scientists receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $96,501.research fellows earn similar levels of education than development scientists in general. They're 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for development scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Development scientist vs. Postdoctoral research associate
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, development scientists are more likely to have skills like "gmp," "qc," "fda," and "technical reports." But a postdoctoral research associate is more likely to have skills like "python," "research projects," "post-doctoral," and "cell culture."
Postdoctoral research associates make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $69,999. On the other hand, development scientists are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $96,501.postdoctoral research associates typically earn similar educational levels compared to development scientists. Specifically, they're 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 31.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Development scientist vs. Postdoctoral associate
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Types of development scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
