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Issue: 124Subscribers: 14,742+

Hey Fellow Misfit PharmDs! 👋

I’ve got to share this week’s deep dive right away because you all have been absolutely going bonkers over wanting to know more about biotech—especially entry-level roles to get your foot in the door. So, I’m delivering up a different side of what you’ve been asking for! 🚀

And this story started in the most 2024 way possible—with a LinkedIn DM that made me realize I had gotten something wrong (and thankfully, someone kind enough to tell me!). Here’s what landed in my inbox:

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That DM came from Dr. Adam Quicquaro, who graciously agreed to pull back the curtain on a fascinating corner of the pharmaceutical industry that most of us know nothing about. And trust me, what I learned made me realize we’ve been missing out on some incredible opportunities.

What Even IS Clinical Development? 🧬

Think of drug development like building a bridge between scientific discoveries and actual treatments that help patients. Clinical Development professionals? They’re the architects and project managers making sure that bridge is solid.

As Dr. Quicquaro puts it: “Clinical development can be broadly divided into two categories. One is designing and overseeing clinical trials, and the other is translational medicine—taking data from lab findings and animal models and figuring out how to translate them into something that could help patients.”

In plain English, they:

• Design and oversee clinical trials from Phase 1 to Phase 3
• Transform laboratory discoveries into practical treatments
• Work with everything from pre-clinical animal studies to late-stage human trials
• Analyze complex data to determine if treatments are working
• Collaborate with physicians, scientists, and statisticians

But here’s what made me sit up straight: The work is far more creative and innovative than I ever imagined. Dr. Quicquaro shared a story about working on a rare form of heart failure where he’s not just following a study protocol—he’s actively looking for new ways to use the drug’s mechanism of action. “We know this drug works in treating this rare disease, but has anyone ever tested it’s mechanism in blood? Can it also diagnose patients?” he asked his team. That question led to exploring not just a treatment, but a potentially a new diagnostic.

The Day-to-Day Life: Not Your Typical Pharmacy Gig 🔬

“I get to design the experiments, and then the lab experts actually conduct them,” Dr. Quicquaro explains. A typical day might include:

• Reviewing patient labs and clinical data
• Designing new experiments
• Analyzing results with the team
• Collaborating with physicians, biostatisticians, etc.
• Working with lab teams to conduct studies
• Translating scientific findings into practical applications

The best part? The work environment has evolved post-pandemic. “It’s hybrid,” Dr. Quicquaro shares. “I go to the office three days a week, any day, it doesn’t really matter when, as long as I’m there.” Plus, many companies follow the industry standard of shutting down between Christmas and New Year’s—something you’ll never see in retail pharmacy!

The Money Talk 💰

Let’s talk numbers (because we know you want to know!):

Salary Ranges:

• Entry Level: $75K-$100K
• Manager Level: $120-140K
• Senior Manager: $140K+
• Associate Director: $160K+
• Director and beyond: “The sky’s the limit”

Benefits Package:

• 4-6 weeks vacation
• Generous sick time
• Excellent healthcare coverage
• Company shutdowns during holidays
• Hybrid work arrangements
• Competitive bonuses

Breaking Into Clinical Development: It’s Easier Than You Think 🚀

“If you’re coming out of school and don’t want to take a massive pay cut like a fellowship or residency,” Dr. Quicquaro advises, “you can have an entry-level position somewhere around $75-100K.”

Entry-Level Positions to Target:

• Clinical Trial Manager
• Clinical Research Associate
• Global Study Manager/Associate
• Misc. Clinical Operations roles
• Program Management positions

The secret sauce? These roles focus on the operations side of trials rather than the medical conduct—perfect for pharmacists who excel at organization and process management.

Hub Cities and Remote Work 🌎

While being in a biotech hub can help, it’s not mandatory. The major hubs are:

• Boston
• New Jersey region
• San Diego
• Seattle/San Francisco
• New Haven, CT (emerging biotech hub)

But here’s the good news: remote opportunities exist! Dr. Quicquaro shared that he has colleagues working remotely from places like South Carolina while their company is based in Boston. “It really depends on the culture of the company and what they’re willing to do for their workforce.”

Dr. Quicquaro’s Wild Ride: From Pharmacy School to Clinical Development 🎢

His journey shows that the path isn’t always straight:

• Attended Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston
• Got involved with Industry Pharmacist Organization (IPhO)
• Initially pursued Medical Affairs
• Started a fellowship but realized he wanted to be closer to the research
• Transitioned to Clinical Development
• Now approaching Director level before 30

The motto he has lived by that had paid off the most? “I’ve never said no when an interesting opportunity comes along.” (we’ve heard this from previous interviewees. Seems to be a recurring theme here! 💡)

The Dr. Quicquaro Method of Breaking In? 🎯Just Start

Start with these concrete steps today:

1. Join Key Organizations:
   • Apply for membership in the Industry Pharmacist Organization (IPhO), Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS), etc.
   • Look for student chapters or regional groups in biotech hubs
   • Follow their job boards and networking events
   • [side note for students] “I know a lot of fellows that had incredible industry experience from their APPE rotations. Some moved for the 4-6 weeks, some had remote opportunities, and some were not even remote but were at the FDA, HHS, NIH, CDC, etc.”
2. Build Your LinkedIn Strategy:
   • Update your profile to highlight project management and organizational skills
   • Connect with 3 clinical development professionals this week (Adam’s tip: include context like “I saw your work in rare disease development and would love to learn more about your path to clinical development”)
   • Set a calendar reminder to engage with industry content for 15 minutes daily
3. Target Entry-Level Roles:
   • Set job alerts for “Clinical Trial Manager” and “Clinical Research Associate” positions
   • Focus on operations-side roles (they’re more attainable without prior industry experience)
   • Look for companies with “Global Study Associate” positions
   • Don’t rule out remote positions, even if you’re not in a biotech hub
4. Prepare for Interviews:
   • Practice explaining how pharmacy workflow management translates to clinical trial oversight
   • Ready examples of when you’ve managed complex projects or timelines
   • Study up on basic clinical trial phases and terminology
   • Prepare questions about the company’s pipeline and development programs

Remember Adam’s advice: “Just because you don’t have 100% of qualifications doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply. If there’s nothing new for you to learn, then really what’s there besides the paycheck?”

*This article is based on my interview with Dr. Quicquaro for informational purposes only. Our aim was to teach about an industry most PharmDs don’t know about, and not to represent any specific company. The views expressed are personal opinions and do not reflect those of any employer.

Your Next Steps: Choose Your Own Adventure 🌈

Before you start updating your LinkedIn profile to include “Future Clinical Development Scientist,” take a moment to reflect:

• Does the idea of designing clinical trials excite you?
• Are you energized by translating complex scientific findings into practical applications?
• Would you thrive in a role that combines creativity with scientific rigor?

Remember: The best career move isn’t always the one with the highest salary—it’s the one that aligns with your strengths and interests. Maybe clinical development isn’t your jam, and that’s perfectly okay! Your PharmD is a master key that can unlock many doors.

Want to explore ALL your options before making your next move? Join the waitlist for PharmD HQ’s flagship course, where we deep dive into these career paths and help you find your perfect fit.

With grit and gratitude, Jamie

P.S. Huge thanks to Dr. Adam Quicquaro for sharing his journey and insights into clinical development. Follow him on LinkedIn for more wisdom from the biotech world! 🙌

P.P.S. Next week, we’re diving into another hidden PharmD career path. Reply to this email with roles you’d like me to investigate!

Final PS. If you made it this far to the bottom of my email I want to reward you. I've had a wildly enthusiastic response from so many of you looking to break into biotech. Here is an entry-level job listing I shared with many of you last week. I also just came across another perfect entry level position too you have to know about. Check it out here. (Note--US-based only for this role). Throw your hat in the ring and apply today! You got this. 🚀💪🏻

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