Careers in Toxicology
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Careers in Toxicology
• Pharmaceutical and chemical
manufacturing industries
(technicians, scientists,
executives)—all degrees
• Academic—predominantly Ph.D.
• Government
– State agencies—all degrees
– Federal agencies, especially
US EPA, NIH, DOD, FDA—
predominantly Ph.D.
• Consulting agencies—all degrees
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Preparation for Careers
in Toxicology
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Undergraduates should take a
strong program in the sciences,
including biology, chemistry,
mathematics, and statistics
Seek out research opportunities in
a lab on your campus or through a
summer program to see if you like
research
Some schools have undergraduate
toxicology degrees
However, many undergraduate
degrees are appropriate
background to apply for graduate
school
Sometimes a year or two of work, especially in a science-related position,
is good preparation as you plan your career path
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Applying to Graduate School
Requirements
• Respectable undergraduate GPA
(over 3.0), especially the last two years
• Good GRE scores (1000 or 1100
on verbal and quantitative tests,
combined)
• Strong letters of recommendation
• Well-written personal statements
• Prior research experience is a plus
Investigate admissions process in your junior year
• Identify programs of interest
• Request information
• Follow the steps leading to application
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Choosing a Graduate School
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Apply to programs that match your interest
Many schools reimburse travel to visit the campus
Prepare for the visit and interview
Meet with several students
Consider important factors and potential advisors
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Quality of the program
Match to your interests
Fit with research advisor
Geography
Cost of living vs. support
available
– Personal factors
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
What is Graduate School Like?
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Time for a graduate program
– A master’s degree often requires
2 years
– A Ph.D. may require 4–6 years
The first and second year will involve
both course work and research
Toxicology students are often
supported on research assistantships
Teaching assistant experience is
valuable if you are considering an
academic career
After passing preliminary exams, the
focus shifts primarily to research in
the remaining years
When you complete your research, a significant and new research
contribution, you present your work to a committee for approval
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Careers in Academia
• Types of positions: Faculty, Lecturer, Research, Postdoctoral
• Scientists who choose academic careers often engage in Postdoctoral
Training
– Opportunity to learn new skills, focus on research, and publish
papers
• Academic scientists seek outside funding for their research
– important to write grant applications that are
funded
– maintain a productive research lab
– publish quality research
• Graduate student and Postdoctoral training is
frequently part of the job
• Some positions are research only positions
• Some positions include teaching undergraduate
courses
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Careers in Industry
Types of positions:
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• New Technology
Research
• Pre-Clinical
Lab Director
• Clinical Development and Testing
Study Director
• Sales
Lab Technician
Animal Care
Product Safety
Quality assurance
Risk Assessment
Regulatory
Product Development
Innovation
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Careers in Contract Labs
• Contract labs do testing for
pharmaceutical, food
additive, chemical,
agrichemical, and medical
device industries, and for
governmental agencies
• Types of work done in contract labs
– Pre-clinical testing in animals and in vitro models
– Studies conducted in USDA approved facilities using good
laboratory practices (GLP) guidelines
– Testing of compounds in different in vitro and animal
models, using different routes of administration, varying times
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Careers in Industry
Toxicologists work with chemical, pharmaceutical,
and other industries to test and ensure that their products
and workplaces are safe
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Careers in Regulatory Affairs
• Work on local, state, and federal levels
• Types of positions:
– Research
– Risk Assessment
– Regulatory
– Forensics
• Develop and enforce laws to ensure that
chemicals are safely produced and safely used
• Factors in regulatory decision making
– Research
– Legislative/political factors
– Social factors
– Economic factors
– Technical feasibility
– Risk assessment
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Consulting
• Some toxicologists serve as consultants
• Usually have experience in industry
• Advise businesses
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
The Market for Toxicologists
• ~ 3412 employed, full time Ph.D.s in US and Canada
• ~ 434 unfilled Ph.D. positions (including 130 postdoctoral positions)
• The annual demand for new Ph.D.s has averaged ~ 196/year
• The annual supply of new Ph.D.s is approximately 70
• Over 1/2 of recent Ph.D.s entered industry
• Compensation is extremely good and highly
competitive with other biomedical sciences in
both academic and private sectors
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Gad, Shayne C. Fifth and Sixth Triennial Toxicology Salary Survey, 2002 & 2005
Degrees & Training For Toxicologists
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Salary Range by Degree
in Toxicology
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Toxicology Employment by Sector
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Geographical Distribution
of Toxicologists
© 2008 Society of Toxicology
Source: 2007 Triennial Toxicology Survey