A PhD in Pharmacology is a doctoral-level program that helps students learn about drugs and their role in disease treatment and prevention. The PhD in Pharmacology covers topics like pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, toxicology, etc.
Candidates with a Master’s degree in Pharmacology or equivalent can apply for the PhD in Pharmacology. Admission to the PhD program is based on merit or entrance exams like UGC-NET, GATE, etc. Colleges like AIIMS Delhi, LPU and GITAM offer a PhD in Pharmacology program.
Doctorate in Pharmacology graduates have diverse career options in pharmaceutical industries and research institutions. Some of the job roles that a PhD in Pharmacology professional can pursue include Research Scientist, Drug Safety Specialist, Toxicologist, Clinical Pharmacologist, and Professor. The average package for a PhD in Pharmacology freshers ranges between INR 5 and 15 LPA.
- PhD in Pharmacology Course Highlights
- What is a PhD in Pharmacology?
- Why Study a PhD in Pharmacology?
- PhD in Pharmacology Eligibility
- PhD in Pharmacology Entrance Exam
- PhD in Pharmacology Admission Process
- PhD in Pharmacology Syllabus
- Top Colleges in India for PhD in Pharmacology
- PhD in Pharmacology Jobs
- PhD in Pharmacology Future Scopes
- PhD in Pharmacology FAQ
PhD in Pharmacology Course Highlights
The table below shows the PhD in Pharmacology course highlights:
Category | Details |
Course Name | PhD in Pharmacology |
Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology |
Duration | 3 - 6 years |
Eligibility | Master’s degree (MSc/MPharm in Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field) |
Admission Process | Entrance Exam + Interview |
Exams Accepted | UGC-NET, GATE, CUET PG |
Top Colleges | AIIMS, AL-Karim University, ERA University, Lovely Professional University, etc |
Career Prospects | Pharmacologist, Research Scientist, Drug Development Specialist, Toxicologist, Clinical Research Associate |
Average Salary | INR 5 - INR 15 LPA |
Top Employers | Pharmaceutical Companies (Cipla, Sun Pharma, Pfizer), Research Institutes, Government Labs, Hospitals |
What is a PhD in Pharmacology?
A PhD in Pharmacology is a research-based program that helps students understand the study of drug development. The PhD in Pharmacology curriculum focuses on drug design, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, clinical pharmacology, and more. Aspirants pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology get exposure to real-world challenges and problems through laboratory experiments and clinical trials.
PhD in pharmacology professionals are in high demand due to the rise of innovative drug therapies. The PhD in pharmacology graduates have adequate theoretical and practical knowledge to work in pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutions.
Why Study a PhD in Pharmacology?
A PhD in Pharmacology opens diverse career options for candidates. The PhD Pharmacology professionals can explore careers in pharmaceutical companies, government research labs, healthcare organisations, etc. A few reasons to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology are listed below:
- PhD in Pharmacology professionals have the opportunity to work in reputed organisations like the WHO, the FDA, the ICMR, the CDSCO, and top pharmaceutical companies.
- A PhD in Pharmacology helps candidates enhance their drug discovery, toxicology, and clinical trials, which enables them to contribute to groundbreaking research and improve drug safety.
PhD in Pharmacology Eligibility
PhD in Pharmacology eligibility criteria can vary for different institutions. The eligibility criteria for the PhD in Pharmacology at Gitam University are mentioned below:
- Candidates must have completed a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry.
- Candidates with a PharmD are eligible to apply.
PhD in Pharmacology Entrance Exam
The table below shows the PhD in Pharmacology entrance exam that is accepted for admission to the course:
Exams | Registration | Exam Dates |
UGC NET 2025 | April 16 to May 12, 2025 | June 21 to June 30, 2025 |
LPUNEST 2025 | May 8 and June 30, 2025 | July 11 to 13, 2025 |
GATE 2026 | October 2025 | February 2026 |
PhD in Pharmacology Admission Process
PhD in Pharmacology admissionis merit/entrance-based. The PhD in Pharmacology admission is mostly the same for all institutions; however, the admission process of Lovely Professional University is mentioned below:
- Visit the official website of LPU
- Register yourself with relevant details like Name, DOB, Address, etc
- Apply and qualify for the LPUNEST
- Shortlisted candidates must attend the Personal Interview
- Selected candidates must take admission by paying the fees
PhD in Pharmacology Syllabus
The PhD in Pharmacology syllabus is mostly similar across the colleges in India. However, the year-wise syllabus of the PhD in Pharmacology at Gitam University is mentioned below:
Year 1 | |
Fundamentals of General Pharmacology | Pharmacology of the Peripheral Nervous System |
Year 2 | |
Advanced Pharmacology | Research Methodology |
Year 3 | |
Dissertation Work | Seminars & Workshops |
Top Colleges in India for PhD in Pharmacology
The table below shows the list of PhD Pharmacology collegesalong with their annual course fee:
NIRF Ranking | College Name | Location | 1st year Fees |
7 (Overall) | AIIMS Delhi | Ansari Nagar, New Delhi | INR 2,045 |
151-200 (Overall) | GITAM | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | INR 30,000 |
27 (University) | LPU | Jalandhar, Punjab | INR 1,00,000 |
- | ERA University | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | INR 75,000 |
- | AL-Karim University | Katihar, Bihar | INR 1,50,000 |
PhD in Pharmacology Jobs
After completing the Doctoral degree in Pharmacology, graduates can explore a variety of jobs such as Research Scientist, Project Research Scientist, Clinical Research Associate and much more. Some of the PhD Pharmacology jobs, along with the average package, are mentioned below:
Job Role | Average Salary (INR) | Experience (Years) |
Research Scientist | 8 - 15 LPA | 2-5 |
Senior Medical Advisor | 19 - 25 LPA | 5-10 |
Clinical Research Associate | 4 - 10 LPA | 2-4 |
Regulatory Affairs Specialist | 6 - 12 LPA | 3-7 |
Pharmacovigilance Officer | 5 - 9 LPA | 2-5 |
Assistant Professor (Pharmacology) | 6 - 10 LPA | 3+ |
Project Research Scientist | 7 - 12 LPA | 2-4 |
Formulation Scientist | 8 - 14 LPA | 3-6 |
PhD in Pharmacology Future Scopes
Candidates with a PhD in Pharmacology have diverse job opportunities in research, academia, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry. A PhD in Pharmacology graduate can work as a Pharmacology Researcher, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Toxicologist and much more. The other options that are available for a PhD in Pharmacology graduate
are mentioned below:
- Entrepreneurship: Doctorate in Pharmacology professionals can begin their entrepreneurial journey by establishing their own biotechnology or pharmaceutical consulting companies.
- Short-term Courses: The PhD in Pharmacology graduates can pursue online courses in Clinical Trial Management, Drug Regulatory Affairs, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Biostatistics and many more.
- Higher Education: Candidates can opt for a higher education, like an MBA in Pharmaceutical Management, to get a managerial role in the pharmaceutical industry.
PhD in Pharmacology FAQ
What are the top colleges to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology in the USA?
Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Washington are some of the top colleges offering PhD Pharmacology courses. Candidates must have a strong academic background along with a master's degree to apply to these universities.
Can I pursue a PhD in Pharmacology in part-time mode?
Yes, candidates interested in pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology can apply through the part-time mode. Lovely Professional University offers a PhD in Pharmacology in both full-time and part-time modes. The course fee is INR 50000 per semester.
What is the stipend for a PhD in pharmacology?
The stipend for a PhD in Pharmacology varies depending on the funding source and institution. However, a candidate can expect a student between INR 31,000 - 35,000 per month for the 1st two years and gradually increase for the rest of the tenure.
Is the entrance exam tough for PhD Pharmacology?
Yes. The entrance exam for a PhD is generally considered tough as it involves extensive preparation and critical thinking to solve complex problems. However, candidates can take mock tests to familiarize themselves with the exam pattern.
