Updated on Mar 22, 2025
Poulomi Dey
PhD Pharmacology: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Entrance Exam, Salary, Career Scope
PhD in Pharmacology is a doctoral-level program that focuses on the study of drugs and their role in disease treatment and prevention. The PhD in Pharmacology covers topics like pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism, toxicology, etc.
Candidates with a Master’s degree in Pharmacology or equivalent can apply for the PhD in Pharmacology. Admission to the course is based on merit or entrance exams like CUET PG, CUCET, etc. AIIMS Delhi, LPU, ERA University and GITAM are a few PhD Pharmacology colleges.
PhD in Pharmacology graduates can explore diverse career options in pharmaceutical industries and research institutions. Some job roles that a PhD in Pharmacology professional can pursue include Research Scientist, Drug Safety Specialist, Toxicologist, Clinical Pharmacologist, and Professor. PhD in Pharmacology average package for freshers ranges between INR 5 LPA and INR 15 LPA.
PhD Pharmacology Course Highlights
The table below shows the PhD in Pharmacology course highlights:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | PhD in Pharmacology |
| Duration | 3 - 6 years |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree (MSc/MPharm in Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field) with a minimum of 55-60% marks. |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam + Interview. |
| Exams Accepted | UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GPAT, GATE, University-specific exams. |
| Average Course Fee | INR 50,000 - INR 3,00,000 |
| 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 PhD Pharmacology?
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 PhD Pharmacology?
A PhD in Pharmacology opens diverse career options for the candidates. The PhD Pharmacology professionals can explore careers in pharmaceutical companies, government research labs, healthcare organizations, etc. A few reasons to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology are listed below:
- The PhD in Pharmacology professionals have the opportunity to work in reputed organisations like WHO, FDA, ICMR, CDSCO, and top pharmaceutical companies.
- PhD in Pharmacology helps the candidates enhance their drug discovery, toxicology, and clinical trials which enables them to contribute to groundbreaking research and improve drug safety.
PhD Pharmacology Admission Process
PhD in Pharmacology admission is 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.
- Apply and qualify for the LPUNEST.
- Shortlisted candidates must attend the Personal Interview.
- Selected candidates must take admission by paying the fees.
PhD 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 Pharm D are eligible to apply.
PhD 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 | March 2025 | June 2025 |
| GATE 2025 | October 2024 | Feb 1, 2, 15 & 16, 2025 |
| CSIR-UGC NET 2025 | May 2025 | July 2025 |
| LPUNEST 2025 | May 9 and 11, 2025 | May 7, 2025 |
PhD 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 | Course Topics |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Fundamentals of General Pharmacology: Dosage forms and routes of administration, mechanism of action and combined effects of drugs, factors modifying drug action, tolerance, and dependence, pharmacogenetics and principles of basic and clinical pharmacokinetics, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs, adverse drug reactions and bioassay of drugs, biological standardization and discovery/development of new drugs, bioavailability and bioequivalence studies. Pharmacology of Peripheral Nervous System: Neurohumoral transmission (autonomic and somatic), parasympathomimetic and parasympatholytic. |
| Year 2 | Advanced Pharmacology Topics: Pharmacology of the endocrine system (hormones and their pharmacological effects), chemotherapy principles (bacterial resistance, antibiotics), pharmacology of cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Research Methodology: Experimental design, biostatistics, and data analysis. Electives: Neuropharmacology, Toxicology. |
| Year 3 | Dissertation Work: Conducting original research under supervision, writing and defending the dissertation. Seminars & Workshops: Participation in workshops on contemporary pharmacological research topics, and presentation of research findings. |
Top Colleges in India for PhD Pharmacology
The table below shows the list of PhD Pharmacology colleges along with their annual course fee:
| NIRF Ranking | College Name | Location | Course | 1st year Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151-200 (Overall) | GITAM | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | PhD Pharmacology | INR 30,000 |
| 27 (University) | LPU | Jalandhar, Punjab | PhD Pharmacology | INR 1,00,000 |
| - | ERA University | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | PhD in Medical Pharmacology | INR 75,000 |
| - | AL-Karim University | Katihar, Bihar | PhD Pharmacology | INR 1,50,000 |
| 7 (Overall) | AIIMS Delhi | Ansari Nagar, New Delhi | PhD Pharmacology | INR 2,045 |
PhD Pharmacology Jobs
After completing the PhD 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 job roles along with the average package are mentioned below:
| Job Role | Average Salary (INR Lakhs per annum) | Experience (Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | INR 8 - 15 LPA | 2-5 |
| Senior Medical Advisor | INR 19 - 25 LPA | 5-10 |
| Clinical Research Associate | INR 4 - 10 LPA | 2-4 |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialist | INR 6 - 12 LPA | 3-7 |
| Pharmacovigilance Officer | INR 5 - 9 LPA | 2-5 |
| Assistant Professor (Pharmacology) | INR 6 - 10 LPA | 3+ |
| Project Research Scientist | INR 7 - 12 LPA | 2-4 |
| Formulation Scientist | INR 8 - 14 LPA | 3-6 |
PhD 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: PhD 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 MBA in Pharmaceutical Management to get a managerial role in the pharmaceutical industry.
PhD Pharmacology FAQ
What are the top colleges to pursue 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 Pharmacology in part-time mode?
Yes, candidates interested in pursuing PhD in Pharmacology can apply through the part-time mode. Lovely Professional University offers PhD in Pharmacology in both full-time and part-time mode. The course fee is INR 50000 per semester.
What is the stipend for 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 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.
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