Science & pharmaceuticals Jobs in Norway

Why Work in the Science & Pharmaceuticals in Norway

Strong Research and Innovation Ecosystem

Norway invests heavily in scientific research and technological innovation. The country is home to well-funded universities, research institutions, and private sector partnerships that support cutting-edge developments in pharmaceuticals and life sciences.

High Quality of Life

Professionals in Norway enjoy a high standard of living, excellent work-life balance, and strong social benefits. This supportive environment enhances job satisfaction and overall well-being.

Government Support and Funding

The Norwegian government offers significant support to the science and pharmaceutical sectors through grants, tax incentives, and policies that encourage sustainable innovation and development.

Collaborative Work Environment

Workplaces in Norway emphasize collaboration, transparency, and flat organizational structures. This fosters creativity and mutual respect in scientific and pharmaceutical teams.

Focus on Sustainability and Ethics

Norway is a leader in sustainable and ethical practices, including in pharmaceuticals. Companies are committed to environmental responsibility and ethical drug development, attracting professionals who value integrity and global impact.

Growing Industry Opportunities

The science and pharmaceutical industries in Norway are growing, with increasing demand for skilled professionals in biotechnology, clinical research, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

International Work Environment

With a high level of English proficiency and international collaboration, Norway is an attractive location for global talent. Many companies offer roles suited to expatriates and encourage cultural diversity in the workplace.

Creative Science & Pharmaceuticals in Norway for International Candidates

Innovative Research Opportunities

Norway offers a dynamic environment for international scientists and pharmaceutical professionals, with access to advanced laboratories, research grants, and interdisciplinary projects in areas like biotechnology, personalized medicine, and green pharmaceuticals.

Global Collaboration Networks

The science and pharmaceutical sectors in Norway are deeply integrated with international research communities. This allows foreign professionals to work on globally relevant projects and collaborate with leading experts from across Europe and beyond.

English as a Working Language

Many research institutions and pharmaceutical companies in Norway operate in English, making it accessible for international candidates. This removes language barriers and eases the transition for professionals moving from abroad.

Creative Freedom and Flat Hierarchies

Work culture in Norway encourages innovation and values the input of all team members, regardless of seniority. International scientists are often given the creative freedom to lead projects and explore new approaches.

Supportive Immigration Policies for Skilled Workers

Norway has streamlined immigration processes for skilled professionals in science and healthcare, including work visas and fast-track residency for qualified candidates, making relocation straightforward for international hires.

Access to Cutting-Edge Technology

From AI in drug discovery to advanced clinical trials, Norway’s pharmaceutical sector invests in the latest technologies, offering international candidates the chance to work at the forefront of scientific advancement.

Cultural Integration and Work-Life Balance

International employees are welcomed with programs that help them integrate culturally and professionally. Combined with Norway’s well-known focus on work-life balance, this creates an ideal setting for long-term career growth.

Types of Science & Pharmaceuticals Jobs in Norway

Biotechnology Researcher

Focuses on developing new drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools using biological systems and living organisms. Common in both academic and industrial research settings.

Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

Monitors clinical trials to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and ethical standards. Works with hospitals, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Ensures that pharmaceutical products meet all legal and regulatory requirements for approval and marketing. Plays a key role in documentation, licensing, and compliance.

Pharmacovigilance Officer

Responsible for monitoring and evaluating the safety of pharmaceutical products after they reach the market, analyzing adverse effects, and reporting to authorities.

Pharmaceutical Scientist

Works on the development, formulation, and testing of new medications. Involved in both research and product development phases within pharmaceutical companies.

Quality Assurance (QA) & Quality Control (QC) Analyst

Ensures products meet strict quality and safety standards. QA focuses on processes, while QC involves laboratory testing of materials and finished products.

Medical Science Liaison (MSL)

Serves as a bridge between pharmaceutical companies and the medical community, providing scientific support and education to healthcare professionals.

Toxicologist

Analyzes the effects of chemicals, drugs, and other substances on living organisms to ensure safety in drug development and environmental health.

Microbiologist or Molecular Biologist

Studies microorganisms and genetic material to support drug development, vaccine research, and diagnostics.

Bioinformatics Specialist

Applies data science and computational tools to analyze biological data, crucial for genomics, drug discovery, and personalized medicine initiatives.

Production and Process Engineer

Works in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities to design, optimize, and monitor production processes, ensuring efficiency and compliance.

Laboratory Technician

Supports research and development by conducting experiments, maintaining lab equipment, and analyzing samples under the supervision of senior scientists.

Average Salary of Top 20 Job Profile of Science & Pharmaceuticals in Norway

Job Title	Salary (NOK/year)	Salary (USD/year)	Salary (INR/year)
Biotechnology Researcher	750,000	71,400	6,375,000
Clinical Research Associate (CRA)	720,000	68,600	6,120,000
Regulatory Affairs Specialist	780,000	74,300	6,630,000
Pharmacovigilance Officer	730,000	69,500	6,205,000
Pharmaceutical Scientist	800,000	76,200	6,800,000
QA/QC Analyst	710,000	67,600	6,035,000
Medical Science Liaison (MSL)	900,000	85,700	7,650,000
Toxicologist	740,000	70,400	6,290,000
Microbiologist	700,000	66,700	5,950,000
Molecular Biologist	720,000	68,600	6,120,000
Bioinformatics Specialist	850,000	81,000	7,225,000
Production/Process Engineer	760,000	72,400	6,460,000
Laboratory Technician	620,000	59,000	5,270,000
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	680,000	64,800	5,780,000
Biomedical Engineer	790,000	75,200	6,715,000
Clinical Data Manager	770,000	73,300	6,545,000
Formulation Scientist	740,000	70,400	6,290,000
Research Scientist	800,000	76,200	6,800,000
Medical Writer	720,000	68,600	6,120,000
Health Economist	880,000	83,800	7,480,000

Job Eligibility to Work in Science & Pharmaceuticals in Norway for International Job Applicants.

Eligibility Criteria	Details
Educational Qualification	Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in relevant fields such as biology, chemistry, pharmacy, medicine, biotechnology, or related sciences.
Work Experience	Typically 2–5 years for mid-level roles; entry-level jobs may require internships or research experience. Senior roles may require 7–10+ years.
Language Requirements	English is widely accepted in most scientific roles. Norwegian language proficiency is preferred for public sector roles and clinical work.
Work Visa / Residence Permit	Must apply for a Skilled Worker Visa; job offer from a Norwegian employer is usually required before applying.
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications	Degrees may need to be evaluated by NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) to ensure equivalency.
Professional Licensing (if applicable)	Some roles (e.g., pharmacists, clinical researchers) may require registration with Norwegian health authorities or professional bodies.
Background Check	Clean criminal record and verification of academic/work credentials are standard for visa and hiring processes.
Job Offer Requirement	A formal job offer from a registered employer in Norway is typically required to obtain a work permit.
Health Insurance	Must have valid health insurance; foreign workers are usually enrolled in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme once employed.
Adaptability & Cultural Fit	Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural teams and adapt to Norway’s work culture is valued.

General Roles and Responsibilities in Science & Pharmaceuticals Jobs in Norway with 20 Job Profiles

Job Title	General Roles and Responsibilities
Biotechnology Researcher	Conduct experiments, develop bioproducts, collaborate on biotech innovations in healthcare or agriculture.
Clinical Research Associate (CRA)	Monitor clinical trials, ensure regulatory compliance, manage documentation and site coordination.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist	Prepare and submit regulatory filings, ensure product compliance with Norwegian and EU regulations.
Pharmacovigilance Officer	Monitor drug safety, report adverse drug reactions, ensure pharmacovigilance compliance.
Pharmaceutical Scientist	Develop and test drug formulations, optimize delivery methods, collaborate with R&D teams.
QA/QC Analyst	Conduct quality testing, ensure adherence to GMP standards, document production quality results.
Medical Science Liaison (MSL)	Build scientific relationships with healthcare providers, provide clinical education, support sales teams.
Toxicologist	Analyze safety profiles of substances, assess health risks, provide regulatory documentation.
Microbiologist	Study microorganisms, conduct lab experiments, support vaccine and antibiotic development.
Molecular Biologist	Perform DNA/RNA analysis, support gene therapy research, develop molecular diagnostic tools.
Bioinformatics Specialist	Analyze biological data using computational tools, contribute to genomics and drug discovery projects.
Production/Process Engineer	Design and optimize manufacturing processes, ensure efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Laboratory Technician	Support experiments, maintain lab equipment, collect and process test samples.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Promote products to healthcare providers, provide product knowledge, meet sales targets.
Biomedical Engineer	Design and test medical devices, collaborate with clinical teams, ensure regulatory compliance.
Clinical Data Manager	Manage clinical trial data, maintain databases, ensure data accuracy and integrity.
Formulation Scientist	Develop new drug formulations, conduct stability studies, support scale-up for manufacturing.
Research Scientist	Lead scientific studies, publish findings, apply for research grants, collaborate with universities/industry.
Medical Writer	Create scientific documentation, prepare clinical reports, write regulatory and educational materials.
Health Economist	Analyze cost-effectiveness of drugs, contribute to pricing strategy, conduct health outcome studies.

General Job Eligibility to work in Science & Pharmaceuticals in Norway with 20 Job Profiles

Job Title	Educational Requirement	Experience	License/Recognition	Language Requirement
Biotechnology Researcher	Master’s/PhD in Biotechnology or related field	2–5 years	NOKUT recognition for foreign degrees	English; Norwegian preferred
Clinical Research Associate (CRA)	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Life Sciences or Pharmacy	1–3 years	GCP certification often required	English required
Regulatory Affairs Specialist	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or Law	2–4 years	Knowledge of EU/Norwegian regulations	English required
Pharmacovigilance Officer	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Pharmacy or Medicine	1–3 years	Regulatory training preferred	English required
Pharmaceutical Scientist	Master’s/PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences	2–5 years	NOKUT recognition if foreign-educated	English; Norwegian useful
QA/QC Analyst	Bachelor’s in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or Life Sciences	1–3 years	Familiarity with GMP/GDP standards	English required
Medical Science Liaison (MSL)	PhD/MD/PharmD preferred	3–6 years	Relevant therapeutic knowledge	Fluent English
Toxicologist	Master’s/PhD in Toxicology or Pharmacology	2–4 years	Certification optional but valued	English required
Microbiologist	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Microbiology	1–3 years	Lab certifications preferred	English required
Molecular Biologist	Master’s/PhD in Molecular Biology	2–5 years	Research experience needed	English required
Bioinformatics Specialist	Master’s/PhD in Bioinformatics, CS, or Biology	2–5 years	Programming skills (Python, R) required	English required
Production/Process Engineer	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Engineering, Chemical/Process	2–4 years	GMP knowledge preferred	English; Norwegian preferred
Laboratory Technician	Associate/Bachelor’s in Lab Technology or Science	0–2 years	Practical lab training	English required
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Bachelor’s in Pharmacy or Life Sciences	1–3 years	Local market knowledge preferred	Fluent Norwegian often required
Biomedical Engineer	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Biomedical Engineering	2–4 years	Device regulations familiarity	English; Norwegian preferred
Clinical Data Manager	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Statistics, IT, or Life Sciences	2–5 years	Data management tools experience (e.g., SAS, R)	English required
Formulation Scientist	Master’s/PhD in Pharmaceutics or Chemistry	2–4 years	Lab and scale-up experience	English required
Research Scientist	PhD in relevant science field	3–6 years	Publications and research portfolio	English; Norwegian helpful
Medical Writer	Bachelor’s/Master’s in Life Sciences or Pharmacy	2–4 years	Strong scientific writing skills	Fluent English
Health Economist	Master’s in Health Economics or Public Health	2–5 years	Experience in cost-effectiveness studies	English required

Experience Required to work in Science & Pharmaceuticals in Norway

Job Title	Entry-Level Experience	Mid-Level Experience	Senior-Level Experience
Biotechnology Researcher	0–2 years (postgraduate/lab work)	3–5 years R&D experience	6–10+ years + publication record
Clinical Research Associate (CRA)	1–2 years (clinical trials, GCP)	3–5 years in clinical monitoring	6+ years + project leadership
Regulatory Affairs Specialist	1–2 years (regulatory basics)	3–5 years with EU/EMA exposure	6–10+ years + cross-border filings
Pharmacovigilance Officer	1–2 years (safety reporting)	3–5 years with global PV systems	6+ years + strategic safety roles
Pharmaceutical Scientist	0–2 years (internships/lab)	3–5 years in formulation/R&D	6–10+ years + product development
QA/QC Analyst	0–2 years (GMP exposure)	3–5 years in manufacturing	6+ years + QA leadership
Medical Science Liaison (MSL)	3–5 years (clinical/research)	5–8 years in field-based roles	8–12+ years + team leadership
Toxicologist	0–2 years (research/lab)	3–6 years in risk assessment	7+ years + regulatory submissions
Microbiologist	0–2 years (lab experience)	3–5 years in pharma or academia	6+ years + project/team lead
Molecular Biologist	0–2 years (wet lab or genomics)	3–5 years with publications	6+ years + independent projects
Bioinformatics Specialist	0–2 years (academic/research)	3–5 years with clinical datasets	6+ years + AI/genomics leadership
Production/Process Engineer	1–2 years (GMP/manufacturing)	3–5 years in pharma operations	6+ years + process design/scale-up
Laboratory Technician	0–1 year (lab training or diploma)	2–4 years in pharmaceutical labs	5+ years with method development
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	1–2 years (health sales/fieldwork)	3–5 years in pharma sales	6+ years + regional management
Biomedical Engineer	1–2 years (device or lab experience)	3–5 years in medical devices	6+ years + R&D/QA responsibilities
Clinical Data Manager	1–2 years (data systems training)	3–5 years with EDC tools	6+ years + database oversight
Formulation Scientist	1–2 years (lab formulation)	3–5 years in development	6+ years + production scale-up
Research Scientist	2–3 years (PhD/postdoc)	4–6 years with project grants	7+ years + publications/patents
Medical Writer	1–2 years (scientific writing)	3–5 years with clinical content	6+ years + regulatory documentation
Health Economist	2–3 years (HTA or market access)	4–6 years in pharma economics	7+ years + policy/strategy roles

Top Hiring Companies in Norway of International Candidates in Science & Pharmaceuticals

Company Name	Sector	Headquarters	Notable Focus Areas	International Hiring
GE HealthCare	Medical Technology & Diagnostics	Oslo	Imaging, diagnostics, digital health	Yes (R&D, engineering, clinical)
Thermo Fisher Scientific	Biotech & Pharma Services	Oslo (Regional Office)	Life sciences tools, laboratory equipment, clinical research	Yes (research, sales, QA)
Norsk Medisinaldepot (NMD)	Pharmaceutical Distribution	Oslo	Drug distribution, logistics, wholesale	Yes (regulatory, logistics)
Bayer Norway	Pharmaceuticals & Agriculture	Oslo	Oncology, cardiology, women’s health	Yes (sales, regulatory, research)
MSD (Merck & Co.)	Pharmaceuticals	Drammen	Vaccines, oncology, infectious diseases	Yes (clinical research, MSLs)
AstraZeneca Norway	Pharmaceuticals	Oslo	Respiratory, oncology, CVRM	Yes (research, regulatory)
Statens Serum Institut	Biotech/Health	Oslo (Projects in Norway)	Public health, vaccines, diagnostics	Yes (limited, research-oriented)
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)	Biopharma	Oslo	Immunotherapy, oncology, hematology	Yes (research, clinical, regulatory)
Pfizer Norway	Pharmaceuticals	Oslo	Vaccines, oncology, rare diseases	Yes (medical affairs, sales)
SINTEF	Research Institute	Trondheim	Applied science, biotechnology, materials research	Yes (researchers, engineers)
Oslo University Hospital	Academic/Clinical Research	Oslo	Medical research, clinical trials, genetics	Yes (scientists, PhD/postdocs)
NTNU (Norwegian Univ. of Science and Technology)	Academia/Research	Trondheim	Life sciences, biotechnology, medical engineering	Yes (researchers, PhD, faculty)
Lytix Biopharma	Biopharmaceuticals	Tromsø	Immuno-oncology, peptide drugs	Yes (clinical, R&D roles)
Photocure ASA	Pharmaceuticals (Oncology)	Oslo	Bladder cancer diagnostics and therapy	Yes (regulatory, R&D)
Algeta (Bayer Subsidiary)	Biotech/Oncology	Oslo	Targeted cancer therapies, radiopharmaceuticals	Yes (research, process dev.)
Curida	Pharmaceutical Manufacturing	Elverum	Contract development and manufacturing (CDMO)	Yes (QA/QC, formulation, production)
AbbVie Norway	Biopharmaceuticals	Oslo	Immunology, neuroscience, virology	Yes (MSLs, regulatory)
Nordic Nanovector	Biotech/Pharmaceuticals	Oslo	Targeted cancer therapies	Yes (clinical and research)
Zelluna Immunotherapy	Biotech	Oslo	Cell therapy, TCR-based cancer therapies	Yes (research, lab scientists)
LINK Medical Research	Clinical Research Organization	Oslo	CRO services, regulatory, medical writing	Yes (clinical, data management)