Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: NMR Spectroscopy • ADME • GMP

ADME

Term from Pharmaceutical Research industry explained for recruiters

ADME is a fundamental concept in drug development that describes how medications move through and interact with the body. The letters stand for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion - these are the key stages that determine how effective a drug will be. Think of it like tracking a package from the moment it's delivered to when it's disposed of, but for medicines in the body. Scientists who work with ADME help determine if a potential new drug is safe and effective before it goes to clinical trials. This type of work is essential in pharmaceutical companies and research organizations that develop new medications.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted ADME studies for new drug candidates in preclinical development

Led team of scientists in evaluating ADME properties of potential therapeutic compounds

Optimized ADME screening methods to improve efficiency of drug discovery process

Typical job title: "ADME Scientists"

Also try searching for:

DMPK Scientist Pharmacokineticist Drug Metabolism Scientist ADME/PK Scientist Preclinical Research Scientist Drug Discovery Scientist Pharmaceutical Research Scientist

Where to Find ADME Scientists

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you design an ADME strategy for a new drug development program?

Expected Answer: A senior scientist should explain the process of planning studies to understand how a drug moves through the body, including key decision points, resource allocation, and timeline considerations. They should emphasize how their strategy helps make decisions about moving drug candidates forward.

Q: What experience do you have with regulatory requirements for ADME studies?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of FDA and EMA guidelines for drug development, experience preparing regulatory documents, and understanding of what studies are required before human trials can begin.

Mid Level Questions

Q: Can you explain how you would investigate unexpected drug metabolism results?

Expected Answer: Should describe a systematic approach to problem-solving, including checking experimental conditions, reviewing data quality, and considering alternative explanations for unexpected findings.

Q: What methods do you use to predict drug absorption?

Expected Answer: Should discuss various laboratory techniques and computer models used to predict how well a drug will be absorbed by the body, showing practical experience with these tools.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic principles of ADME?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain in simple terms how drugs are absorbed into the body, distributed to different areas, broken down (metabolized), and removed from the body (excreted).

Q: What laboratory techniques are commonly used in ADME studies?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate familiarity with basic laboratory methods used to study how drugs interact with the body, including sample preparation and analysis techniques.