UNDERSTANDING

BIOTECHNOLOGY
CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES

Career opportunities in biotechnology industries

span a vast range of scientific and non-scientific
fields

Careers in non-scientific areas benefit from an

understanding of the science that underpins the work
of biotechnology industries.

Many of these careers were not imaginable a

couple of decades ago and new discoveries will
undoubtedly lead to future careers that are presently
unforeseen.

Careers in biotechnology are part of the bio-economy

and involve the research, development, manufacturing,
sales and
commercialization of technologies, products and
applications in areas such as:

Below are some examples of the range of careers.

Many of these are not limited to biotechnology, but
they have a role in
biotechnology industries and research.

Career in Biotechnology
Graduates with biotechnology degree can find
employment in government and private sectors.
Many graduates work for pharmaceutical farms,
research laboratories, food processing industries,
aquaculture and agro based industries.

Career in Biotechnology
In general, experts in biotechnology work in the
following capacity:

Research & Development

Quality Control

Clinical Research

Manufacturing & Production

Government Regulatory Affairs

Successful Traits of a Biotechnologist

Open to ideas

Creative problem solving skills

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to work in a team

Meticulous

 Biotechnology
- interdisciplinary,
- requires working together with people from
different
fields such as biology, chemistry,
biochemistry,
microbiology, molecular biology,
immunology,
Some of the fields where biotechnology are applicable
are as follows:

MEDICINE AND HEALTH CARE:

Biotechnology
development of various medicines, vaccines and
diagnostics
Biotechnology is a US$30 billion a year industry that
has produced some 160 drugs and vaccines.

There are more than 370 biotech drug products

and vaccines currently in clinical trials targeting
more than 200 diseases, including various cancers,
Alzheimers disease,
heart disease, diabetes,
multiple sclerosis, AIDS and arthritis.

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:

Research and development for increasing productivity,
improving energy production and conservation,
minimizing pollution and industrial waste.
Biotechnologists also find opportunities at places
involving activities like chemical processes, genetic
engineering, textile development, cosmetic
development etc..

AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY:

Over the years, the agricultural output has been
improving, owing to the improvements in the quality of
seeds, insecticides and fertilizers.
The latest technologies like micro propagation and
tissue culture has further helped agriculturists to
overcome problems like soil imbalances, genetic
breeding and crop diseases.

AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY:

Biotechnologists - a shift from chemical fertilizers and
insecticides to biopesticides.
Biotechnology's intervention in the area of animal
husbandry has improved animal breeding.
Numerous kinds of genetically engineered, high
yielding animal breeds have come up which has
increased the output of dairy products as well as the
meat products.

ENVIRONMENT:
Environmental biotechnology - another area of
extensive work due to the dangers brought about by
increasing levels of environmental pollution.
A lot of hard work is being done to protect our
environment.
In this field, the job of a biotechnologist spans from
checking industrial air pollution levels, treatment of
industrial waste to recycling of sewage sludge.

What and where can you be?

Research & Development

Quality Control
Clinical Research
Manufacturing and Production
Regulatory Affairs
Marketing and Sales
Information Systems
Administration

Research & Development:

Laboratory Assistant
Research Associate
Research Assistant
Postdoctoral Fellow
Media Prep Technician
Greenhouse Assistant
Plant Breeder

Quality Control:
Quality Control Analyst
Quality Control Engineer
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Quality Assurance Auditor
Validation Engineer
Validation Technician

Clinical Research:
Clinical Research Administrator
Clinical Coordinator
Clinical Programmer
Biostatistician
Clinical Data Specialist
Drug Experience Coordinator
Clinical Research Associate
Animal Handler
Animal Technician
Technical Writer

Manufacturing & Production:

Product Development Engineer
Production Planner Scheduler
Manufacturing Technician
Packaging Operator
Manufacturing Research Associate
Instrument Calibration Technician
Biochemical Development Engineer
Process Development Associate
Assay Analyst
Manufacturing Engineer

Regulatory Affairs:
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Documentation Coordinator
Documentation Specialist

Information Systems:
Library Assistant
Scientific Programmer Analyst
Marketing and Sales
Market Research Analyst
Systems Analyst
Sales Representative
Customer Service Representative
Technical Services Representative

Administration:
Technical Recruiter
Human Resources Representative
Buyer
Patent Administrator
Patent Agent

What and where can you be?