Post on 09-Dec-2015
description
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 andcommercialization 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 inbiotechnology 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, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and arthritis.
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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?