Career as a Biotechnology Researcher 2023

Share

Remember the lockdown days when we all prayed for a vaccine to make our lives back to normal. The entire world had hope from one group of people to come up with a solution- Biotechnology Researchers. 

These were the individuals who day and night to come up with vaccines that would help us fight a virus that brought life to a standstill. Want to be a researcher who can create such miracles?

source

Consider becoming a Biotechnology Researcher. In this blog, we will discuss a career as a Biotechnology Researcher, career pathway, job roles, salary, and qualifications required.  

What does a Biotechnology Researcher do?

Most of the time, biotechnology researchers are in labs. Some are in charge of generating vaccines or testing new treatments, while others research the environment. 

Typically, they collaborate closely with other researchers and take part in team meetings. Their regular tasks are determined by their line of work and profession. For instance, the duties of a biotechnologist working in the pharmaceutical industry differ from those of an agro-biotechnologist.

The nature of the job will demand the following duties in your career as a Biotechnology Researcher:

  • Create industry-leading controlled trials that follow project guidelines and financial restrictions.
  • Safely carry out subject testing while preserving the privacy of all personal data.
  • Create useful datasets, and then store and organize metrics in our database.
  • Use of specialist software.
  • Analyze, interpret, and translate findings into practical, actionable conclusions, offering the support necessary for publishing for the publication of formal journal articles.
  • Make sure the building and its equipment are managed, kept up, and functional.
  • Ensure that all processes and procedures are carried out in a way that is compliant, moral, and thorough.
  • Recording and reporting their findings.
  • Researching research on live things like cells and bacteria.
  • Animal or plant hybridization.
  • Carrying out standard laboratory techniques, such as PCR testing.

Job Roles for a Biotechnology Researcher

A biotechnology researcher makes a substantial contribution to the evolution of life. A specialist in scientific research with advanced training in biotechnology, biomedical engineering, biology, biochemistry, or other related subjects is known as a “biotechnology researcher.”

Here are a few of the roles you can take up in your career as a Biotechnology Researcher:

source
  • Marine and aquatic biotechnology researcher
    Marine biotechnologists employ marine resources to create new technologies for everything from cosmetics to medical treatments. Pharmaceutical research and development is another activity carried out by marine biotechnologists to create novel therapies utilizing marine life.
  • Agricultural biotechnology researcher
    A specialist who works to enhance the quality of seeds, crops, genetically modified crops, crops that are more resistant to diseases, microorganisms, and pests, etc. is known as an agriculture biotechnologist. You will apply biotechnology expertise to agricultural crops as an agrarian biotechnologist.
  • Biological Technician
    A biological technician’s primary responsibility is to assist and support environmental and conservation scientists as they conduct lab research on the life cycles of species.
  • Biomanufacturing Specialist
    Agricultural scientists are experts at examining farming practices and food production techniques to increase crop productivity and safety. An agricultural scientist conducts research to find novel and creative ways to raise the standard of food produced and supplied.
  • R&D Scientist
    Research scientists operate in various subjects, such as medicine, political science, computer science, and environmental science, and they conduct experiments and trials in laboratories. They plan and conduct experiments that become topics of research articles and reports.

Career path for a Biotechnology Researcher 

Research in biotechnology is driven by people’s desire to solve both new and old issues. Candidates with this kind of skill set and the will to create solutions that make human existence simpler than it is now should believe us when we say that this is the perfect field for them.

Here’s the path that one can adopt in a career as a biotechnology researcher:

  • Minimum of 55% in Grade 12 in Science stream.
  • Bachelors in Biological engineering/ Research/ Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology/Biological Sciences and Bioengineering
  • Masters in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology/ Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Research/ Food Science and Biotechnology/ Industrial Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical Biotechnology/Bio-Business 

One can go ahead in their career as a biotechnology researcher by enrolling on internship research opportunities or assistance. A good option is to go for a doctoral program and contribute to research. 

Salary in different stages of a career as a Biotechnology Researcher 

Increasing demand for life sciences real estate frequently correlates with job growth for lab technicians and researchers, according to a report from the commercial real estate firm CBRE. This makes rational sense because biotech companies expand and create additional facilities, which require more staff to staff.

Here’s a table with information about salaries in different stages of a career as a Biotechnology Researcher:

Experience levelEntry levelMid-levelExpert level
Avg. Salary p.a.4.5 LPA6.8 LPA10.1 LPA

Skills Required to become a Biotechnology Researcher 

Source

Below is a list of 8 skills that one should have in order to pursue a career as a Biotechnology Researcher:

  • Understanding of research methods
    A biotechnologist’s single invention has the potential to significantly alter civilization. Making things out of living organisms and biological systems is called biotechnology. Therefore, the most important technical skill in biotechnology is your capacity for research, which enables you to advance in the field quickly.
  • Communication skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Analytical abilities
    A biotechnologist’s single invention has the potential to significantly alter civilization. Making things out of living organisms and biological systems is called biotechnology. Therefore, the most important technical skill in biotechnology is your capacity for research, which enables you to advance in the field quickly.
  • Knowledge of research equipment
    A part of your responsibility in career as a Biotechnology Researcher is to use various equipments and manage them. Thus you should have good knowledge of the equipment. 
  • Attention to detail
    Innovation can come at any moment and this requires attention to details.
  • Advanced knowledge of biotechnology concepts
    Tissue culture, western blot, molecular cloning, etc are concepts and techniques you should be able to master. 
  • Problem-solving abilities
    There will surely be pressure from the entire team on you as the primary R&D researcher on a project with an anticipated profit to provide a faultless product.

Is Biotechnology Researcher a good career option?

A graduate degree in biotechnology is clearly advantageous at the moment, as seen by the industry’s ongoing job growth. There is a rising demand for qualified people who are eager to be at the forefront of new developments in biotechnology and have the creativity and drive to commercialise new innovations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2021 to 2031, the employment of biological technologists is expected to expand by 9%, faster than the average for all occupations.

Over the next ten years, there are expected to be 12,200 new job openings for biological technologists. Many of those positions are anticipated to be brought on by the need to replace workers who change careers or leave the workforce due to retirement.

Type of industries Hiring a Biotechnology Researcher

The field of biotechnology enables individuals to work for a range of organisations, including government agencies, private firms, regulatory authorities, or clinical laboratories. This is due to its numerous uses in many industries. 

Employers in the biotechnology industry come in different shapes and sizes, from small start-ups to major pharmaceutical companies to publicly financed groups. Here’s a list of industries you can work in your career as a biotechnology researcher:

  • Government Agencies
  • Food Industry
  • Healthcare 
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Animal husbandry
  • Genetic engineering
  • Environmental conservation
  • Soil biology Ecology
  • Textile industry Cosmetics
  • Research & Development

Top Recruiters for Biotechnology Researchers in India 

Biotechnologists may work as forensic science technicians, food technologists, or research associates, depending on their educational background and professional interests. Large pharmaceutical firms, environmental protection agencies, and academic institutions all employ biotechnologists.

Here are a few recruiters you might come across in your career as a Biotechnology Researcher:

  • Serum Institute Of India
  • Indian Immunologiocals
  • GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
  • Panacea Biotech Ltd.
  • Novozymes South Asia
  • Shantha Biotech
  • Wockhardt Ltd.
  • Biocon Ltd.
  • Novo Nordisk
  • SIRO Clinpharm

Courses to upskill as Biotechnology Researcher 

source

One can apply for certificate courses during or after graduation. These courses are on selected topics and help in providing specific area of interests:

  • Bacterial Genomes II: Accessing and Analysing Microbial Genome Data Using Artemis
  • BioMEMS and Microsystems
  • Applications of interactomics using Genomics and proteomics technologies
  • Experimental Biochemistry
  • Biotechnology: Antibodies & their role in Therapeutics
  • Certificate in Biotechnology
  • Certificate in Industrial Biotechnology
  • Bacterial Genomes I: From DNA to Protein Function Using Bioinformatics
  • Applications of Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology: GENE EDITING TECHNIQUES CRISPR, ZINC FINGER
  • Algae Biotechnology
  • Systems Biology and Biotechnology Specialization
  • Genes and the Human Condition (From Behavior to Biotechnology)
  • Patenting in Biotechnology

Qualifications to become a Biotechnology Researcher

A solid foundation in chemistry, biology, molecular science, and other relevant disciplines is necessary for biotech research. You will require a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, biotechnology, or a related field.

While a PhD is not required to conduct research, many companies will assume you do. Higher education may open up opportunities for scientists to work in academia and enhance their careers.

Degrees in India 

You need a bachelor’s degree to work as an entry-level biotechnology researcher (such as a junior-level research associate or a lab technologist).

Candidates for research positions are given precedence if they have credentials from National Level entrance exams such ARS NET, JRF, GATE, CSIR NET, ICMR, and DBT NET.

UG 

The details of eligibility criteria and top colleges are elaborated in the blog- How to become a Biotechnology Researcher. These courses are for an estimated 3-4 years.  To start your career as a Biotechnology Researcher, you can pursue the following undergraduate degrees:

  • BTech in Biological engineering
  • B.Tech Biotechnology
  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Research)
  • Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology
  • B.Tech Biological Sciences and Bioengineering

PG 

The postgraduation courses require a minimum of 55% in Grade 12 in an undergraduate program. One will have to qualify for the entrance exams and the interview round for further selection. A few of the postgraduate courses you can try to upskill your career as a Biotechnology researcher are:

Name of the courseDuration
MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology1 year
MSc in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Research1 year
MSc in Food Science and Biotechnology 16 months
MSc in Industrial Biotechnology 1 year
MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 1 year
MSc in Bio- Business 1 year

Degrees Abroad

The eligibility criteria and colleges one can apply to are discussed in the previous blog in detail. For a career as a Biotechnology Researcher, one will have to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, Cell biology, biotechnology, or a related field. 

The eligibility criteria to apply for a postgraduate degree abroad in biotechnology are:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology or other sciences with specialization in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or Molecular Genetics.
  • Minimum of 55% or equivalent grade point average in bachelor. 
  • Language proficiency test scores
  • SOP, LOR, and Application Essay/Questionnaire. 

    Want to increase your chances of getting admission abroad? Check out the Clever Harvey JuniorMBA Technology Course to add a real industry project to your student portfolio. 

A few of the postgraduate courses abroad you can try to upskill your career as a Biotechnology researcher are:

Name of the courseDuration
Master in Biotechnology – Industrial Pharmacy2 years
MBA & Engineering in Life Science Management2 years
MSc in Biomolecular Sciences2 years
MSc Molecular Biology & Biotechnology2 years
Master Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology2 years
Master of Science in Bio-Inspired Innovation2 years

References for Biotechnology Researchers 

  • The Billion-Dollar Molecule by Barry Werth
  • Basic Biotechnology by Colin Ratledge, Kristiansen
  • Biotechnology in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals By Debasis Bagchi, Francis C. Lau, Dilip K. Ghosh
  • Current Applications of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology by Ana Catarina Silva
  • Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering Synthetic Biology, Cell Engineering and Bioprocessing Technologies by Sudhir Singh
  • The Annotated and Illustrated Double Helix by Alexander Gann, James Watson, and Jan Anthony Witkowski
  • Recent Trends in Life Sciences edited by R K Kale, M. H. Fulekar 
  • Advances in Animal Biotechnology by Sanjeev K. Gautam, Birbal Singh, Manishi Mukesh, Gorakh Mal
  • Microbe Hunters: The Classic Book on the Major Discoveries of the Microscopic World by Paul de Kruif
  • Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Food and Beverages Industry edited by M. Angeles Sanroman, C.R. Soccol, Ashok Pandey, Guocheng Du, Claude-Gilles Dussap

If you’ve read this far into the blog, it can only indicate that you admire biotechnology researchers and may someday choose to pursue a career in this field. A few biotechnology-related Instagram accounts are also included here as a bonus. Have fun exploring more after checking them out!

source

  • @microbiologynotes
  • @world_of_biotechnologist
  • @biotech_verse
  • @crisprclassroom
  • @future_biotechnology
  • @biotech.bae
  • @biotechnologyguy
  • @thebiomics
  • @thebiotechguy

Despite being difficult, the path to becoming a biotechnology researcher can be quite rewarding. Think about how the efforts of biotechnology experts prevented the COVID pandemic from destroying the globe. This guide should help you take the essential actions to train as a biotechnology researcher. Keep learning and enjoy your research!

FAQ Section for Career as a Biotechnology Researcher 

Recent Blogs

How to become a content writer

How to become a Content Writer – A Complete Guide

Embarking on a journey as a content writer requires passion, persistence, and continuous learning. With the increasing digitalization of businesses, the demand for skilled content writers is on the rise. Dive in, keep writing, and you’ll carve your niche in no time!

Read More
How to become a marine biologist

How to become a Marine Biologist in 2023- Dream Job Guide

Delve deep into the mysteries of the oceans and uncover the secrets of its inhabitants. If the world beneath the waves intrigues you, a career as a marine biologist awaits. Discover the path to explore and study marine organisms and their fascinating world.

Read More
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Introducing Clever Harvey College Catapult - Get in to your Dream College. Guaranteed.
Introducing Clever Harvey College Catapult - Get in to your Dream College.