Career options in biotechnology | 9 best ones!

Career options in Biotechnology: An overview

Imagine studying about different kinds of organisms and their chemical processes, interesting right?! Now, imagine using these processes to make products that solve the complex problems we’re facing. That’s biotechnology! Most of us imagine that biotechnologists wear white courts and work in labs or clinics. But these are not the only career options in biotechnology. 

While some of these careers involve studying human DNA, others are for students interested in studying viruses…or making laws to help spread a pandemic! Let’s look at a few of the highest-paying career options in biotechnology one by one.

Top 9 career options in Biotechnology

#9 | Biochemist

The job of a biochemist is to study the chemical processes in living things, like cell development, DNA, and mutation. For this, they need to conduct research that helps them isolate and analyze these chemicals. They also study the effects of drugs, hormones, nutrients, and other elements on the body.

Median salary – $81,480 to $91,190

Their research creates breakthroughs in the medical industry and can be used to develop better medicines and procedures that will improve our health. Since the work of biochemists is highly confidential, you will mostly find them working in private labs…or for the government. How cool is that!?

#8 | Biomedical engineer

Biomedical engineers design equipment like artificial organs, prosthetics, and diagnostic machines. Their inventions help improve the way we take care of patients and solve problems in biology and medicine.

Median salary – $86,220 to $88,040 

For this, you should have a strong background in engineering, biology, chemistry, and software. Because you will not only be designing medical equipment. Your job will also involve working on computer systems and software used in the healthcare industry.

#7 | Medical scientist

Being a Medical scientist involves researching the cause of a disease and looking for ways to improve it. Unlike epidemiology, medical science requires a person to develop and test medical devices in the clinic and involves no fieldwork.

Median salary – $76,980 to $82,240

Apart from preparing medical samples to help curb a disease, these scientists also help standardize drug potency, doses, and methods of manufacturing and distributing the drugs they create in the lab. Consequently, the contributions of Medical scientists help improve overall human health.

#6 | Genetic counselor

As a genetic counselor, you will be in charge of assessing the different gene strands of your patients and their families. The results of your work will help them understand the risks of them contracting particular diseases and disorders so that they can avoid these issues.

Median salary – $72,090

This means that you’ll be working in hospitals, laboratories, or clinics. You will also learn how to analyze genetic data through different mediums. This requires you to be an expert in biotechnology, biochemistry, and pharmacology.

#5 | Agricultural & food scientist

An agricultural scientist ensures that the crops and animals meet all safety standards before ending up in the food manufacturing industry. On the other hand, a food scientist looks after the quality of the food that the industry produces and makes sure its additives and taste comply with the industry-standard requirements.

Median salary – $61,480 to $71,730

To be able to do this, agricultural and food scientists have to perform qualitative and quantitative tests and report any breaches to the respective governing body. Consequently, thorough knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and food technology is a must for this job.

#4 | Microbiologist

The job title says it all – a Microbiologist studies the biology behind micro-organisms such as bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, etc. Understanding how these organisms work helps them create biomedical and industrial products that can diagnose and treat infectious diseases.

Median salary – $66,260 to $69,960

Consequently, a lot of their work takes place in pristine laboratories, where they isolate microorganisms, study how they live, grow and interact with their environments, and conduct complex experiments to use their observations for diagnosing and treating human ailments.

#3 | Epidemiologists

An epidemiologist investigates diseases, finds out how they are being transmitted, and comes up with solutions to cure them. This involves doing some fieldwork – conducting interviews and collecting samples – and noticing the pattern behind how a disease is spreading.

Median salary – $65,270 to $69,450

As a result, epidemiologists are public health professionals who not only help find a cause behind a disease but also design healthcare planning strategies, oversee public health programs, educate the community, and contribute to health policy. In short, this is a super-important job that will require you to be skilled in medicine, research, analytics, and communication.

#2 | Zoologist

Zoologists study all kinds of animals, ranging from the smallest of microorganisms to, well, the killer whale. This involves looking at their characteristics, behaviors, and learning how these creatures interact with their ecosystems.

Median salary – $59,680

While some Zoologists work in the field to collect data samples, others are in the lab, studying these collections and conducting experiments on them. The results of their work not only help us cure diseases but also inspires the field of biomimetics – using elements of nature to solve complex human problems.

#1 | Bio-technician

The job of a biological technician (or a clinical technician) is to conduct laboratory tests that analyze different biological organisms and their processes. This involves helping medical scientists collect different biological samples, designing and conducting tests, and analyzing the results.

Median salary – $39,750 to $51,770

Not only do bio technicians look at body fluids, tissues, and bacteria culture, but they also create models of the results of their analysis. To be able to understand this micro-world, these biology enthusiasts need to be experts at using lab instruments, advanced robotics, specialized computer software, and automated equipment.

Conclusion

If you found any of these career options in biotechnology interesting, find out what qualifications these jobs require.

While most of them need you to have a master’s degree in the relevant field, some will also require a Ph.D. Once you know what you need to study, find a course in biotechnology that fits you perfectly.

Let me know what you find out in the comment section and feel free to reach out in case you need any help!

Until then, Ciao!