So You Want to Work in Biotechnology… By Dallas Duncan and Dr. Frank B. Flanders June 2010.

So You Want to Work in So You Want to Work in Biotechnology…Biotechnology…

By Dallas Duncan

and Dr. Frank B. Flanders

June 2010

Working in a LabWorking in a Lab

• Laboratory Technicians• Biotechnology Research Associate• Biotechnology Research Scientist• Clinical Research Associate

Working in a Lab:Working in a Lab:

Laboratory TechnicianLaboratory Technician• Duties:

– Help scientists gather information, materials, and samples

– Set up apparatuses, perform calculations, and draw graphs and charts

– Perform experiments and record all data

– Responsible for cleaning materials used during experiments

• Education: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree

• Average Salary: $16 per hour


Biotechnology Research Associates Biotechnology Research Associates and Scientistsand Scientists

• Duties:– Responsible for research and

development projects in collaboration with others

– Makes observations, analyses, and presentations of data

– Investigates new methods and discoveries

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s

• Average Salary: $42,000 per year


Clinical Research AssociateClinical Research Associate• Duties:

– Monitor clinical trials– Makes on-site visits and

reviews cases– Communicate with

clinical research investigators

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher


Working in Life SciencesWorking in Life Sciences• Cell Biologist• Chemical Technician• Chemist• Genetics Engineer• Microbiologist• Molecular Biologist• Research Biologist

Working in Life Sciences:Working in Life Sciences:

Cell BiologistCell Biologist• Duties:

– Study the physiological properties, structure, organelles, environment, and life cycle of cells

– Learn about single- and multi-celled organisms


• Average Salary: Between $35,000 and $70,000 per year

Working in Life Sciences:

Chemical Technician• Duties:

– Assist chemists and chemical engineers specific to one area

– Conduct laboratory procedures and analyze data

– Help perform tests on new products or methods

• Education: High school plus two years of training

• Average Salary: $18.35 per hour


ChemistChemist• Duties:

– Study composition of matter and its properties

– Measure substance proportions, reaction rates, and other chemical properties

– Many sub-disciplines related to specific areas of chemistry




Genetics EngineerGenetics Engineer• Duties:

– Study the manipulation of genes used in cloning and transformation

– Create new agricultural products and medical procedures

• Education: Doctoral degree



MicrobiologistMicrobiologist• Duties:

– Study bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protists and how these organisms interact with and affect humans and the environment

– Many different sub-disciplines




Molecular BiologistMolecular Biologist• Duties:

– Study the genetics and physiology of microorganisms in relation to human, plant, and animal health

– Research how microorganisms can be used in medicine and food production

• Education: Master’s degree or higher



Research BiologistResearch Biologist• Duties:

– Conduct experiments and analyze data about living organisms

– Many different fields, including environmental protection and medicine



Working in AgricultureWorking in Agriculture• Genetically Modified

Food Specialist• Laboratory Animal

Caretakers• Veterinarian• Veterinary

Technician• Veterinary

Technologist

Working in Agriculture:Working in Agriculture:

Genetically Modified Food SpecialistGenetically Modified Food Specialist• Duties:

– Research new foods and products created using GMO technology

– Determine the health and environmental effects of GMO technology

• Education and salary will differ depending on the job and the company because this field of research is still very new


Laboratory Animal CaretakerLaboratory Animal Caretaker• Duties:

– Feed, water, and examine animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury

– Clean and disinfect cages and surgical equipment

– Assist veterinary technicians in post-operative care and sample preparation

• Education: High school• Salary: $9.98 per hour


VeterinarianVeterinarian• Duties:

– Practice medicine and surgery on small, large, and exotic animals

– Research in pharmaceuticals and epidemiology to study diseases and how new products affect animals

• Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

• Average Salary: $70,000 to $91,000 per year


Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician and TechnologistTechnologist

• Duties:– Perform laboratory tests– Assist veterinarian in

performing surgery and other medical procedures

– Similar to what a nurse does for a doctor

– Technologist can work in research-related fields

• Education: Associate’s degree for technician, Bachelor’s degree for technologist


Working in the Medical FieldWorking in the Medical Field• Epidemiologist• Medical Scientist• Medical Writer• Pharmaceutical

Project Manager

Working in the Medical Field:Working in the Medical Field:

EpidemiologistEpidemiologist• Duties:

– Study the frequency and distribution of diseases in human populations and environments

– Perform research, education, and public health practices

– Recommend public health policy




Medical ScientistMedical Scientist• Duties:

– Research to advance knowledge of life processes and infectious agents

– Work in clinical investigation, writing, and peer review of research

• Education: Doctoral degree• Average Salary: $72,590

per year


Medical WriterMedical Writer• Duties:

– Produce scientific documentation of studies and research done by doctors and scientists

• Education: Bachelor’s degree



Pharmaceutical Project ManagerPharmaceutical Project Manager• Duties:

– Oversee development efforts for new drugs

– Coordinate and monitor clinical trials of new medicine



Working in Biomedical Working in Biomedical EngineeringEngineering

• Prosthetist• Clinical Engineer• Information

Technologist• Systems Engineer• Robotics Engineer

Working in Biomedical Engineering:Working in Biomedical Engineering:

ProsthetistProsthetist• Duties:

– Measures, designs, fits, and services a prosthesis

– Invents prostheses for the lower and upper body limbs




Clinical EngineerClinical Engineer• Duties:

– Support and advance patient care with innovative engineering and managerial methods

– Work in product development to ensure patient safety

• Education: Doctoral degree• Average Salary: $46,741 to

$75,802 per year


Information TechnologistInformation Technologist• Duties:

– Study, design, develop, implement and manage technology used to share and store information

– Similar to programs in some computer science and information systems professions


• Salaries: $43,450 per year


Systems EngineerSystems Engineer• Duties:

– Study logistics, coordination, and automated processes to handle projects

– Overlaps with control engineering and project management careers

• Education: Doctoral degree

• Salary: $49,520 to $78,362 per year


Robotics EngineerRobotics Engineer• Duties:

– Research and design robots– Work with electronics,

mechanics, and software– Study innovative uses of

robotics in fields such as medicine and manufacturing


• Salary: $50,000 to $60,000 per year

Working…Anywhere!Working…Anywhere!• Biostatistician• Process Technician• Quality Control

Analyst• Software Engineer

Working…Anywhere:Working…Anywhere:

BiostatisticianBiostatistician• Duties:

– Apply statistics to biological experiments

– Collect, summarize, analyze and interpret data from experiments




Process TechnicianProcess Technician• Duties:

– Perform and document daily manufacturing operations in biomedical, biopharmaceutical, and bioindustrial settings

– Work with software and production methods in a sterile environment

• Education: Associate’s degree or higher



Quality Control AnalystQuality Control Analyst• Duties:

– Monitor and audit quality standards for foods, textiles, clothing, electronics and other manufactured products

– Work at every stage of production

• Education: High school

• Average Salary: $15.02 per hour


Software EngineerSoftware Engineer

• Duties:– Creates designs

implemented by software programmers



So You Want to Work in Biotechnology… By Dallas Duncan and Dr. Frank B. Flanders June 2010.

Documents

Transcript of So You Want to Work in Biotechnology… By Dallas Duncan and Dr. Frank B. Flanders June 2010.