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Biotechnologist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA biotechnologist has a very diverse and interesting career. They work to include the use of living organisms, both plant and animal, into the manufacturing and industrial development of products. Often the plant and animal material that the biotechnologist works with not the complete plant or animal, rather just the microorganisms that may be contained within the larger plant or animal structure.
Biotechnologist can be hired to help develop new medicines and medical treatment options, help with environmental concerns, develop new plants or animals or even enhance already existing plants and animals. Professional biotechnologists do genetic engineering of plant and animal cells and products.
Biotechnologists work in many different sectors including hospitals and research facilities, government agencies, private food or animal production companies, pharmaceutical companies or even food processing plants. They come from a background in science, engineering or a combination of several educational groups including chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, life sciences and pharmacy sciences.
A biotechnologist works in a laboratory setting under carefully controlled conditions to make changes to the minute systems that exist within a single cell.
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Career RequirementsA biotechnologist completing independent research will usually have a PhD in one of the following areas of expertise:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Plant Science
- Animal Science
- Biology
- Other Life Science Program
Some research facilities will hire Masters level biotechnologist to work under the direct supervision of a more senior staff member. They will have training in the same strands of education indicated above.
In addition the biotechnologist needs to be familiar with data processing and analyzing, research design and development, as well as all the FDA and other protocols and procedures with regards to biotechnology research.
A biotechnologist must be familiar with using all forms of measurement equipment and the highly specialized equipment for working with cells and microorganisms in a controlled laboratory environment.
The biotechnologist is also in a supervisory role in the lab and will require good interpersonal and communication skills to keep the team completing tasks on schedule and working together.
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Job OutlookThere is always a steady demand for PhD and Masters level biotechnologist. The emphasis on biotechnology in production and manufacturing has lead to a gap in the market between positions available and people to fill them. With a growing biotech marketplace this gap continues to widen provided excellent career opportunities even for those biotechnologist with little actual lab experience.
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Career TrackOnce a biotechnologist has completed their education they usually work as a team member for at least a year under the supervision of a PhD level biotechnologist. This allows the individual to learn correct lab procedures as well as understand the complex requirements of the job.
Once the year has been completed PhD level biotechnologist are often hired as independent researchers and become supervisors over their own research projects. There is room for the biotechnologist to advance through to upper management in most research facilities and private companies.
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CompensationThe income for most of the various specialty areas that biotechnologists work in is between $50,000 and $80.000. About 10% of the biotechnologist in the workforce earn above $110,000 per year, according the United States Department of Labor.
Those biotechnologists in supervisory roles or working in highly controlled settings earned higher wages than those biotechnologists working with a Masters degree. The biotechnologist working with genetics and microbiology earned the highest average salaries at approximately $82,000 to $93,000 per year.
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