Biotechnologist

Job Description:

Biotechnologists develop new products, such as vaccines and biodegradable materials, using biological knowledge.

Job Category:
Chemicals
See Chemicals jobs

What you will do:

You’ll work in environmental, industrial or medical biotechnology.

In environmental biotechnology, your duties may include:

  • developing micro-organisms and plants to clean polluted land or water
  • creating alternative renewable sources of energy, like biodiesel
  • producing environmentally friendly raw materials for industry, like biodegradable plastics from plant starches

In industrial biotechnology, your duties may include:

  • cloning and producing enzymes for use in manufacturing food and drink
  • creating biological detergents and dyes for the textiles industry
    improving animal feed
  • developing crops that are more resistant to pests
  • genetically modifying crops to increase productivity

In medical biotechnology and biotherapeutics, your duties may include:

  • studying human genetics, proteins, antibodies, viruses, plants, fungi and bacteria to research and treat diseases like cancer
  • developing therapies, vaccines and hormones to treat the cause of a disease
  • producing medicines using techniques like cell culture and genetic modification

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of biology
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own (driven)
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others (teamwork)
  • analytical thinking skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You’ll need a degree in a relevant scientific subject, like:

  • biochemistry
  • bioscience / biological science
  • biotechnology
  • chemistry or chemical engineering
  • microbiology
  • chemistry

Employers may expect you to have some knowledge of the specific area of biotechnology you want to go into, like the food and drink industry.

For a research post, you’ll usually need a postgraduate qualification and several years experience in the field.

You could start as a technician if you have an HND or foundation degree, and work your way up.

You could also move into biotechnology if you have got a background in a related field like chemical engineering.

Working Hours and Environment:

You’ll usually work 35 to 40 hours a week, including shifts, nights and weekends.

You’ll mainly work in a laboratory, often in sterile conditions.

You’ll usually wear protective clothing like a lab coat and safety glasses.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could move into scientific journalism, quality assurance management, sales or marketing.

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