Biotechnologist Job Description
Biotechnology is a broad field, of which many other related disciplines, such as biochemistry, may be considered a part. Biotechnologists strive to understand the workings of biological organisms, from the genes at the molecular level and the processes occurring at the cellular level, all the way up to entire organisms and how they perform their functions.
As they gain understanding, biotechnologists are also tasked with putting this information to use in ways that can enhance the lives of people, which can include making hardier crops, developing better biofuels, or creating new medicines or treatment plans to fight disease. With such a wide range of possible goals, biotechnologists can find themselves working in a number of fields, but almost all positions will be highly focused on performing research in laboratory settings. Biotechnologists working for universities or government agencies are likely to publish their research and may need to seek out funding in order to perform necessary experiments, while those working for commercial industries may work on products sold by their employers.
Biotechnology Job Duties
Job duties for those in biotechnology careers can vary significantly by the job as well. In a general sense, though, these professionals perform duties like:
- Synthesizing chemicals in a lab
- Conduct research and submit it to industry
- Assessing the effects of chemicals in everyday life
- Overseeing complex projects
- Maintaining lab equipment
- Produce reports on project development
Required Education for Biotechnology Careers
Because of the variety of fields encompassed by the label biotechnology, there are several degrees that can potentially lead to a career as a biotechnologist. Like most other scientists, a PhD is usually required to perform research, although those with bachelor's or master's degrees may be able to find jobs assisting biotechnologists in their work.
Undergraduate Studies in Biotechnology
Depending on the area of biotechnology they wish to specialize in, students might want to consider an undergraduate major in areas such as:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Agricultural sciences
- Biomedical science
Dedicated biotechnology majors do exist at some universities, although even these are often broken down into more specific areas of study, such as plant-based biotechnology or microbial biotechnology. All students hoping to become biotechnologists will need a strong education in life sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics.
Graduate Studies in Biotechnology
PhD programs in biotechnology are often considered interdisciplinary or will specifically be medical biotechnology, and so more general programs can be somewhat difficult to find as a result. Those wishing to pursue a career as a biotechnologist could also consider programs in biochemistry or molecular biology, bioinformatics, or genetics, as the knowledge gained in these programs are still highly relevant to the field. Medical biotechnologists can also consider pursuing an MD at the same time, allowing them to become a scientist-physician with a focus in biotechnology.
Biotechnology Career Options
Biotechnologist jobs rarely use the general title; instead, positions are usually referred to by what particular area they may be working in, such as biochemist or biophysicist. Biochemists and molecular biologists focus on cell mechanisms and genetics, looking for ways in which this information could be applied to society's benefit. Biophysicists look at the physical processes, such as the creation of proteins, to better understand how they work and ways we might be able to use them to produce substances we need. Agricultural scientists study plants in food crops, seeking to maximize harvests and enhance plants' ability to survive, which may include genetic engineering. Biomedical scientists look for substances that can help to fight disease. Lastly, bioinformaticians are a special type of scientist who study the data produced by these other scientists, in search of significant trends or correlations that emerge over the course of experiments.
Biotechnologist Salary and Employment Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, biochemists and biophysicists had a median annual salary of $93,280 in 2018. Employment of biochemists and biophysicists over the next 10 years is expected to grow by 6%, just slightly faster than average, with much of the growth driven by a need for new medicines and alternative fuel sources. Agricultural and food scientists had a median annual salary of $64,020, although those with higher-level degrees are likely to be paid better. Agricultural and food scientists were expected to see growth of 7% over the same time frame. Medical scientists had a median annual salary in 2018 of $84,810, with a projected growth of 8% from 2018 to 2028.