Biotech Career

Biotechnology as Career By Gowhar Shafi [email protected] Biotech jobs The $28 billion biotechnology industry, in a broad sense, uses organisms, cells, or molecules isolated from cells to make products or solve problems. Scientific breakthroughs in the 1970s allowed companies to capitalize on biotechnology techniques to make products ranging from better pharmaceutical drugs to enzymes that stonewash jeans. Today, the industry's nearly 1,457 companies employ more than 179,000 people in research, development, manufacturing, sales and other types of jobs. The biotech industry is predicted to employ a large number of people, with hundreds of high-paying scientific and technical jobs, coming open every year. Career Opportunities The Career options related to the Biotech Industry extend to universities, medical schools and government labs. Every well-established Biotech Unit comprises of several divisions that carry out different functions. The career opportunity available with such departments consists of Research & Development Scientific Directors, Scientists, Research Associates, Research Assistants, Bioinformatics Scientist/Engineer, Bioinformatics Analyst/Programmer, Molecular Modeler, Facility Manager/Supervisor (Animal Sciences), Veterinarian, Lab Assistant, Glasswasher Operations Process Development Managers, Process Development Technician, Manufacturing Managers Manufacturing Technician, Manufacturing Instrumentation / Calibration Technician, Purchasing Agent / Buyer, Facilities Manager, Toxicologist, Environmental Engineers. Quality Quality Control (QC) Manager/Supervisor, QC Analyst, Quality Assurance Manager/Supervisor, Quality Assurance (QA) Documentation Specialist, Validation Manager. Clinical Research Clinical Research Manager, Biostatistician, Clinical Data Manager/Associate, Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs Director Finance & Administration Financial Officers, Director of Finance, Accounting Managers, Accounting Clerks, Public/Investor Relations Manager, Government Relations Manager, Human

Resources Representative, Administrative Assistant, Manager of Information Systems, Analyst/Programmer, Patent/IP Attorney Business Development Business Development Mangers, Corporate Planning Managers, Business Development Research Analysts, Product Marketing Managers, Marketing Research Analyst. Project Management Director of Project Management, Project Managers, Project Assistants. The Job Demands International Employers look for cross-disciplinary education, as Biology problems are too big to be solved by people trained in only one discipline. The aspirants need to possess science and technology basics, training in computer use and information technology, and education in biotechnology & bioethics to anticipate and present options for solving prickly social issues. Community and four-year college training in biology and related disciplines, including integrated science and technology programs that incorporate computer science, information technology chemistry, biology, engineering principles, and bioethics, are preferred. The industry's diversity and potential for growth mean exciting and rewarding career opportunities for Indian Professional, since, Indians have two great skills; a sound base in mathematics and knowledge of biosciences. The tradition of Science and Technology (S & T) in India is over 5000 years old. A renaissance was witnessed in the first half of the 20th century. The S&T infrastructure has grown up from about Rs. 10 million at the time of independence in 1947 to Rs. 30 billion. Significant achievements have been made in the areas of nuclear and space science, electronics and defense. The government is committed to making S&T an integral part of the socio-economic development of the country. India has the third largest scientific and technical manpower in the world; 162 universities award 4,000 doctorates and 35,000 post-graduate degrees and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research runs 40 research laboratories which have made some significant achievements. India has been the forerunner among the developing countries in promoting multidisciplinary activities in Biotechnology, recognizing the practically unlimited possibility of their applications in increasing agricultural and industrial production, and in improving human and animal life. Recently, the Biotechnology Consortium India Lt. was set up. It will play the role of catalyst in bridging the gap between Research and Development, Industrial and Financial Institutions. Some of the new initiatives taken include developing techniques for gene mapping, conservation of biodiversity and bioindicator research, special

biotechnology programs for the benefit of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and activities in the area of plantation crops. The areas, that are of Hot Target, are cattle herd improvement through embryo transfer technology, in vitro propagation of disease resistant plant varieties for obtaining higher yields, and development of vaccines for various diseases. In the land of people where there is enormous man power but a little thrust in imparting hands on training, a need based training program along or after a biotechnology / life science degree helps in adapting students to the needs of the biotech industry and enhances their career prospects.