Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms or cell processes to make useful products. Biotechnological research, including studies of human genes, continues to offer possibilities for the development of new drugs and products to combat diseases that are unresponsive to conventional treatments. An aging population is contributing to the need for new drugs.
Chemists in biotechnology generally work in a laboratory atmosphere not unlike an academic environment. The laboratory may be involved in five to ten projects, and the scientists have varying degrees of responsibility for each project. Teamwork is a vital part of the biotechnology industry, and it is unusual to work alone.
Entry level biotech researchers:
- Are responsible for research and development in collaboration with others
- Make detailed observations
- Analyze and interpret results
- Prepare technical reports, summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses
- Stay up to date with current scientific literature
- May also be responsible for identifying patentable inventions and acting as principal investigator in conducting experiments
- May participate in scientific conferences and contribute to scientific journals.
Licensing
- No special licensing is required
Personal qualifications
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High ethical standards
- Experience either in academic laboratories or through internships is desirable
- Ability to work on a team
- Attention to detail and careful record keeping
- Analytical skills
Employment opportunities
Employment of chemists is expected to grow zero to eight per cent through 2014. Job growth is expected to be concentrated in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree will have opportunities at smaller research organizations; those with a master’s degree, and particularly those with a Ph.D., will enjoy better opportunities at larger pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms.
Salary
The median salary of new chemists with a BS degree in 2005 was $35,000. New chemists with a master’s degree earned a median salary of $45,000; those with a PhD had median earnings of $72,400. (Source: American Chemical Society “Chem Census 2005”)
Progression
Individuals with a strong scientific background and several years of experience may advance to managerial positions or become independent consultants. A doctorate in chemistry opens up additional career opportunities in academia and research.
Getting there: Your degree program at MCPHS
- BS in Chemistry/MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Boston): an accelerated 5-year program that combines an undergraduate BS curriculum with a specialized master’s degree; advanced courses focus on pharmaceutical and advanced organic chemistry and include electives in medicinal chemistry and drug development
As part of the masters degree, a year-long research project followed by a semester-long industry internship provide ideal preparation for and connections to the biotech job market.