Biotechnologist

Job description

Biotechnologists are scientists who study and work with micro-organisms in a variety of areas including alcohol manufacture, agricultural genome mapping and medical science.

Bioiotechnology essentially uses the basic ingredients of life to make new products; it is both a cutting-edge technology and an applied science. It is predicted that biotechnology will be one of the most important applied sciences of the 21st century.

Biotechnologists work in a laboratory setting under carefully controlled conditions to make changes to the minute systems that exist within a single cell. They generally specialise in a particular area such as product development, manufacturing and agriculture. The medical industry also implements the discipline to discover cures for diseases using their findings to help develop drugs or other treatments for pharmaceutical companies.

Work activities

• Performing chemical agent analysis by using specialist scientific processes.
• Performing appropriate quality controls and testing.
• Collecting labels and specimens.
• Writing up findings in detailed reports.

Work conditions

Travel: not normally part of the working day.
Working hours: mainly office/laboratory hours Monday–Friday.
Location: mainly in large towns or cities throughout the country.
Opportunities for self-employment: unlikely.

Typical employers

• Hospitals
• Research facilities
• Government agencies
• Private food or animal production companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Food processing plants.

Career development

Career progression beyond performing research and developing products and methods is possible. Biotechnologists may work as an investigator ensuring companies are following safety and health regulations. With experience, biotechnologists can become directors overseeing research teams and working directly with the heads of companies.

A career as an academic researcher/lecturer is also possible.

Entry requirements and training

A degree in a relevant subject is normally required for entry.

Specific degree subjects required

• Animal science
• Biochemistry
• Biological sciences
• Biomedical sciences
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Microbial sciences
• Microbiology
• Microbiology
• Molecular biology
• Organic chemistry
• Plant science.

Postgraduate study

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not a requirement. However, for more senior roles higher degrees including PhDs may be required.

Training

Continuous on-the-job training is required to stay abreast of new laboratory techniques and IT developments.

Skills and qualities

• Detail-oriented
• Curiosity, patience and decisiveness
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Systematic approach to tasks
• Excellent IT skills
• Good interpretative skills
• Good team working skills.

Further information

Labour market information

Republic of Ireland: The National Skills Bulletin (2009) reported that an increase in the demand for hybrid technologists is likely in the future as interdisciplinary activities expand in importance; ICT skills feature in most interdisciplinary convergence processes (e.g. business and IT; finance and IT; biotechnology, nanotechnology and IT).

Northern Ireland: Department of Education and Learning Labour Market Information .

Website carrying job advertisements

www.biotechnologyireland.com
biopharmaceutical.ie
lifescience.ie
scientificjobs.ie
www.sri.ie

Professional bodies

Irish BioIndustry Association
Biotechnology Ireland

Further sources of information

An Introduction to the Biotechnology Sector in Ireland
The Bioeconomy to 2030 OECD Report