The biotechnology industry combines pure biological sciences with processing, engineering, and technological skills – hence the name ‘biotechnology’. Scientists in the biotech sector often use genetically altered microorganisms to produce antibiotics and other synthetic compounds.
Biotechnology careers can be quite niche, utilising a wide variety of biological systems and living organisms. Common areas of focus for biotech jobs include genetic/genome sequencing, cell and tissue culturing, and bioprocess engineering.
Employees in biotechnology jobs can manufacture existing medicines in a cheaper and easier manner than some pharmaceutical companies, and due to recent advances in gene therapies, biotech jobs will be responsible for the breakthrough of many new drug advancements in the future.
There are a few key skills you’ll need to work in the biotech industry; a thorough knowledge of biology is essential, along with an eye for detail, communication skills, analytical thinking, mathematics, and chemistry.
How is biotech different to pharma?
The biotechnology industry is distinct from the pharmaceutical industry because biotech companies produce larger and more diverse biological molecules such as recombinant proteins, antibodies, antigens, vaccines, enzymes and DNA-based molecules. They will typically address targets that a small-molecule pharmaceutical company cannot.
What are the benefits of having a biotechnology job?
There are a wide number of benefits that come with working in the biotechnology industry. Many of those who work in biotech report that they feel like they’re making a difference with their daily work, which is invaluable. Biotechnology jobs have lucrative salaries (depending on experience and other factors), and there are many opportunities for advancement within the biotech industry.
What is biotechnology?
In simple terms, biotechnology is the practice of pursuing technological advancements through the study of biology.
Depending on what field a biotechnologist works in, they might specialise in areas such as gene therapy, molecular biology, etc.
Biotechnology is not a new discipline; in fact, we have been using the biological processes of microorganisms to develop and preserve food products for over 6,000 years!
More recently, biotechnological advances have enabled us to…
Fight devastating and uncommon diseases
Decrease and clean up our energy use
Reduce our environmental impact
Create more effective industrial manufacturing processes
Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS) is an experienced recruitment company specialising in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. We work with a number of contract research and contract manufacturing organisations, so if you’re looking for a biotechnology job, please get in touch to find out how we can help you.