Ten Unique Careers in Biotech
People often ask us: “What is biotechnology?” and “What kind of job can someone get in the biotech field?”
Biotechnology is defined as the use of biological systems to solve problems and make useful products, which can relate to anything from healthcare to food safety to forensics. Biotechnology is a diverse field with myriad career options, many of which may do not require advanced degrees. Whether or not you have a degree, a credential like the Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) can help you get your footing in a successful career.
Read on to learn about ten unique careers in biotech you might consider:
Any science for the purposes of the law is forensic science. Forensic Scientists examine and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes to develop objective findings that can assist law enforcement officials in solving crimes. Because the work of a forensic scientist is intended to be used in court and because scientific evidence can be very powerful, the forensic scientist must be accurate, methodical, detailed, and unbiased.
▶ Average Base Salary: $76,788
▶ Watch Video: Day in the Life of a Forensic Scientist
Medical device sales representatives are responsible for selling life sciences products, equipment, and services to hospitals, health systems, doctors’ offices, and clinics. Medical devices include a number of different types of equipment doctors and surgeons use in a clinical and therapeutics setting. Sales reps meet with doctors, surgeons, and administrators to land contracts, as well as follow up to keep the accounts happy and profitable.
▶ Average Base Salary: $78,160
▶ Watch Video: Day in the Life of a Medical Sales Rep
BACE Credential Earner Luke Heywood works in this field!
The use of oil-based automobile fuels has negative impacts on both the economy and the environment. Thus, scientists and engineers have worked on developing alternative fuels such as biofuels, which are fuels composed of or produced from biological raw materials. Biofuel technicians carry out the work involved in producing biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel by processing feedstock into fuel via hydrolysis, fermentation, and distillation.
▶ Average Base Salary: $59,000
▶ Watch Video: A Day in the Life of a Biofuel Technician
▶ Learn more about careers in biofuels from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Biostaticians apply mathematics and statistical methods to answer questions in medicine, public health, and biology. They may be involved in an experimental treatment to help collect, organize, and understand the numbers to inform the study results. In many cases, biostaticians help design the study to ensure the data collected is valid and complies with regulatory standards. The field of biostatistics offers the opportunity for people who enjoy problem solving and mathematics to apply these skills in a real-world setting.
▶ Average Base Salary: $102,545
▶ Read More: A Day in the Life of a Biostatician
Genetic Counselors are professionals working in healthcare who will assess individual or family risk of an inherited condition. They educate patients and professionals about genetic diseases and genetic testing options. Genetic Counselors can choose to specialize in a variety of areas, and innovative technologies continue to provide this field with new ways to analyze genetic data and help people.
▶ Average Base Salary: $95,770
▶ Read More: A Day in the Life of a Genetic Counselor
▶ Watch Video: Day in the Life – Genetic Counseling
BACE Credential Earner Allison Pacheco works in this field!
Agricultural and Food Scientist
Agricultural and Food Scientists research ways to improve farmers’ methods of caring for crops and animals, as well as preparing them for production by helping develop techniques for enhancing the sustainability, quality, and productivity of different farms and ranches. These scientists could work with animals or may also develop vaccines or cures for common diseases found in farm animals.
▶ Average Base Salary: $76,400
▶ Watch Video: Agricultural and Food Science Technician Career Video
A water resources engineer is at the forefront of managing and enhancing water systems with a focus on sustainability. They navigate the challenges linked to water resources and contribute to fortifying infrastructure against the impacts of climate change. Through close collaboration with government agencies, environmental scientists, and stakeholders, water resources engineers actively shape and implement solutions that help meet the rising demand for water while maintaining longevity and integrity.
▶ Average Base Salary: $81,350
▶ Watch Video: Day in the Life of a Water Resources Engineer
BACE Credential Earner Roberto Machorro Swain works in this field!
Pharmacologists are medical scientists working to develop new drugs, with their primary goal being to perform research to determine how medications and therapies work and interact with humans. They may work in a lab, testing medications by studying tissues and cell samples, or in clinical trials. Some pharmacologists focus on the effects of harmful chemicals, while others research the effects of chemicals on specific regions of the body.
▶ Average Base Salary: $138,399
▶ Watch Video: Occupational Video – Pharmacologist
A bioinformatics scientist’s key responsibility is to develop software applications and databases to analyze biological data. They maintain extensive records of experiments and analyses – allowing for easy review of past work to identify future research priorities. Coordinating with other scientists and professionals is a valuable skill for these scientists.
▶ Average Base Salary: $105,191
▶ Watch Video: A Day in the Life of a Bioinformatician
Data science is the practice of utilizing advanced technical skills to uncover valuable insights hidden in the vast amounts of data produced every single day. Data scientists usually are skilled in coding, mathematics, statistics, and machine learning, and their work involves using data expertise to create impact for the organizations they work for. This role is in high demand because many businesses have turned to data science and analytics to drive decision making while emphasizing automation.
▶ Average Base Salary: $125,639
▶ Read More: A Day in the Life of a Data Scientist
BACE Credential Earners Julia Bittencourt and Destiny Reyes work in this field!
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