Biotechnologist

Biotechnologists exploit and harness the potential of micro-organisms and living systems for the benefit of mankind. This can include using micro-organisms in the production of alcoholic drinks, bread, cheese and yoghurt, developing new medicines and treatment for illness and disease, finding new ways to design and use antibiotics and pesticides, using genetic modification and genome mapping to improve crop production or crop resistance to pests and diseases, and combating environmental pollution by developing the use of biosensors for early detection of pollutants.

The work involves designing and conducting experiments or making observations and analysing data, supervising the work of support staff, writing up work in reports and scientific papers and presenting work at scientific meetings or conferences.

Entry level
Most biotechnologists are graduates. You could take any of a range of degrees, including biotechnology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, biology and chemistry. In some cases, a postgraduate qualification is also required. Increasingly, you would need relevant work experience before applying for your first job, perhaps through an industrial placement as part of your course.

Entry to a degree course generally requires a minimum of three A levels/three or four H grades, including chemistry and preferably biology, or equivalent qualifications.

It is also possible to work in biotechnology as a technician. Entry to technician posts is usually with at least four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including science, maths and English, or equivalent qualifications.

Making the grade
All biotechnologists get continuing on-the-job training to learn new laboratory techniques and IT developments, to keep up to date in their specialist area and to keep abreast of health and safety regulations. They also receive training for personal development, management or supervisory responsibilities.

Many biotechnologists study for examinations for membership or fellowship of a professional body.

Many scientists take on supervisory and management responsibilities as their careers progress, with some moving away from practical science altogether. In industry, you might become involved in the more commercial aspects of company work. You may need to relocate in order to develop your career.

Personal qualities
As a biotechnologist, you should have an enquiring mind and be able to think clearly and logically. You should be good at problem solving, with a methodical approach to your work and great attention to detail.

You must have excellent communication skills, and you must understand statistics, modelling, complex data analysis and computer packages.

Looking ahead
Biotechnologists work in research and development in universities, industry, government laboratories and charity research institutions. The demand for biotechnologists is increasing and career prospects are good.

Opportunities in the chemical and allied industries could include chemicals, metals and materials, plastics and polymer manufacturers, petrochemical, cosmetic and toiletries companies. The pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries employ biotechnologists to discover and develop new drugs, and to improve agricultural productivity. The food and drink industry employs biotechnologists in the development of new products and processes for the manufacture of food and food preservation. Government establishments and agencies also employ biotechnologists, mainly in research.

The biotechnology sector is made up mainly of small and medium-sized companies, which exploit, manipulate and develop living systems to solve a wide range of medical, industrial and environmental problems.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include biochemist, biologist, clinical biochemist, food scientist/technologist, microbiologist, pharmacist or pharmacologist.

Take-home pay
Graduate biotechnologists starting their first jobs are likely to be paid between £18,000 and £22,000 a year. Established biotechnologists are likely to receive between £30,000 and £40,000 a year. Established biotechnologists with postgraduate qualifications could earn over £45,000 a year

Effects
Biotechnologists usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Evening and weekend work may be required, and on-call work for those working in industry.

The work can involve sitting or standing at a bench, desk or piece of equipment for long periods. Most biotechnologists wear some form of protective clothing, either to protect themselves or to prevent contamination of samples or equipment.

Sources of information
BIO-WISE: www.biowise.org.uk
Bioindustry Association: www.bioindustry.org
Biosciences Federation: www.bsf.ac.uk
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: www.abpi.org.uk
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management: www.ciwem.org.uk
Genetics Society: www.genetics.org.uk
Institute of Biology: www.iob.org
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management: www.ieem.org.uk
Institute of Food Science and Technology: www.ifst.org
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain: www.rpsgb.org.uk
Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance: www.semta.org.uk
Society for Applied Microbiology: www.sfam.org.uk
Society for General Microbiology: www.biocareers.org.uk
Wellcome Trust: www.wellcome.ac.uk

CRCI: TD