Careers in biotechnology
About the industry
Biotechnology is a global industry and has been in a rapid growth phase over the past decade, with 70% of respondents to AusBiotech’s 2016 Biotechnology Industry Position Survey of CEOs planning to hire more staff in 2016.
Biotechnology encompasses many disciplines including human therapeutics, industrial applications, the agriculture sector, food technology, medical devices and diagnostics, and cleantech. Biotech jobs are highly-skilled and highly-paid. There are many employment options including patent law, manufacturing, science, policy and business development. People with an understanding of both biosciences and business are in high demand.
Career types
- Bioanalytical chemist
- Biodiscovery research scientist
- Biotechnologist Plant breeder
- Business development manager
- Clinical researcher
- Graduate administrative assistant
- Laboratory scientist
- Medical sales representative
- Patent attorney (not lawyer)
- Trainee patent attorney biotechnology
- Patent examiner
- Pharmaceutical representative
- Assistant plant breeder
- Policy officer/ manager
- Production technician/ manager
- Quality assurance officer/ manager
- R&D scientist
- Research development officer
- Technical sales representative
Resources
- View job listings
- Australian Government Job Outlook
- IMNIS, the industry mentoring network for stem students.
- Paddl, to connect with potential employment opportunities
Students are advised to speak to their university career counsellor for career pathway guidance.