Job type

Biotechnologist

£19k - £60k

Typical salary

38 – 40

Hours per week

Biotechnologists use plants, animals, microbes, biochemistry and genetics to develop new products and improve existing ones.

More info

Requires a high level of accuracy, a methodical approach to work, and good problem-solving skills
With experience, option to move into scientific journalism, quality assurance management, or sales or marketing
You'll usually wear protective clothing like a lab coat and safety glasses

Biotechnologists seek to understand and manipulate the basic building blocks of living things, and they use the techniques of molecular biology to do so. They study the genetic, chemical and physical attributes of cells, tissues and organisms, and identify practical uses for this knowledge.

You will specialise in either environmental, industrial or medical biotechnology.

DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES

In environmental biotechnology, your duties may include:

Developing micro-organisms and plants to clean polluted land or water
Creating alternative renewable sources of energy like biodiesel
Producing environmentally friendly raw materials for industry like biodegradable plastics from plant starches

In industrial biotechnology, your duties may include:

Cloning and producing enzymes for use in manufacturing food and drink
Creating biological detergents and dyes for the textiles industry
Improving animal feed
Developing crops that are more resistant to pests or genetically modifying crops to increase productivity

In medical biotechnology and biotherapeutics, your duties may include:

Studying human genetics, proteins, antibodies, viruses, plants, fungi and bacteria to research and treat diseases like cancer
Developing therapies, vaccines and hormones to treat the cause of a disease
Producing medicines using techniques like cell culture and genetic modification

DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT

You could work at a research facility, at a university or in a laboratory. You may need to wear protective clothing. It's not uncommon to work shifts, nights and weekends when conducting experiments that need continuous monitoring.

You'll need

Being a Biotechnologist would suit someone with a high level of accuracy, a methodical approach to work, and have good problem-solving skills.

You'll usually need a degree in a relevant scientific subject like biochemistry, bioscience, biotechnology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or microbiology. Employers may expect you to have some knowledge of the specific area of biotechnology you want to go into, like the food and drink industry.

For a research post you'll usually need a postgraduate qualification and several years' experience in the field.

You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 7 (A* to B), including English, maths, chemistry and biology, 2 or 3 A levels, including a biological science for a degree.

Alternatively, you may be able to start by doing a laboratory scientist higher or degree apprenticeship. You could also start as a lab technician and work your way up by training on the job, for example, on a part-time degree or a degree apprenticeship.

You may find it useful to join an organisation like the Science Council for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

CAREER PROSPECTS

With experience, you could move intoa more senior position. Some biotechnologists may also choose to move into scientific journalism, consultancy, quality assurance management, sales or marketing.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS