(The following data has been created by the Access
Excellence - About Biotech site created by
Genentech.)
There are tremendous career opportunities in biotechnology-related fields
available now and in the near future. The industry is growing rapidly, on a global scale,
and analysts are predicting that it will have a profound impact on health care,
agriculture, energy, and environmental management.
BIO Career Guide Introduction
BIO. "Biotechnology: The Choice for Your Future. A Resource Guide."
Washington, D.C.: Biotechnology Industry Organization.
The following resource guide is part of a program designed by the Biotechnology
Industry Organization (BlO) to introduce biotechnology to young people and to demonstrate
the benefits of bringing this new technology to the world. The resource guide describes
positions available in a typical biotechnology company.
Introduction
Biotechnology uses living cells and materials produced by cells to create
pharmaceutical, diagnostic, agricultural, environmental, and other products to benefit
society. The science of biotechnology is also used to alter genetic information in animals
and plants to improve them in some way that benefits people. Because biotechnology
essentially uses the basic ingredients of life to make new products, it is both a
cutting-edge technology and an applied science. Analysts have predicted that biotechnology
will be one of the most important applied sciences of the 21st century.
The U.S. Biotechnology Industry
The United States is currently the world leader in the research, development,
and commercialization of biotechnology products. These advances have brought to market
life-saving health care products and microbial pesticides, and will soon offer healthier
foods, disease- and insect-resistant crops, additional energy resources, environmental
clean-up techniques, and more.
The number of biotechnology companies was approximately 1,300 at the beginning
of 1993. This figure represents an 11 percent increase over the previous year.
Nearly 80,000 people were employed in the U.S. biotechnology industry in 1992,
which had more than $8.1 billion in revenues. This employment figure represents a 13
percent increase over the previous year.
Compensation in biotechnology companies is competitive and includes incentives,
such as stock option plans, 401K plans, company-wide stock purchase plans, and cash bonus
plans.
The following is a list of typical, entry-level biotechnology positions,
followed by job descriptions. Many of the entry-level biotechnology jobs described herein
are the first of several tiers within the same general areas of responsibility.
Research & Development:
