To further understand what is involved in biotechnology careers, it is important to define what exactly is biotechnology. This is a set of tools that uses living organisms or parts of living organisms to improve a plant, an animal or develop micro-organisms for specific beneficial purposes.

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The biotechnology tools that may be used in genetic or molecular improvement include tissue culture, micro-propagation, genetic analysis, molecular breeding, genetic engineering also known as recombinant DNA technology, marker assisted selection and other molecular diagnostic tools.

By now, you must be thinking of biotechnology careers in line with people who wear white coats working in molecular laboratories. This is not the only case as there are numerous well paying careers in biotechnology ranging from research, manufacturing, quality control and assurance to sales and marketing.

Educational Qualifications Needed for Biotechnology.

To venture into a biotechnology career, you typically need to have a bachelor's degree in this field. However, there are professionals who have exceeded this to have master's degree, doctorate and even PhD. A proper biotechnology career kicks off with quality education, then follows experience, staying up to date and seeking out new opportunities that are ever on the increase.

Careers in Biotechnology

As earlier mentioned, there are jobs that are specific to biotechnology and may involve research, manufacturing, agricultural science and development. They are as follows


Specialists in this field do research on micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses and parasites. This field is so specialised in such a way that a microbiologist may focus on just micro-organisms for his or her own research. These micro-organisms may be used in manufacturing processes, genetic engineering and modifications.

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural biotechnology is a term used in crop and livestock improvement using tools such as conventional plant breeding, molecular breeding, micro-propagation and tissue culture. Other tasks may include designing and testing farm systems.

Biochemist and Biophysicist

Biochemists spend time in the laboratories researching how living organisms function. They analyze the DNA sequences, proteins and enzymes with an aim of solving issues such as resistance and tolerance to certain drugs.

Biophysicists work in energy producing companies and their research is focused on production of energies and fuels such as ethanol from plants.

Biomedical Engineers.

These scientists are tasked with making markers that target on improving patients' lives. They may make prosthetics that show response to signals from the brain, produce artificial insulin and analyse genetic sequences.

Other career lines in biotechnology include Biotechnology laboratory technicians, Crime laboratory technician, quality control analyst, quality control engineer, biotechnology research associate and bio-informatics specialists.

Required Skills and Tools in Biotechnology

Professionals in this field of biotechnology need to have exceptional skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and quick decision making abilities. Additionally, knowledge of genetics is always a necessity as well as elaborate laboratory procedures and equipment handling. Computing abilities and interpersonal skills are an added advantage.

In conclusion, biotechnology careers involve using of biotechnological tools to improve living organisms, products and processes in the vast fields of agriculture, medicine and environmental conservation. This is made possible by genetics, chemical and biological attributes of tissues and organisms for industrial purposes. Biotechnology careers are fun and interesting.