Biotechnologist

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

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become a biotechnologist

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You'll usually need a degree in a relevant scientific subject, like:

• biotechnology
• bioscience
• microbiology
• biochemistry
• chemistry or chemical engineering

Employers will expect you to have some knowledge of the biotechnology area you want to work in, for example the food and drinks industry.

You'll need a postgraduate qualification and several years' experience for a research job.

Entry requirements

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
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing a laboratory scientist higher or degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a higher or a degree apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could 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.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

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

Further information

You can find out more about working in biotechnology from:

• Science Council
• Future Morph
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of biology
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• maths knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• you will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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
• 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

Working environment

You could work at a research facility, at a university or in a laboratory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into scientific journalism, quality assurance management, sales or marketing.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship Programme

• Wage : £15,263.00 Annually
• Location: CH63 3JW

(ATA) Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship (Synthetic Organic Chemist) - Pfizer

• Wage : £15,760.00 Annually
• Location: Sandwich CT13 9ND

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

A Level Biology

• Provider: The Bishop of Winchester Academy
• Start date: 02 September 2019
• Location: Bournemouth

GCE A Level Biology

• Provider: Charters School
• Start date: 02 September 2019
• Location: ASCOT

Find courses near you

Related careers

• Biologist
• Clinical engineer
• Biomedical scientist
• Food scientist
• Chemist

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