Biotechnology Research
What does the Biotechnology Research industry do?
What’s it like to work at a Biotechnology Research company?
What kinds of jobs are there in the Biotechnology Research industry?
How likely is it that a person will be able to find a job in this industry in the Tech Valley Region in the next three to five years?
What does the Biotechnology Research industry do?
Simply put, biotechnology is technology based on biology. This industry harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. It provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, help improve our environment, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.
There are essentially three different stages of the biotechnology process:
Research and Development is where groundbreaking scientific research with state-of-the-art technology takes place. Gathering information, conducting experiments and making use of discovery research, technicians work with scientists looking to make new discoveries that will lead to innovative ideas for products and services in the worldwide biotechnology research community.
Process/Product Development and Manufacturing is where effective production processes and testing methods are established, in collaboration with research and development. Working together, the goal is to implement manufacturing and production at the highest efficiency level when the products are produced in large quantities.
Quality Control and Clinical Testing is done to ensure the safety, effectiveness and stability of products being developed by a company that will someday, hopefully, be manufactured for sale to the public. When testing is underway, it ensures that all regulatory norms are followed in the development of various products and processes.
Biotechnology research is changing the world in numerous ways. Currently, there are more than 250 biotechnology health care products and vaccines available to patients – many for previously untreatable diseases. More than 13.3 million farmers around the world benefit from agricultural biotechnology to increase crop yields through genetic research, as well as prevent damage from insects and pests and reduce farming's impact on the environment.
In addition, more than 50 bio-refineries are being built across North America to test and refine technologies to produce biofuels and chemicals from renewable biomass, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, bioinformatics represents the technological future of biotechnology as technicians are using sophisticated computer equipment, analyzing biological data and creating massive genetic databases to unlock genetic secrets.
What’s it like to work at a Biotechnology Research Company?
Employees typically work in clean and sterile environments, as there is a strong emphasis on preventing contamination. Work areas are temperature-controlled, well-lighted and quiet. Ventilation systems and special clothing and equipment are typically used to protect workers from dust, fumes and odors. Some employees may be required to work with infectious cultures and poisonous chemicals, while others work with animals. There may be periods of standing or sitting, as well as active movement between stations and labs. Taking very accurate notes, strictly following required procedures and recording results with accuracy are also very important in this industry.
The work in areas of basic research can vary greatly over time. In quality control research or clinical testing, work can become very repetitive. Lab work often includes working with very complex testing machinery and may include testing bio-medical devices that are designed to diagnose, treat or otherwise assist people suffering from disease or other illness.
In regard to hours, some operations work around-the-clock – three shifts per day and seven days per week. Workers typically receive extra pay when assigned to the second or third shift.
What kinds of jobs are there in the Biotechnology Research Industry?
Research Technician
Minimum Education - Associate's Degree (Bachelor's Degree Preferred)
Starting Salary - $38,000 per year
Higher levels in the same title - $60,000 per year
Laboratory Technician
Minimum Education - Associate's Degree or Certificate
Starting Salary - $30,000 per year
Higher levels in the same title - $45,000 per year
Laboratory Technologist
Minimum Education - Associate's Degree and On-The-Job Training (in some cases specilalized training is needed)
Starting Salary - $42,00 per year
Higher levels in the same title - $60,000 per year
Research Scientist
Minimum Education - Ph.D and/or M.D.
Starting Salary - $55,000 per year
Higher levels in the same title - $115,000 per year
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How likely is it that a person will be able to find a job in this industry in the Tech Valley Region in the next three to five years?
New York State is ranked first in the nation in biotechnology growth, and second in total bioscience employment. Tech Valley is fast becoming a hub for high technology in New York State. The region’s high-tech sector is expected to gain at least another 4,000 jobs in the next two years, and additional growth is expected beyond that. Because the biotechnology industry is experiencing such rapid growth, the demand for skilled workers exceeds the number of trained workers available – thus creating a shortage.
Growth can be attributed to a number of factors. The demand for health-producing and life-saving drugs will continue to grow, as people look to extend the quality of their lives. The emphasis on “going green,” in conjunction with rising oil prices, will continue to stimulate research, development and production of biofuels and chemicals designed to use less and cleaner energy. In addition, the overall focus of industries to become more efficient and effective, with minimal impact on the environment will add to the growth of this industry.
The range of research in our region includes, but is not limited to, gene technology, pharmacology, modeling diseases in mice and other animals, study of proteins, and nanoscale biology.
Tech Valley companies that are part of the Biotechnology Research industry include:
Albany Medical Center
State University of New York at Albany, Center for Functional Genomics
Wadsworth Center
For additional resources and information regarding the Biotechnology Manufacturing industry, click here.
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