Biotechnologist

Holland Code:

Think

Feeding the world will be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. It will be impossible without using scientific advancements and biotechnology.

Mike Pompeo

In A Nutshell

I work both in the lab and out in the field, collecting data and doing research to help create new plants that grow better and help farmers.

I change the basic building blocks of life at a tiny, molecular level to make plants, animals, and food more useful for people.

I run tests and experiments in the lab and write reports to share what I discover with other scientists.

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Potential Salary Range

$70,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nova Scotia

Ontario

PEI

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskwatchewan

My time is split between two main places. In the lab, I do hands-on research and use special equipment to study living things. I also spend time in the office writing reports, emailing other experts, and reading scientific papers to help with my research.

Workplace

Indoor

Job Requirements & Duties

Design and run research studies on specific topics of biotechnology
Use live organisms or biological processes to understand trends and patterns in biology
Record results and share them clearly so other scientists can understand and see why they matter
Set up and maintain scientific equipment and train support technicians on how to use it
Collect information about a topic from other scientists and research papers to guide experiments
Give presentations about new biotechnology and discoveries based on research and results

Education & Training

A university degree in biotechnology, biochemistry, genetics, or another biology-related field is mandatory for this position. A post-graduate degree is often required by employers.

Job Outlook

Biotechnology is a growing field with lots of demand for skilled workers, but many people want these jobs, so competition can be tough. Experts say the chances of finding a job are fair.

Related School Subjects

Science

Career Education

Health Education

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Science Research Laboratory Biology Experimenting

Important Skills

Detail-Oriented

Working in biotechnology is a constant quest for answers about the world around us; it's helpful to have a natural curiosity and a drive to know more.

Independence

While I do have a lab team that I can count on, a lot of my research and reporting is done independently.

Adaptability

Research never completely goes as planned or predicted, so I have to adapt my plan to every challenge we face.

Written Communications

I spend a lot of time writing scientific reports, lab instructions, and emails to other scientists. It’s important to make sure everything I write is clear and easy to understand.

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The Best Things About This Job Are…

Independent Work

Helps Others

Problem Solving

Continuous Learning

Making a Difference in the World

Improves and Protects the Environment

References

Industrial Bacterial Technologist in Canada. (2020).

Biotechnologist. (2019).

Biotechnologist: Job Description. (2020).

Biotechnologist Salary in Canada. (2020).

Disclaimer

All career information has been gathered from a variety of sources and compiled to provide a general idea as to what each career could entail. Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is committed to doing our best to ensure the information is current and reliable. However, we will not be liable for the accuracy of the information. Please contact us if you notice errors or would like to provide feedback.