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 study the genetics and biology of different organisms to find ways to improve human life.

I change the building blocks of life on a molecular level to make plants, animals, and food more effective for humans to use.

I work in a lab to run tests and experiments, and then write reports to share my findings with the scientific community.

Swipe

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 basically gets divided between two workplaces. When I work in the lab, I’m usually doing hands-on research and using specialized equipment to study biology. I also do office work that involves writing reports, emailing experts, and reading through other scientific reports to help guide my own 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 present them in a way that other scientists can understand and see the value in
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
Run presentations on 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

While this is a growing field with high demand for educated and skilled workers, there will likely be some tough competition for these highly coveted jobs. Experts predict that the outlook for job seekers will be 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

Between writing scientific reports, lab instructions, and emails with other scientists... I spend a lot of time making sure everything I write is clear and understandable.

Swipe

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.