Career Opportunities in Biotechnology

New technology like Biotechnology is the key to tomorrow’s job market, it is definitely one of the fastest growing fields. It finds application in every aspect of industrial and daily life, from the chemical, medicine, textile industries, environment conservation, animal husbandry to genetics and agriculture. In fact, the use and application of biotechnology spans a wide range of activities including developing new varieties of seeds, improving livestock breeds creating pesticides of various kinds and developing industrial enzymes that hasten the production process. It holds immense potential in changing the duality of life in years to come. So if you are trying to make your career in this field, this is the right time as career opportunities in biotechnology are huge.

The Work
The work of biotechnologist is related to medical and health care and aims at the application of technology to the improvement of life. Biotechnologist are therefore involved in research, production and marketing.

Course Available

A person with a background in science, especially biology, Chemistry, Physics or Agriculture would do well as biotechnologist. Several industries however, prefer biotechnologist with an engineering background, since the principles of technology would come easily to them. Graduates in all science/Engineering technology/Medicine are eligible for the postgraduate (M.Sc.)course in biotechnology. These programs are being promoted by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Keenly aware of the shortage of trained manpower for industry, DBT is promoting the subject in schools and colleges through seminars and conferences. Biotech consortium India Limited (BCIL) a DBT venture, organizes short term hands on training for biotechnologist keen to work in the industry. 

For Study in Abroad

For those desirous of training abroad entry to Foreign Universities and institutions is easiest at the post-doctoral level. Interested students may contact Department of Biotechnology about research programs at the TRISTE, ITALY Unit of International center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. The Ministry of Science and Technology awards the Biotechnology overseas Associateship for advanced research in basic molecular biology, RDNA Technology, Microbial Genetics, Virology, Plant Tissue Culture, Animal Tissue Culture, Protein and enzyme engineering, genetic disorders and gene therapy, besides other subjects. For details contact Department of Biotechnology Block-2,7th floor, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. 

Placements

A biotechnologist can go in for research activities in Govt. Institution and Organisations. The Department of Biotechnology has openings for Scientific Officers in different Biotechnology disciplines. The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Development of Education, Science and Technology at Thiruvanthapuram recruit Scientists, Technical and Research Staff in diverse Biotechnology disciplines. Besides there are several other Agricultural and Horticultural Institutes that require M.Scs, M. Techs. And Ph.Ds in related fields. Biotechnologist can also work in R and B Units of industries keen to upgrade the quality of their products. Companies like Dabur, Assian Paints, Ranbaxy, Hindustan Lever are a few companies where Biotechnologist can find employment. The biotech business is growing at an accelerated rate and the number of companies in this business is multiplying fast with biotechnology making itself lucrative to the Indian corporate sector, prospects of a career in this field are bright.