Biotechnology A Booming Research Career

Biotechnology: A Booming Research Career Since Biotechnology is in its nascent stages in India, many students tend to get disillusioned with the limited opportunities. However, since the past decade, the Indian government has set up numerous research institutions of national repute conducting research in Cancer Biology, Stem Cells, Genetic Engineering, and Biomedical Sciences etc. Some of the best innovations and developments that have come out of Biotechnology and allied fields are: genomic sequencing technology, natural alternatives to pesticides, production of bio-fuels and developments in stem cells technology Scope in Biotechnology There is an immense career scope of Biotechnology as you can work on creative efficient medical equipment and technologies, healthcare innovations, pharmaceutical research and much more. Building a successful career in Biotechnology, you will be working at the forefront of research in food sustainability, agriculture, medical sciences and healthcare. Here are the most popular sectors where you can pursue a promising career in Biotechnology: Waste Management Drug and pharmaceutical research Bio-processing industries Agricultural Sciences Environment Control Public funded laboratories Energy Management Food Biotechnology Dairy Technology Scope of Biotechnology in Government Sector Just like research and development opportunities in the private sector, there are several government departments which conduct the same activities at a national level. These researches are controlled by the Ministry of Science and Technology. All the biotech developments are under the Department of Biotechnology. Vacancies are released as per the need by the government and the application process is majorly online. Keep checking the official website for the same. Popular Employment Sectors Along with the above-mentioned work sectors, here are some other popular employment sectors becoming a part of which you can kickstart your career in Biotechnology- Pharmaceutical Agriculture Medicine Environmental Conservation Animal Husbandry Ecology Cosmetics Textile Industry Genetic Engineering Soil Biology How to Start a Career in Biotechnology? To follow the career path of a Biotechnologist, you must be familiarized with the educational qualifications, skills and professional training required to become one. So, we have summarized a step-by-step guide on becoming a biotechnologist below: Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree like BTech or BSc in Biotechnology: The first step towards pursuing a career in Biotechnology is to get the foundational understanding of this field with a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and with interdisciplinary specialisations like Molecular Biotechnology, Chemical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Engineering, to name a few. Further, you can also pursue a bachelor’s degree in any of its related field like Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, etc. to attain the fundamental concepts of this discipline. Explore Training and Internship Opportunities: While studying an undergraduate program in Biotechnology, it is also essential to explore training and internship opportunities at research institutes or in the medical science or technology sector. Training and internships will also add to your resume and exhibit your professional exposure in this field thus helping you fit the job role of Biotechnologist better. Scope of Biotechnology Gain a Specialisation with a Master’s Degree: It is important to gain a postgraduate qualification after graduating and you can pursue a master’s in Biotechnology or its related specialisations like Applied Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology as it will also impart you with the necessary research opportunities and skills you need to pursue a successful career in Biotechnology. Explore Suitable Jobs in Biotechnology: Completing a master’s degree in Biotechnology, you will be ready to explore employment opportunities as a Biotechnologist. Here are the major employment areas for biotechnology graduates: Bio-processing Industries Chemical Industries Waste Management Research Institutes and Universities Drug and Pharmaceutical Research Food Processing and Technology If you are aspiring for a career in research or academia, then you can also pursue a doctorate degree like PhD in Biotechnology. Biotechnology Courses after Bachelors: There is a wide range of courses available for those interested in building a career in Biotechnology. From short-term and online courses to master’s degree programs, you can choose from diverse course offering at top universities across the globe. Here is a list of top Biotechnology courses that you must consider: PG Diploma in Biotechnology MSc Biotechnology MTech in Biotechnology Masters in Biotechnology of Environment and Health Master in Biotechnology Masters in Applied Biotechnology Masters in Medical Biotechnology Master of Science in Molecular Biology Masters in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology MSc in Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology Masters in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Masters in Molecular Biotechnology PhD in Biotechnology PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Institutes Involved in Biotechnology Research: There are several institutes in the world that are involved in Biotechnology research. Some of these institutes are autonomous bodies while the others are owned by the government. If you are planning to build a career in biotechnology, research project in these institutes will be very helpful: Institutes for Research in India Indian Council of Agriculture Research Department of Science and Technology Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Constituent Research Labs of Department of Biotechnology Defense Research and Development Organization Biotechnology Research Institutes in UK Babraham Institute Institute of Food Research Pirbright Institute John Innes Centre Roslin Institute Biotechnology Research Institutes in US John Hopkins Institute University of Pennsylvania Purdue University University of Georgia Columbia University Who Can Study Biotechnology? Though the specific eligibility requirements might vary as per the course and university, the basic eligibility criteria for Biotechnology courses are as follows: The applicant must have completed their 10+2 with PCB subjects from a recognised board of education and with the minimum percentage of marks specified by your chosen university. If you are planning to study biotechnology abroad, you will be required to provide language proficiency test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc. along with an SOP and LORs. Some universities might also ask you to submit GRE scores for master’s level programmes in Biotechnology. Note: The aforementioned criteria only indicates general eligibility requirements. Actual course requirements might differ as per the programme and university. Biotechnology Colleges & Universities: For the aforementioned programmes, there are numerous universities and colleges across the globe offering immense research exposure and specialised academic course offerings in Biotechnology. Below we have compiled the list of top universities you must consider for pursuing a career in Biotechnology: Benaras Hindu University University of Allahabad Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar Kumaun University University of Pune Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla

Tanu Kapoor September 17, 2021