Biotech Careers Heating Up
Biotechnology is a booming field with plenty of opportunities, especially in the pharma industry. Biotech companies are on the hunt for people to fill a variety of positions ranging from microbiologists to Quality Assurance Scientists. If you like science and want an exciting new career, then this post might just be what you're looking for!
A decade ago, biotech was defined by South San Francisco's Genentech Inc., with its big red "T" atop its building and its soaring stock price. The Bay Area still produces some of the world's most innovative biotech companies, but it isn't alone any more--Pittsburgh has one; so does Boston; Seattle has spawned several now-public firms. Boston's Yes Bio, for instance, bought Calico Life Sciences last week for about $1 billion.
Also part of the biotech boom: jobs. There are more openings than there are people to fill them, say those in the industry. That is creating a high demand for science, biochemistry and biology majors; pharmacologists; and researchers in other fields. One biotech recruiter says he has been approached recently by classes of teens looking to get involved in the industry.
"One of the things that is unique to industry or academia right now is that employers have budgets," says John Reed, president and chief executive officer of International Human Resources Group (IHRG). IHRG's clients are looking for entry level scientists and technicians with a minimum of a B.A. or some related experience.
"There is an excess of qualified people looking for jobs," he says, "and then there is demand."
Reed says that employers are willing to pay more to hire A-grade candidates, even if they already have plenty of B-graders on staff. And with the economy in recovery mode, he says hiring can be broken down into three categories: A hires, B hires, and C hires--with the first two paying more than the last. Those working in biotech tend to fall into the A and C category, he says.
Those who don't are in high demand. That is because, Reed says, the industry offers great opportunity for those who work hard and learn the business. "It's a great industry to be in," he says. "The rise of biotech and life sciences has been phenomenal."
"This is a career that will last you for your whole life," says Blane Page, director of human resources at Universal Biological Co., a Westborough-based firm that develops biotechnology products and invests in other companies involved in biological research and development. He says there are several reasons it's such an exciting field: it offers a variety of career options; it's very much like the real world; and there's always something new happening.
"You can't go to one of our meetings and not come away with the feeling that there's something new," he says.
If you're looking for a biology career, Page suggests keeping up on new discoveries and innovations, learning about new products in the pipeline and attending meetings of companies that are at the forefront of research. There is no shortage of information available on the Internet. If you're looking for a career that has a direct impact, Page says biotechnology can help create solutions to health-related problems. As an example, he cites IHRG client Human Genome Sciences Inc., which in 2007 launched a large Phase III trial using its drug candidate for multiple sclerosis (MS). The company will evaluate the therapy's efficacy compared to a placebo and also compare it against Avonex-Tysabri (Rituximab)--a drug used to control the symptoms of MS that's recently been approved by the FDA.
MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease; many believe it begins with a viral infection that damages the immune system. If a viral infection occurs in infancy, the host's immune system can attack the brain and spinal cord, resulting in symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle weakness, blurred vision and slurred speech. The disease often progresses to multiple sclerosis if left untreated as well as causing paralysis if it's not treated early.
The drug in question is a synthetic protein that attaches to host cells and tries to provoke an immune response. This targets the T-cells, which are the key component in the body's attack on foreign invaders--and which are believed to be involved in causing MS.
"This is an exciting time," says Page. "There's always something new coming out."
That means job opportunities for people with science backgrounds, he says, and that's why employers need a diverse workforce. "We don't have enough pharmacists and dietitians here in Massachusetts," he says, explaining that they're needed at many of the companies currently developing drugs or diagnostics for cancer or diabetes.
Another IHRG client, U.K.-based Proteome Sciences, is creating a blood test that will tell if a person has prostate cancer. The company is expected to deliver results by the end of this year to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is looking to create an early test for prostate cancer.
"We're not going after early detection," says Page, explaining that the existing tests aren't effective enough. "This test can actually tell you if you have prostate cancer. The test can be done in your doctor's office and will cost about $70," he says.
Page says that employers are always on the lookout for people with science degrees--whether from a technical school or an academic institution. He says that if you're looking for a job in biotechnology, there are plenty of opportunities to get your foot in the door. The industry has also been growing, he says, partly because there is always something new to learn about.
"It's exciting for us as employers," Page says. "We need a diverse workforce. Recent graduates with degrees in biology or science are critically important. It's great to see young people interested in science and working on real problems."
"It's a great way to get into science," says Verne Kutschera, director of the Center for Biomedical Research at Becker College in Worcester. He says that if you're considering a career in the field, it's important to know what you want to do and how much time you want to put into your education. There are two ways to break into biotech: with a bachelor's degree; or by holding a Ph.D., he says, which entitles you to be called "doctor"--and command higher salaries as well as better job opportunities. Kutschera says that a Ph.D. will take three to five years of advanced education, where you'll be expected to conduct research and publish papers.
A bachelor's degree, on the other hand, will take an additional two years, after which you can get your master's degree. Most employers require a master's degree if you want to work in drug research or development or medical diagnostics.
"Usually you need a master's if you want to work in the lab," he says. "For some jobs, it may not be necessary." Kutschera says that employers are always looking for applicants who have the ability to solve problems and tell stories about their research--and those who love their work.
Conclusion
It's never been a better time to get your foot in the door at a biotech company. R&D companies are always looking for employees and interns, and there's plenty of work available in all aspects of the industry. If you're interested in a career in the field, it's important that you prepare by getting as much information as possible about the different options available to you. For example, what is a Ph.D.