The question repeatedly asked by students is what can I do with a biotechnology Degree ? And the first answer shaped their minds about being in a laboratory and doing experiments with laboratory goods but the true thing is that you can have lots of roles with a biotech degree and one of them is to be a research scientist.

With a biotechnology degree you can start and join lots of job position and startups but usually the main categories are: Biological Technician, Microbiologist, Research Scientist, Biomedical Engineer, Quality Assurance Manager, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Research and Development Manager, Marketing or Business Development Manager and lots of other jobs. Today we want to take a look at what a biotech student can do as a Research scientist.

Research scientists take action and role in healthcare, agriculture, or industrial bioscience settings, among others. Their responsibilities are similar to those of microbiologists—forming a hypothesis, conducting research, and analyzing the results, with the ultimate goal of developing a product that will solve a problem. They may work with scientists from partner laboratories such as bioinformatics, immunoinformatics, immunologists, chemists and with their organization’s regulatory who approve their standards and evaluate their legal and ethical values, and research and development (R&D) functions.

In healthcare section, medical scientists research biological solution and methods for finding a novel cure for disease in humans or animals, conduct clinical trials to prove the efficacy of new bio pharmaceutical products, or develop standards for dosage and production methods as new drugs and medicinal compounds are brought to market to make sure about their healthy standards in short term and long term. They may also work with public health agencies such as medicine ministries or WHO to manage outbreaks of disease. According to the BLS salary references, the median pay for medical scientists is about $89000 per year.

An agricultural research scientist investigates animal pathogens, solutions and methods to cure disease, and genetics to improve breeding programs and the quality of livestock for food. They may focus on plant food production, exploring methods to improve crop yield or develop uses for biological agents to remediate environmental concerns. They may also explore food use for alternative fuels, such as ethanol produced from sugar or corn. According to the BLS salary references, the median pay for agricultural and food scientists is $66000 per year.

A molecular biologist is concerned with the chemical processes and interactions of molecules that occur within cells. They may conduct basic research to expand scientific understanding or applied research to develop a new product. They can work in healthcare, researching new treatments for cancer and other diseases, or in agriculture, developing disease-resistant crops, or other areas. According to the BLS, the median pay for molecular biologists is $94,490 per year.

Education required to obtain a position as a research scientist varies, however, most employers expect at least a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field, plus professional laboratory experience. Many positions call for advanced education, and academic research facilities may require a PhD. Salaries will vary depending on educational attainment and job title, with median salaries for some positions as high as $115,450. Similar to: medical scientist, biochemist, chemical and materials scientist, senior scientist, plant scientist, geneticist, biophysicist, cellular biologist, and research analyst.

Now you have a vision of what you can do as a microbiologist technician in a laboratory, please comment on your opinion and told us your experience about this.

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