Description

Biotechnologist Job Hunt: Where Do We Fit Best?

As a HR Consultant, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“Which roles can I apply for?”
“How do I prepare for interviews?”

The truth is, biotechnology is vast and our skills connect with many industries. Here are roles that fit perfectly for biotech graduates:

- Research & Development (R&D): Pharma, healthcare, food, and agriculture companies.
- Quality Control (QC) & Quality Assurance (QA): Ensuring product safety & compliance.
- Environmental Biotechnology: Waste management, water treatment, and sustainability projects.
- Clinical & Diagnostic Labs: Molecular diagnostics, PCR testing, pathology labs.
- Production & Manufacturing: Vaccine, drug, and biotech product industries.
- Regulatory Affairs & Documentation: Ensuring compliance with FDA, EMA, WHO, etc.
- Academia & Teaching: Lab instructors, teaching assistants, or lecturers.
- Biotech Startups & Innovation Hubs: From synthetic biology to nanotech solutions.

*Key things to keep in mind for interviews:*
• Use industry terms like GMP, GLP, SOPs, upstream/downstream processing, molecular techniques, ELISA, PCR, HPLC, biosafety levels.
• Show problem-solving ability: Talk about troubleshooting lab issues, optimizing protocols, or managing data.
• Highlight soft skills: teamwork, communication, adaptability, leadership.
• Prepare short success stories (e.g., your thesis, internship, or project).
• Stay updated with current biotech trends: CRISPR, gene therapy, nanobiotech, AI in healthcare.
• Research the company’s pipeline/products and align your answers with their focus.

Biotechnology is not just about the lab: it’s about innovation, compliance, and collaboration.

*Question for you:*
If you’re a biotechnologist, which role excites you the most?

Tonny Omondi, HR Consultant
Tonny CareersCrafters