GRADUATE CAREERS IN THE BIOTEHNOLOGY & BIOPHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES

So you have just finished your degree and your wondering what your next step is? Should I go traveling for a year or stay and join the 'dreaded' workforce immediately? The biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries offer a wealth of opportunities for ambitious and enthusiastic individuals with careers ranging from quality control to research and development. As a starting point your degree is generally the foundations towards your future career path, with biochemists usually going into jobs such as quality control, bioformulation, bioprocess development and research & development. Biotechnologists also follow similar paths, but usually into more technology based careers such as technology transfer, bioprocessing, cell culture and molecular biology. A main focus of biopharmaceutical companies based in Ireland is the development, manufacture and quality management of peptides, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and antibodies. The biotechnology industry is primed to grow significantly in the next couple of years, even in the context of an economic downturn, and this is due to recent technological advances in the area.

CHANGING CAREER PATHS

Some people reach a point in their careers where they feel it is time to move, whether it be for logistic, personal or environmental issues. The Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical sectors present a number of opportunities for career progression. A number of companies have announced significant expansions as new products come to market and technological advances in the field lead to new avenues of research. Ireland has fast become a center of excellence in biopharmaceutical research and development, and as such many of the future career paths are heavily based upon research methodologies. As biopharmaceuticals come to the forefront in the fight against disease, these industries inevitably will grow. Occasionally biochemists, biotechnologists or bioengineers can make a lateral career step into such fields are regulatory affairs, validation, compliance or commercial affairs, which can prove rewarding. For further information about possible careers path or advice on your next move contact the biopharmaceutical team on (01) 685 45 45 or email info@biopharmaceutical.ie and we will be more than happy to help.