What does a biotechnologist do?
Biotechnologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real biotechnologist resumes:
- Manage laboratories and perform clinical research in diabetic and thyroid disease states.
- Perform standard PCR assays for research group.
- Purify enzymes using gravity, low pressure liquid chromatography, and AKTA FPLC.
- Participate in semi-annual proficiency testing for forensic casework (CTS) and proficiency testing for engraftment monitoring (ASHI).
- Quantify the final product form using solvent extraction and normal phase HPLC.
- Maintain documentation and batch records in accordance with ISO and CE-IVD regulations.
- Maintain complete/accurate documentation of production and testing results in accordance with FDA regulations.
- Conduct ELISA method development/optimization/validation for transgenic proteins for regulatory studies/submissions.
- Conduct ELISA method development/optimization/validation for transgenic proteins for regulatory studies/submissions.
Biotechnologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Biotechnologists are proficient in R, GMP, and DNA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Technical skills, Communication skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Biotechnologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- R, 23%
Maintained lab in compliance with standard operating procedures; Aided R &D Lab in testing filters for NASA.
- GMP, 13%
Led and executed Pilot and Engineering Runs; and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) commissioning of upstream processes.
- DNA, 13%
Performed all the laboratory functions for the maintenance/operation of six ABI 377 DNA sequencers.
- PCR, 12%
Collaborated with sequencing lab to obtain real time PCR analysis to evaluate potential regulatory effects or instability in gene copy number.
- Assays, 10%
Executed three different assays on prostate cancer, HPV and CTNG - Prostate Cancer Antigen gene 3 (PCA3).
- Extraction, 10%
Quantified the final product formed using solvent extraction and normal phase HPLC.
"r," "gmp," and "dna" are among the most common skills that biotechnologists use at work. You can find even more biotechnologist responsibilities below, including:
Technical skills. One of the key soft skills for a biotechnologist to have is technical skills. You can see how this relates to what biotechnologists do because "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." Additionally, a biotechnologist resume shows how biotechnologists use technical skills: "prepared technical reports for fda filings and presented data at meetings. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling biotechnologist duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists." According to a biotechnologist resume, here's how biotechnologists can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "maintain communication, both oral and written, with key people about test results and various other job aspects. "
Analytical skills. This is an important skill for biotechnologists to perform their duties. For an example of how biotechnologist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a biotechnologist: "provided analytical support for nih-sponsored project aimed at isolation of mrna from mouse brain tissue. ".
The three companies that hire the most biotechnologists are:
- ADM2 biotechnologists jobs
- Kelly Services1 biotechnologists jobs
Compare different biotechnologists
Biotechnologist vs. Research associate
A research associate is responsible for assisting the research team, organizing and interpreting findings, and verifying information before presenting the study to the board. Research associates duties also include gathering and comparing data from multiple sources, analyzing the current industry trends, creating draft outlines for reports, collecting individual contacts for interview purposes, and helping with the development of research procedures. A research associate must have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially on meeting strict deadlines and conducting studies.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, biotechnologist responsibilities require skills like "pcr," "clinical lab," "assays," and "molecular techniques." Meanwhile a typical research associate has skills in areas such as "patients," "research projects," "data analysis," and "data collection." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Research associates tend to reach lower levels of education than biotechnologists. In fact, research associates are 7.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 9.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Biotechnologist vs. Laboratory internship
A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results. They must have excellent knowledge of scientific procedures, demonstrating their class learnings to practical applications. A laboratory intern must be detail-oriented, especially on conducting and verifying the accuracy of research materials. It is also required for a laboratory intern to be a fast-learner, understanding the scientific complexities to master various approaches.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real biotechnologist resumes. While biotechnologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "pcr," "clinical lab," "assays," and "extraction," laboratory interns use skills like "lab procedures," "chemistry," "python," and "c++."
In general, laboratory interns achieve lower levels of education than biotechnologists. They're 19.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 9.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for biotechnologists in the next 3-5 years?
Professor Susan Bergeson
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Biotechnologist vs. Research and development technician
A research and development technician specializes in performing mathematical and laboratory operations to support projects concerning products and development. Usually functioning as an assistant to a more experienced researcher, a research and development technician's responsibilities revolve around conducting analysis, building models and prototypes, producing reports, and performing various experiments. Furthermore, as a technician, it is crucial to coordinate with all team members, keeping an accurate record of all processes while adhering to the company's standards and regulations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from biotechnologist resumes include skills like "dna," "pcr," "clinical lab," and "assays," whereas a research and development technician is more likely to list skills in "project management," "product management," "product development," and "digital transformation. "
Most research and development technicians achieve a lower degree level compared to biotechnologists. For example, they're 15.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Biotechnologist vs. Research technician
A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination. A research technician must have strong analytical and scientific knowledge, as well as a passion for research writing and investigations crucial for this kind of industry.
Types of biotechnologist
Updated January 8, 2025