Biotechnology Technologist
Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies, and utilities.
Typical Duties:
- Collaborates with research scientists to implement or evaluate quality control and quality assurance procedures in a laboratory environment;
- Validates laboratory procedures to ensure compliance with established quality control or quality assurance practices;
- Handles complex biotechnical applications using advanced knowledge of chemistry, biology, and biostatistics;
- Undertakes standard cell culture procedures under aseptic conditions;
- Coordinates and or implements molecular biology procedures;
- Analyzes data in preparation for scientific report submission;
- Establishes and validates test procedures to ensure a product is manufactured in accordance with the requirements of regulatory agencies, company standards and current industry practices;
- Uses DNA fingerprinting in forensic analysis;
- Engineers bacteria to clean up oil spills or engineers plants for bioremediation;
- Conducts research to help understand the causes of many diseases including cancer;
- Produces new antibiotics to combat drug resistant bacteria;
- Works on the production of therapeutic drugs;
- Participates in the development of new tests for environmental toxins and pollutants;
- Helps develop microbial processes to produce green alternative fuels;
- Analyzes environmental samples for chemical and microbiological contaminant
Educational Requirements:
Three year college program in chemical or biochemical engineering technology or biotechnology.