The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts faster than average employment growth for biological technicians (5 percent), average growth for agricultural technicians (6 percent), and average growth for chemical technicians (3 percent), through 2032. Employment in the biotech industry is expected to be particularly good in the coming years. "Synthetic biology, a relatively new area of biotechnology, will employ biological technicians to redesign biological systems or living organisms for medical, manufacturing, and agriculture applications," the DOL explains. Although there has been some industry consolidation, there is still a strong need for research assistants to help scientists locate and organize information and often also assist in clinical laboratory work. Research assistants with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in biotechnology, genetics, biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and related fields will have the best job prospects.
Since many people take research assistant positions as stepping-stones to positions with more responsibility or stability, positions are often available to beginning researchers as more experienced ones move on. Biotechnology research assistants with good experience, excellent work ethics, and the drive to succeed will rarely find themselves out of work. Jobs will be available, but it may take some creative fact-finding for research assistants to locate positions that best meet their needs and interests.
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineers
- Advanced Manufacturing Technicians
- Agricultural Scientists
- Animal Behaviorists
- Animal Breeders and Technicians
- Aquaculturists
- Arborists
- Astrobiologists
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biochemists
- Bioinformatics Specialists
- Biologists
- Biomedical Engineers
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Biophysicists
- Biosecurity Monitors
- Biotechnology Patent Lawyers
- Biotechnology Production Workers
- Botanists
- Business Managers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Climate Scientists
- Clinical Applications Specialists
- Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- CRISPR Scientists
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Drafters
- Drug Developers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Environmental Scientists
- Epidemiologists
- Epigenetics Researchers
- Genetic Counselors
- Genetic Engineers
- Genetic Genealogists
- Genetic Scientists
- Health Data Analysts
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Laboratory Technicians and Technologists
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Laser Technicians
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Manufacturing Production Technicians
- Manufacturing Supervisors
- Marine Biologists
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Medical Scientists
- Microbiologists
- Millwrights
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Naturalists
- Neuroscientists
- Nuclear Medicine Physicians
- Optical Engineers
- Pathologists
- Pharmaceutical Industry Workers
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacologists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Physicians
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Quality Control Engineers
- Quality Control Technicians
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Integrators
- Robotics Technicians
- Sales Managers
- Senior Care Pharmacists
- Toxicologists
- Veterinarians
- Zoologists