Careers in Bioscience

KGI's Master of Bioscience degree is designed to place students on an accelerated career track in the biosciences industry. If you're excited about becoming a part of this dynamic business, these are some of the potential career paths you might follow.

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. Computers are used to gather, store, analyze and integrate biological and genetic information that can then be applied to gene-based drug discovery and development. The science of Bioinformatics, which is the melding of molecular biology with computer science, is essential to the use of genomic information in understanding human diseases and in the identification of new molecular targets for drug discovery.

Business Development/Strategic Planning

Initiate, evaluate, and negotiate value-added partnerships and research agreements independent of or in association with individual team projects, representing the interests of marketing, legal, finance and scientific staff members. Provide business development direction for the generation of business plans, financial analyses, intellectual property assessments, product development, and competitive technical assessments for key programs. Maintain knowledge of critical intellectual property. Responsible for evaluating new business opportunities, directing strategic, technical, financial, and market assessments, in order to develop recommendations for new product development and/or other strategic decisions such as partnering and acquisitions. Manage key external relationships and strategic partnerships, maintaining a high level of communication and responsiveness. Advise senior management on the creation/direction of initiatives and programs to fulfill corporate licensing objectives.

Clinical Research Associate

A clinical research associate is responsible for the design, planning, implementation, and overall direction of clinical research projects. He or she evaluates and analyzes clinical data and coordinates activities of associates to ensure compliance with protocol and overall clinical objectives. He or she may also travel to field sites to supervise and coordinate clinical studies. Knowledge of FDA regulatory requirements is essential.

Financial Analyst

Work both independently and as part of a team developing, planning, implementing and measuring the financial strategies, objectives, and performance of the company. Interface with all levels of management to develop financial models; provide financial support; perform ad hoc business analyses; complete variance analyses-actual vs. forecast; identify risks and opportunities to forecasts; develop a standard reporting package; assist with development of processes and procedures to ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley.

Internal Sales

Internal Sales is responsible for implementing strategy, increasing revenue generation and working with the telesales team. Must be well versed about company products and services to create opportunities for existing and new clients. Develops campaigns and implements strategies for gaining new business. Develops and implements channel strategies to increase pull-through programs.

Investor Relations

Responsible for assisting in the development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive, strategic investor relations program on a highly proactive basis which, in compliance with corporate policies and securities regulations, will inform and nurture investment audiences, all in an effort to favorably position company shares for maximum market valuation.

Market Research Analyst/Competitor Evaluation/Technical Evaluation

A market research analyst is responsible for researching and analyzing the company's markets, competition, and product mix. Performs literature research, analyzes and summarizes data, and makes presentations on new market and technical areas. Analyzes the competitive environment, as well as future marketing trends, and makes appropriate recommendations. Conducts market surveys, summarizes results, and assists in the preparation, presentation, and follow-up of research proposals.

OEM Relationship Management

OEM Relationship Management acts as a liaison between the company and sub-contractors. Individuals in these positions are involved in the project planning process to ensure the planned development process and documentation will support FDA requirements wherever possible. Oversight can include: Project Plan document; Hazards/Risks analysis; Product Requirements Specification; Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA); Required documentation is maintained in a suitable location with proper controls.

Patent Research Associate

Responsible for diligence activities concerning intellectual property in merger, acquisition, license, and other transactional events; research project team participation to identify, instruct, and provide intellectual property guidance to team members; assisting, and informing Management on corporate intellectual property issues, such as new product development; conducting freedom-to-operate (patent clearance), infringement, and enforcement analysis; reviewing the IP provisions of agreements.

Process Development

Provide process development technical support, including: providing on the floor support for production; supporting lot disposition by assessing the effect of process deviations; examining process performance, identifying process improvement opportunities, and troubleshooting process problems; bringing process improvements from the laboratory into the plant; ensuring commercial process readiness and fit; leading process transfer activities to commercial manufacturing sites; coordinating process characterization activities; providing technical input to the design and interpretation of process validation studies; providing technical support to regulatory filings and inspections.

Product Development Manager

A product development manager, at the entry level, is responsible for the design, development, modifications to, and enhancements of existing products and processes. The position is involved in new product scale-up, process optimization, technology transfer, and process validation. Ensures that processes and design implementations are consistent with good labor and manufacturing practices. May also be responsible for contact with outside vendors and for the administration of contracts to accomplish goals. A product development manager works on problems of moderate scope, where analysis of a situation or data requires a review of identifiable factors.

Project Management

Develops and maintains detailed project timelines, resource plans (people and $) and works directly with team members to identify deliverables, interdependencies, and target due dates. Designs and teaches project management skills to a highly scientific constituency. Coordinates and tracks projects, trains project teams, and reports cross-project performance metrics to senior management. Desirable skills include decision and risk analysis, resource conflict management and communication in a matrix environment.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

A regulatory affairs specialist, at the entry level, coordinates and prepares document packages for submission to regulatory agencies, internal audits, and inspections. He or she compiles all material required for submissions, license renewals, and annual registrations. An incumbent monitors and improves tracking and control systems and keeps abreast of regulatory procedures and changes. He or she may work with regulatory agencies and recommend strategies for earliest possible approvals of clinical trial applications.

Research Associate (Pre-Clinical) - Assay Development

This position will be responsible for assay development expertise and technical resources. The position will provide leadership and know-how and will be involved in all assay related research and development projects in the varied product areas: biochemistry, cellular, molecular, and bio-sizing. He or she will participate in a technical environment that supports innovation and concept development. Working with the microfluidics department, the assay development group will be responsible for new assay formats and concepts.

Research Associate (Pre- Clinical) - High Throughput Screening

For a research associate in high-throughput screening, the primary responsibility is to participate in the development, testing, and implementation of high-throughput processes using novel biochemical assay platforms with custom integrated automation systems. This individual plays a central development and implementation role, collaborating with scientists, engineers, and software developers in the Assay Development, Automation, and Informatics groups in developing, optimizing, validating, and transferring robust and reliable HTS processes to Screening operations teams. This individual will also have a central role in establishing practices and procedures for ensuring the efficient production of high quality data.

Sales Representative

A sales representative is responsible for direct sales of company products or services. He or she calls on prospective customers, provides product information and/or demonstrations, and quotes appropriate customer prices. A sales representative is also responsible for new account development and growth of existing accounts within an established geographic territory. Must meet assigned sales quotas and may handle key company accounts or act as an account manager for national or major accounts. Depending on the level of the position, an experienced incumbent may also assist in the training of other sales representatives.

Technical Support/Services

Provides technical support for products to both internal and external customers. Helps customers extract maximum performance from products by responding to their scientific and technical inquiries. Assists Sales, Marketing, R&D, Production and Quality with product performance analysis. Provides accurate and timely customer feedback to these key departments. Participates in the technical training of customers and staff.

Technology Transfer

In this position, the scope of activities includes: Evaluating the commercial potential of new technologies. Determining patentability. Prosecuting patents. Registering copyrights. Marketing and licensing patents, tangible material, and software. Negotiating license agreements. Receiving and distributing royalties and other income to the inventors.

More information...

Graduate Employment 

Industry Sectors.