Growing demand in agricultural and medical sectors
Biotechnology is a growing field, especially in the agricultural, environmental, food and medical industries.
Biotechnologists are needed to develop:
- farm animals and feed that produce lower climate-damaging methane
- animal-based veterinary vaccines
- probiotic treatments to improve animal and human gut health
- immune cell therapies for diseases such as cancer
- plants with more nutritious content such as apples with higher Vitamin C levels.
According to the Census, 102 biotechnologists worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Chances strong in university research programmes
Job opportunities have increased in university research programmes, due to the Government funding more genetics research. This includes the University of Otago's genome database project (New Zealand's first human gene bank), which will help scientists better predict disease risk and develop personalised medicines.
Chances best for those with experience
Your chances of getting a job are best if you have:
- experience working in a laboratory in industry, at a university or through a summer internship
- experience or skills in biotechnology, microbiology or genetics
- project management and business management skills.
Types of employers varied
Biotechnologists work for:
- biotechnology companies
- food production companies
- universities
- Crown research institutes
- private research institutes.
