Job Skills Needed to Work in Biotech

Skills Needed Within the Different Biotechnology Sectors
Representatives from biotechnology companies have identified key technical, complementary and non-technical abilities sought in the industry as follows:

The Technical Skills

• Clinical research
• Informatics, more specifically in bio-informatics and molecular modeling
• Laboratory and instrumentation techniques
• Good work practices
• Information technology management
• Development process
• Good manufacturing practices

The Complementary Skills

• Intellectual property endorsement and management
• Marketing strategies
• Financial management
• Quality assurance, calibre control
• Business affairs
• Strategic alliance development and management
• National and international regulatory acumen
• Relations with the investors
• Business promotion
• Market studies
• Product development process
• Project management skills

The Non-technical Skills
Non-technical skills are described as any essential capability that an employee should acquire and master, regardless of his or her sector of work.
The biotechnology industry allows high priority to non-technical skills training and learning, or “soft skills” or “people skills” such as:

• Leadership
• Verbal and written communication skills (Mainly English and French)
• Team work
• Coping skills