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Degree Course in

Biotechnology

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Job Opportunities

N.B. The numbers in brackets are the ISTAT codes from the Italian Classification and Nomenclature of Occupations.

Biotechnologist

Role in the Workplace

The Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology (L-2) provides graduates with the skills required for direct entry into the labour market, both in private companies and in public organisations.

Graduates can undertake technical and operational professional activities using biological systems and genetic engineering techniques for applications in sectors such as agriculture, animal production, food, chemistry, medicine and pharmaceuticals. Their activities may include:

  • the integrated use of biological technologies;

  • technical involvement in processes using biological systems or components thereof to develop innovative products aimed at improving food, health, environmental and socio-economic conditions;

  • biological and analytical control and validation of such processes and products;

  • certification of genetically modified products, ensuring their intended purpose, quality and biosafety, and assessing their health, environmental and socio-economic impact in compliance with applicable legal, patent, economic and bioethical requirements;

  • research activities in the biological field involving the genetic modification of organisms or microorganisms in order to obtain goods or services;

  • research on products resulting from genetic modification or services based on genetically modified products;

  • chemical, biochemical, biological and genetic analysis of substances, organisms or parts thereof in order to assess compliance with safety requirements established by national, European and international regulations;

  • the use of information technology tools to analyse data obtained from research and laboratory activities relevant to biotechnology and to develop models of biotechnological systems;

  • the application of the above activities in the agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical sectors;

  • the assessment of biological research and production procedures in compliance with bioethical standards recognised by the scientific community and applicable at national and European level;

  • the commercialisation of products resulting from research or production activities involving biotechnological processes or methods.

Skills Associated with the Role

The skills required of Biotechnology graduates to perform the activities described above derive from the learning outcomes of the degree class. In particular, graduates should:

  • possess an adequate basic knowledge of biological systems from a molecular and cellular perspective, enabling them to develop practical professional skills;

  • possess the theoretical and experimental foundations of the multidisciplinary techniques that characterise biotechnological practice and the production of goods and services through the analysis and use of biological systems;

  • be familiar with the relevant disciplinary methods and be able to apply them in practical situations, with appropriate knowledge of applicable regulations and ethical and bioethical issues;

  • be able to use English effectively, both orally and in writing, or at least one other European Union language in addition to Italian, within their professional field and for the exchange of general information;

  • possess appropriate communication and information-management skills and tools;

  • be able to prepare technical and scientific reports;

  • be able to work effectively as part of a team, independently carry out operational activities and integrate rapidly into professional working environments.

Career Opportunities

A Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology provides access to:

  • registration, subject to passing the relevant State Examination and obtaining professional qualification where required, with the appropriate professional registers, including the Junior section of the Register of Biologists and the Register of Agronomists and Forestry Professionals;

  • further study through a range of Master’s degree programmes or first-level postgraduate Master’s programmes.

Graduates may work as:

  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: a professional who provides general practitioners and specialist physicians with technical and scientific information on the pharmaceutical products of the company they represent;

  • Scientific Area Specialist: a professional who provides scientific information on specific pharmaceutical product areas, such as oncology drugs, in which they have in-depth knowledge of the relevant molecular aspects;

  • Laboratory Technician: graduates may work as technicians in laboratories operating in the agri-food, environmental, research and pharmaceutical sectors;

  • Employee or owner of a para-pharmacy: a biotechnologist may own a para-pharmacy or work as an employee, provided that activities requiring professional pharmaceutical responsibility are carried out in the presence of a qualified pharmacist registered with the relevant professional body.

Graduates may find employment in:

  • universities and public or private research organisations;

  • public and private healthcare facilities;

  • biotechnology industries and services;

  • pharmaceutical industry and pharmacovigilance;

  • food and nutrition industries;

  • environmental prevention and protection organisations;

  • multi-area prevention services;

  • medico-legal facilities;

  • diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries;

  • biotechnology companies;

  • notified bodies and certification bodies;

  • national and international regulatory agencies;

  • clinical trial monitoring, including roles such as Clinical Research Associate (CRA) or Clinical Monitor (CM);

  • patent offices;

  • technology transfer companies;

  • scientific publishing and communication companies;

  • management consulting and investment management companies, including venture capital firms;

  • charitable organisations;

  • sector associations, including scientific, industrial and patient organisations;

  • public institutions, including the Ministry of Health.