Job Opportunities

• Biotechnologists – (2.3.1.1.4)
• Agricultural Technicians – (3.2.2.1.1)
• Forestry Technicians – (3.2.2.1.2)
• Biochemical Laboratory Technicians – (3.2.2.3.1)
• Food Product Technicians – (3.2.2.3.2)

Please note: the numbers in brackets refer to the ISTAT codes used in the Italian classification of occupations.

Biotechnologist

Role in the Workplace

The Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology (L-2 degree class) enables graduates to enter the labour market directly, in both private companies and public institutions.

Graduates can undertake technical and operational professional activities involving biological systems and genetic engineering techniques for applications in a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, livestock production, food, chemicals, medicine and pharmaceuticals. Their activities may include:

• the integrated use of biological technologies;
• technical activities involving processes that use biological systems or parts of them to develop innovative products aimed at improving food production, health, environmental conditions and socio-economic well-being;
• biological and analytical monitoring and validation of such processes and products;
• certification of products that have undergone genetic modification, ensuring their intended results, purpose, quality and biosafety, and assessing their potential impact on health, the environment and society, in compliance with applicable legal, patent, economic and bioethical requirements;
• biological research involving the genetic modification of organisms or microorganisms for the development of goods or services;
• research on products resulting from genetic modifications or on services obtained through genetically modified products;
• chemical, biochemical, biological and genetic analysis of substances, organisms or parts of organisms in order to verify compliance with safety requirements established by national, European Union and international legislation;
• the use of information technology tools to analyse data obtained from biotechnology research and testing and to develop models of biotechnological systems;
• the application of the above activities to the agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical sectors;
• the evaluation of biological research and production procedures in accordance with bioethical principles established by the scientific community and applicable at national and European level;
• the marketing and commercialisation of products resulting from research or production activities involving biotechnological processes or methods.

Skills Associated with the Professional Role

In order to perform the above activities, Biotechnology graduates acquire the knowledge and skills associated with the learning objectives of the degree class. In particular, graduates are expected to:

• have an appropriate basic knowledge of biological systems at molecular and cellular level, enabling them to develop practical professional skills;
• possess the theoretical and experimental foundations of the multidisciplinary techniques used in biotechnology for the production of goods and services through the analysis and use of biological systems;
• understand and apply relevant disciplinary methods in practical situations, with appropriate knowledge of applicable regulations and professional and bioethical issues;
• use English effectively, both orally and in writing, or at least another European Union language in addition to Italian, within their specific professional field and for the exchange of general information;
• possess appropriate skills and tools for communication and information management;
• be able to prepare technical and scientific reports;
• be able to work effectively as part of a team, carry out operational activities independently and integrate quickly into professional working environments.

Career Opportunities

A Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology provides access to:

• registration, subject to the relevant requirements and successful completion of the State Examination where applicable, with the relevant professional registers and organisations, including the Italian National Association of Biotechnologists, the Junior Section of the Register of Biologists and the Register of Agronomists and Foresters;
• further study in a range of Master's Degree Programmes or first-level postgraduate Master's programmes.

Graduates may pursue careers as:

• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: a professional who provides general practitioners and medical specialists with technical and scientific information on the pharmaceutical products marketed by a company;
• Scientific Area Specialist: a professional who provides specialist scientific information on specific pharmaceutical product areas, such as oncology drugs, requiring in-depth knowledge of their molecular characteristics;
• Laboratory Technician: graduates may work as technicians in laboratories operating in the agri-food, environmental, research and pharmaceutical sectors;
• Employee or owner of a parapharmacy: a biotechnology graduate may own a parapharmacy or work as an employee, provided that activities requiring a licensed pharmacist are carried out in the presence of a pharmacist registered with the relevant professional body.

Graduates may find employment in:

• universities and public or private research institutions;
• public and private healthcare facilities;
• biotechnology industries and services;
• the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical surveillance;
• the food and dietary products industry;
• environmental protection and prevention organisations;
• multi-zone prevention services;
• forensic and medico-legal facilities;
• diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries;
• biotechnology companies;
• notified bodies and certification organisations;
• 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;
• charities and non-profit organisations;
• professional and sector associations, including scientific, industrial and patient organisations;
• public institutions, including the Italian Ministry of Health.