Biotech companies in San Diego are actively recruiting, and if you have an interest in biology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, or in one of the many related fields, then a career in the San Diego biotech industry may be for you. Biotechnology is defined as the integration of engineering and technology to the life sciences, and is also referred to as bioengineering in some circles. In biotechnology, microorganisms, and or biological substances are used in specific ways, which include, but are not limited to, drug and hormone production, food production, and waste product conversion.



As mentioned, biotechnology is a broadly encompassing term, including the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, and genetic engineering.

Molecular biology is the study of the structure and activity of the macromolecules necessary for life, which consist of DNA, amino acids, proteins, and other types of molecules.

Genetic engineering is the study of the process of creating what is known as recombinant DNA, a process that is accomplished by dividing strands of DNA and then splicing them together in different ways.

Cell biology is the study of cellular components and the ways in which cells interact.

If you are looking for, or anticipating a search for, a San Diego biotech job, you should know that in this type of field, higher education degrees are an absolute must. A bachelors degree in a related field is considered to be the base education for a biotech professional, and it is highly recommended that those seeking to enter the biotech field obtain an advanced degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, cell physiology, or a related field.

Biotechnologists can expect to spend the majority of their time in a laboratory setting, but most biotech professionals also collaborate with other researchers on projects and scientific papers detailing their experiment results and research findings. If you are currently an undergraduate looking towards a future San Diego biotech job, you should plan on coauthoring a scientific research paper with a more senior collaborator before you graduate.

Biotech professionals generally work for large biotech firms or companies, but many also find career fulfillment in academia, and in the areas of genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatics research fields. The question of whether to work for an established large biotech firm, an energetic start up company, or in the academic fields is best answered through research and by examining your own career goals and expectations.

According to a 2002 report from the Brookings Institution stated that the U.S. biotech industry is concentrated largely within Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Raleigh Durham, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. and Baltimore. In other words, good news for those seeking lucrative, fulfilling, San Diego biotech jobs.