Biotechnology

Biotech

Biotechnology is and has been seen as a sunrise industry for a long time now. Given India's pool of technical and scientific talent, the country has been viewed with interest vis-a-vis scientific research. Then, given India's significant and stable industry base (in this case, pharmaceutical industries) it was understood that research application would soon pick up. An example of this could be the development done in AIDS medication in India, making it cost effective and cheap for use in developing countries caught in the AIDS web.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Jobs in this sector can be classified in a number of ways. There are jobs in the industry sector, Government, Training (teaching profession) and Research and Development under the Government of India. Another way of classifying is within Biotech industry - there are production, marketing, Quality Control and R&D. If one was to join in the Research department, one begins as a scientist while in a marketing wing, one begins as marketing/sales executive. Given the technical nature of this field, marketing jobs are also handled by Life sciences graduate/post graduate with an MBA degree.

EXPECTED REMUNERATION
MSc
8,000 (sales and marketing)
7000-6000 (scientist)

MTech
10,000 (sales and marketing)
8,000 (scientist)

SOCIAL STANDING
Respected. The industry interface may have been relatively new but various R&D facilities under Government have been around for a long time. Has been considered a white collared profession.

BSc: 3+
MSc: 2+

MVSc: 4 years

PLACES TO TRAIN
Department of Biotechnology sponsors about 60 institutes/universities training in different streams of Biotechnology. Most universities offer Biotech as a stream. Some of top places to train.

In the selection of an institution for graduate level education, its important to see such institutes are recognised by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) or are affiliated to any University.

MSc: JNU; Maharaj Sayajirao University, Baroda; Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) for Agriculture, Coimbatore; AIIMS (Medical Biotechnology); GB Pant University (Agriculture Biotechnology); Goa University, Marine Biotechnology.

MTech: IIT, Delhi; University of Mumbai, Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT); Anna University, Chennai and IIT, Rourkee

PLACEMENT
Human Health Care
1. Diagnostic Companies: J Mitra
2. Manufacturing through Biotechnological route: Dr Reddy's Labs, Ranbaxy
3. Vaccine: Shanta Biotechnics, Bharat Biotech

Agricultural Biotech
Plant Tissue Culture: AV Thomas, Cochin
Hybrid seeds: Rallis, Indo American Hybrid, Bangalore
Floriculture: Pune/Bangalore based companies
Bio Pesticides: CHP, Ghaziabad
Bio Fertilisers: Transgenic Crop, Monsanto Pro Agro

Environmental (treatment of industrial waste, effluents, pollution control)& Industrial (Breweries, enzyme- and yeast based and antibiotics products) sectors also need Biotechnologist.

CHANCES OF GOING ABROAD
About 20-25 per cent of researchers from IIT Delhi, UICT, Anna University, JNU, MKU, MS Baroda go abroad for further studies. Indian Companies do not send employees.

WORK HOURS
Generally regular hours. R&D people are expected to put in extra hours.

PERKS/OTHER BENEFITS
Transport and canteen facilities. Good companies such as Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's Labs provide facilities and perks comparable to the best in the market to extract and retain good talent.

The facts and figures quoted here are indicative, not exhaustive. These are broad industry estimates and do not pertain to any particular company.

For getting an overall picture of the Biotech industry HindustanTimes.com spoke to VK Dawar, Deputy General Manager in Delhi.