The 10 Best Careers in Biomedical Sciences (2023)

From unprecedented situations like the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing aging of the world population, there are many urgent medical needs today that require the expertise of professionals in the biomedical sciences.

This growing demand has resulted in a wealth of exciting opportunities for those who have the specific skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the continued development of the practice. Additionally, the functions that define the biomedical science industry are not limited to those based in a laboratory. The field has expanded to include many commercial and clinical roles, as well as those rooted in research and academia. This allows professionals today more than ever to fall in love with biomedical science and combine their unique interests and skills to find the perfect role in the field.

Read on to learn more about what it means to practice biomedical science, the wide range of employment opportunities available to those with masters and doctoral level education, and how to start your career in biomedical science today.

What is biomedicine?

biomedical sciencecombines the study of human physiology, human pathology, and pharmacology to draw the conclusions and make the advances needed to address major health issues facing society.

"It's actually a generic term," he says.david janero, director ofDegree in Pharmaceutical Sciencesin the Northeast. "It ranges from wet laboratory research to addressing problems related to therapeutics, disease mechanisms, and other related fields, [and] draws on disciplines such as pharmacology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, etc."

The many facets of this job give aspiring biomedical scientists the opportunity to tailor their careers to their unique interests, a benefit of this specific field that has led to increased interest among science and technology enthusiasts.

Pursue a career in the biomedical sciences

Despite the many scientific applications of biomedical science, Janero explains that jobs in this industry today are not limited to research. "I think the general perception is that biomedical science is primarily a wet lab discipline," he says. "But there really is a variety of opportunities in this area."

Did you know:A "wet lab' is a laboratory where scientists manipulate chemicals or other 'wet' materials to conduct experiments. A "dry lab," on the other hand, is a place where scientists make inferences about the naturally occurring realities of the world and recreate them using computers or mathematics.

(Video) Career options after BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE DEGREE 🎓

A biomedical device must go through a series of stages, from development and testing to sales and marketing, before it can be used as a medical solution. Because of this, "It's not uncommon to have a project team... [consisting of] lab technicians, sales people, marketing people, legal entities, as well as scientists from different disciplines," says Janero.

Advance your career with a Masters in Biomedical Sciences

Learn how to transform your career into an industry that is changing the world.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Biomedical science professionals also have the unique opportunity to work in the public or private sector, allowing them to further tailor their career opportunities to their particular interests.

However, regardless of intended applications in biomedical science, professionals should first pursue an advanced degree in the field. As Janero explains, “a solid education in the biomedical sciences at doctoral or masters level provides a kind of necessary flexibility, as the student must develop a range of skills that are not limited to those required on the bench.”

This includes improving critical interpersonal skills such as communication, critical thinking and collaboration, as well as practical skills, a combination that is now essential for success in all biomedical science positions.

Below, we examine the five best career opportunities available to biomedical scientists with a master's or doctorate degree in the field.

Top 5 Careers in Biomedical Sciences for Masters

Biomedical Laboratory Technician

Lohn:$62,007 per year

Responsibilities:Biomedical laboratory technicians have a wide range of tasks, especially in a humid laboratory environment. According to Janero, they participate in drug research, profile new compounds as potential drugs, synthesize and purify new chemicals, and more.

Senior Clinical Research Associate

Lohn:$99,607 per year

Responsibilities:Clinical Research Associates provide advanced technical support throughout the clinical research process, including testing, device management and presentation of results. Due to the private nature of this work, these individuals are generally held to high ethical standards and must strictly follow established processes to prevent unwanted contamination of the collected data or patient records.

biomedical scientist

Lohn:$69,189 per year

Responsibilities:Biomedical scientists at this level can design and conduct experiments in a research setting. They can work independently or under the supervision of post-doctoral scientists and are often asked to publish articles in scientific journals about their findings.

senior medical writer

Lohn:$86,890 per year

Responsibilities:Medical writers create manuals and other educational or training materials for readers with and without a medical background. They typically conduct the necessary research to develop these materials and therefore require a strong understanding of the field of biomedical science as a whole. Their texts need to be translated for the general public, targeting medical professionals, patients, and occasionally even the business community.

Senior Medicinal Chemist

Lohn:$108,791 per year

Responsibilities:Medicinal chemists make the chemicals and compounds used to develop useful medicines. This often involves making calculated adjustments to chemical compounds while studying how each chemical reacts to the other and its environment, and using that information to understand how a drug behaves in the human body.

5 Careers in Biomedical Sciences for PhD Students

Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences

Lohn:$95,437 per year

Responsibilities:A full-time professor of biomedical sciences teaches groups of undergraduate and graduate students a variety of biomedical science practices. Many professors at this level also continue their practical work in the university laboratories. They can advise students, supervise their research and initiate university-financed projects or experiments.

Medical Sales Manager

Lohn:$101,228 per year

Responsibilities:Medical sales representatives combine a broad knowledge of biomedical science practices with the advanced communication skills of a salesperson. His primary responsibilities are the sale of medical devices to businesses and private practices, including following up potential customers, developing a showcase for his products and resolving any questions or concerns raised. Medical sales managers can also mentor entry-level salespeople in their teams.

Senior Biomedical Scientist

Lohn:$104,151 per year

Responsibilities:The Senior Biomedical Scientist degree is an entry-level wet lab position for PhD holders. These people spend much of their time conducting practical research and communicating their findings to higher levels in their organizations.

chief investigator

Lohn:$105,838 per year

Responsibilities:Principal Investigators take the lead in laboratory research. They set parameters for the experiments, describe the test steps, and oversee a team of scientists who conduct the experiments. According to Janero, at this stage, a principal investigator "essentially becomes an internal leader and advisor to his group and the unit he works in," which can range from a university department to a pharmaceutical company.

Pharmaceutical Marketing Director

Lohn:$107,412 per year

Responsibilities:Pharmaceutical or biomedical marketing managers oversee strategies and messaging for drugs and other medical devices in the marketplace. This may include branding, advertising campaigns or other lead generation practices. These individuals often act as a liaison between the marketing manager and all other marketing representatives on the team.

Take the next step

For professionals pursuing one of these specialized biomedical science careers, a postgraduate degree is an effective next step. Reflect on your career goals and explore the masters and doctorate programs in biomedical sciences offered at top universities like Northeastern.

"Our programs don't educate with specific outcomes or career direction other than making sure you're as prepared as possible in your educational focus," says Janero. "We just want to make sure our students are market-ready and competitive in their unique fields."Are you ready to take the next step to advance your career in biomedical science?

explore oMaster's degree in Biomedical SciencesjPhD in Biomedical Sciencesprograms in the Northeast, and contact aenrollment trainerGet advice today on what best suits your goals.