Researcher at schools, institutes, centers
On a beautiful day in 4 years of university, you can ask a "classic" question to your teacher that "If students study molecules, what should they do after graduation?". I think the first answer you get will be “do research”. And if you ask me, I will give the same answer. So what is the reason? The first reason that comes to mind is that molecular biology techniques are so diverse that many types of research will need them. The second reason I haven't thought through. Could it be because many of the biologists who won the Nobel Prize to date have more or less resorted to molecular biology techniques?
If you are interested and passionate about learning new things, you should try doing research work in laboratories in your own University. In addition, you can apply to institutes or research centers that have a group of topics that you like. Here, you will be able to participate in the research topics and projects of the unit. The hottest topics related to molecular biology today include:
Medicine: stem cells, cancer, infectious diseases, genetic diseases
Animals: infectious diseases on cattle and poultry; breed improvement; develop new foods, new treatments
Plants: screening cultivars; detect diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi; breeding new varieties
Industry: environmental treatment, development of beneficial microorganisms
Research and product development staff at companies
A corner of the SHPT laboratory (Source: Internet)
When I was a 3rd, 4th year student at university, I always asked myself "I am a molecular biology student, what should I do after graduation?". At that time, I did not know how to respond. However, after 8 months of looking for a job, I became a research and product development officer and stuck with this job for more than 6 hours.
In the early 2000s, there were not many companies manufacturing and commercializing molecular biology products. That also means that the recruitment demand for research and product development (R&D) positions in these companies is also very low. However, after almost 20 years, the situation is brighter for this type of work. In my opinion, there are currently at least 7 private companies producing products related to molecular biology in the southern region. These products are kits of disease testing chemicals, biopharmaceutical products, PCR materials, or even some basic machines like PCR machines, UV scopes, etc. If you like to learn new things. But need a dynamic environment, more fierce competition, you can join this R&D team. In addition to experience working in a molecular biology lab, you need to pay attention to some of the following job requirements:
Solid foundational knowledge of molecular biology
Product development and improvement orientation must be according to the requirements of the market and end users, not according to your own imagination.
Thinking about the product must be associated with convenience, speed and the lowest possible price
Always focus on process/product stability, correctness and reproducibility
Field Application Specialist
If you don't think you're passionate about science and have the acumen to be a good researcher, you might consider a career as a "Field Application Specialist" (FAS). To do this job, you can apply to a Vietnamese trading company or a multinational company specializing in the business of molecular biological equipment or chemicals. Some of the features of this profession are as follows:
Associated with the field of commerce, that is, trading and trading in equipment, chemical products
Not doing research. If so, just sit back and find documents to share solutions with customers.
Regularly communicate with customers, so you need to have an open and flexible mindset and mindset
Do everything for the purpose of serving customers and making money for the company
You can learn more about the job of Applied Biology here to answer the question "What should a molecular biology student do?".
Technicians at analytical service centers
According to my personal knowledge, currently in Ho Chi Minh City, there are no less than 10 public and private centers that perform sample analysis services by molecular biology techniques such as PCR, Real-time. PCR. The two most frequent services are:
Rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria or viruses in food (raw meats, processed foods, milk and dairy products, etc.)
GMO detection and quantification service in food samples (nuts, baking ingredients, seasoning powder, instant noodles, etc.)
To succeed in this profession, in addition to molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, Real-time PCR, you need to equip yourself with more knowledge about ISO processes, Vietnamese standards or international standards. on food safety and hygiene.
And here are the fourth potential jobs for those who ask, “What should a molecular biology student do?”
Process of analyzing food microbiology by Real-time PCR (Source: Internet)
Animal disease testing staff
This is the answer few teachers think about when they receive the question "What should a molecular biology student do?". But for me, this is an equally promising career for students studying molecular biology. I can summarize some of the main points about this profession as follows:
Nature of work: using molecular biology techniques such as PCR - Electrophoresis, Real-time PCR combined with microbiological culture techniques to detect pathogens in animals
Objects detected: viruses, bacteria causing diseases in brackish water shrimp such as white spot disease, acute hepatopancreatic necrosis, scurvy; viruses and bacteria causing diarrheal diseases or syndromes in pigs; viruses, mycoplasma causing respiratory diseases in chickens and ducks
Recruiting units: companies and corporations producing meat and eggs with their own herds of livestock and poultry; companies that produce shrimp seed and have commercial shrimp ponds; companies producing and supplying vaccines, veterinary drugs, aquatic products; the state veterinary and aquatic disease diagnosis centers; local veterinary departments; laboratories at institutes and schools with veterinary and fisheries majors.
Should learn more: knowledge of veterinary medicine, aquaculture including pathology, immunology, farming techniques, etc.
Within the limits of this article, it is difficult for me to describe the current job market to answer the reader most thoroughly the question "What should a molecular biology student do?". There are still professions such as research staff or new generation vaccine QC, hospital laboratory technician, university lecturer, etc. with a pretty good rate of getting a job. I hope through this article readers will have a broader view and be somewhat excited about the future of molecular biology.
