Biotechnologist

Biotechnologists are at the forefront of scientific innovation, harnessing the power of living organisms to develop groundbreaking solutions that address global challenges in health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. In the UK, their work not only drives economic growth but also enhances the quality of life for millions, making it a pivotal career for those passionate about science and its impact on society.

Biotechnologist

18

Biological Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO18%moving to63%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£24,000 - £29,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior BiotechnologistIn this entry-level role, you will assist in laboratory experiments, collect data, and support senior scientists in research projects.£24,000 - £29,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level BiotechnologistAt this stage, you will lead projects, mentor junior staff, and have a greater focus on data analysis and project management.£32,000 - £40,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Biotechnologist/Head of ResearchIn a senior role, you will oversee research teams, drive strategic initiatives, and represent your organisation at industry conferences.£45,000+
Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.


AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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