Biotechnology jobs in Canada have a huge scope for newcomers arriving in this country. With a vast network of research hospitals, universities, labs, and businesses, Canada is a global leader in biotechnology (bio-economy). The national sector council for the biotechnology industry is called BioTalent Canada. You will have opportunities if you are a newbie or intend to immigrate to Canada and have experience in this field. Careers in biotechnology are available in Canada for technologists and technicians in both lab and field settings. Earn a comfortable livelihood in the biotechnology industry. This useful summary will help you learn more about the qualifications for biotechnology jobs in Canada.
Canadian immigration as a biotechnology worker
You may start your biotechnology career in Canada off on the right foot by taking the necessary steps to get ready. Here are some actions you may do before moving to increase your chances of landing a biotechnology job:
- Do research the Canadian labor market to find out what abilities, knowledge, and credentials you need.
- Learn about the state of the labor market by attending the free webinar What to Know About the Canadian Job Market.
- To discover how to sell your experience to companies and assess your readiness for employment in Canada’s biotechnology sector, check out the tools BioTalent Canada provides.
- Take a self-assessment of your language abilities on the official website of the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.
- Develop your linguistic abilities. Because English is the industry standard for communication in the bioeconomy, you need to be fluent in the language to practice your career.
- Enroll in language classes back home and carry them to your arrival in Canada. Even if you speak English or French well, developing your linguistic abilities is beneficial.
- While you are still in your home country, collect and arrange your formal employment, educational, and identity documents. You might need to contact a translation agency if your documents are unavailable in English or French.
- Learn about the processes, policies, and regulations that apply to the biotechnology industry in the province where you plan to settle.
- Make a list of potential employers and be aware of the name of your position in Canada.
- Seek information on biotechnology salaries and benefits. Plans for biotechnology pay and compensation might differ significantly according to the area, business, and other factors.
Biotechnology jobs in Canada – what to expect in the future?
There are several conditions you must fulfill in order to work in biotechnology in Canada. These requirements include:
- Working as a biological technologist often requires completing a two- or three-year college degree in agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife, or resource management.
- To work as a biological technician, one must complete a one- to two-year college program in a relevant subject.
It will be essential for candidates to display provincial certifications such as a master’s degree or a university degree to acquire advanced-level of biotechnology jobs in Canada.
The overall scenario of biotechnology jobs in Canada
Close-up on the Bio-Economy, national research predicts that by 2024, there will be a talent shortage across all sectors of Canada’s bioeconomy. And according to the analysis, 65,000 more workers will be required by 2029. Given the skills shortage, internationally educated professionals will be a priceless source of talent. For those who have the proper qualifications and recent immigration experience, this could be a fantastic opportunity.
Nearly half of the jobs in the bio-economy sector in Canada are in research and development, which spans a wide range of professions. While Canada anticipates a labor shortfall for all positions in the economy, three sectors will face a particularly acute shortage until 2029:
- Jobs related to manufacturing and production.
- Jobs – Management, Finance, and Administration.
- Distribution and Logistics.
Before moving to Canada, you must thoroughly examine the local, regional, and national biotechnology job markets. Make sure you comprehend the qualifications for the position and the license requirements. If your job title is regulated, you might require certification before you can work in Canada.
Biotechnology jobs in Canada – what are their requirements?
The criteria for a biotechnology career can change depending on your career ambitions. You might have to go through a bridging program, skills development, or credential recognition process. The actions you must do to work in the biotechnology field in Canada are listed below.
It’s critical to conduct research, create a job search strategy, and comprehend the precise skill needs for your profession. The website of BioTalent Canada is a good place to start.
The BioSkills Recognition Program assists individuals with international training in filling in gaps and adhering to Canadian standards. The program will identify your skills and put you in touch with firms in the industry.
If you can work legally in Canada and speak English well, you are eligible to apply for this program.
An overview of your competencies, credentials, and skills can be included while you are still in your home country. Once you get to Canada, you might have to participate in a practical test observation.
You will need to be a BioReadyTM once your talents become identifiable. Furthermore, it means you have proven you possess the abilities to perform a particular job function and are eligible to work in the Canadian biotech sector. If your talents aren’t evident for some reason, you must improve them so you may join the program later.
Additionally, you can enroll in an online BioSynergy Program to aid in your workplace integration. The curriculum contains modules on lifelong learning, leadership abilities, interpersonal connections, and effective communication. You can access a coaching module if you want a mentor.
Credential Assessment Services
Get in touch with the college or university you intend to attend if you want to participate in a program to improve your skills. The school can help you with the application procedure and recommend a credential evaluation company.
Make sure to emphasize your experience and education abroad. Before continuing your education, try to expand on your current knowledge and abilities and carefully investigate your possibilities for university and college.
You might qualify for advanced standing, credit transfer, and opportunities for prior learning assessment.
You might be eligible for course exemptions or credit based on your overseas credentials and expertise. By doing this, you can finish your program more quickly without paying additional money or repeating your previous education.
Here are some credentials evaluation services you might want to think about:
- Alberta’s International Qualifications Assessment Service
- World Education Services
- The International Credential Evaluation Service
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Services
Biotechnology career – meeting the requirements through skill upgradation
If you want to work in Canada’s bio-economy, upgrading your education and abilities through a bridging program or other classes and workshops may be crucial.
Soft skills, which are personal qualities that improve your interactions, work performance, and career possibilities in biotechnology, are all that any Canadian business would value.
In contrast to your hard skills, your soft talents are more widely applicable.
Soft skills like leadership, collaboration, and communication are crucial for biotech professionals. As an individual working in biotechnology, you are expected to collaborate with people from many different groups, work well in a team, and possess good verbal and writing skills.
You’ll be evaluated on your basic communication abilities as well as your technical knowledge in addition to listening and writing. If your hard skills land you an interview, your soft skills will probably land you the job and help you succeed there.
Building a biotechnology career in Canada through language training
Even if you have excellent technical skills, it is sometimes not enough to land a job or keep one once you do. You could require additional training or skill development, particularly in teamwork and communication.
Your future in Canada depends on your proficiency in either English or French or both. It will rely on which of the two languages is spoken by the majority in the area where you intend to live, whether you decide to concentrate on learning or developing English, the working language in the industry, or French, the other official language of the nation.
You might be qualified for the LINC program (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada). Otherwise, school boards or settlement organizations may offer additional free or reasonably priced English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) programs.
You can also take language classes to learn professional jargon, such as Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) and job-specific language training. Additionally, studying French is an excellent alternative if you already speak English well because it may open up more career prospects for you.
What are the bridging programs related to biotechnology in Canada?
You can “bridge” your international experience and training to Canadian workplaces with the aid of these programs. Bridging programs are provided by numerous colleges, universities, and organizations that assist immigrants. You might be qualified for one. To choose a program that’s right for you, do some research.
Ontario – Mississauga (University of Toronto)
An intense certificate in Canadian Biotechnology Enterprise is available through this curriculum. Canadian biotechnology and biopolicy, language instruction for particular occupations, and training in office culture and communications are all offered as courses. Additionally, the program provides coaching, mentorship, and job resources.
Canadian biotechnology schools
Canada is a leader in biotechnology and home to some of the best universities in the world. After moving to Canada, a lot of immigrants continue their studies. Some even wish to use a Ph.D. or MBA to shift careers or advance their biotechnology careers.
In Canada, more than 30 institutions provide biotechnology courses and degree programs. These institutions offer numerous biotechnology programs and areas of specialty. You can sign up for courses and programs at the master’s, doctoral, and diploma levels.
You must consider the following top-notch universities in Canada:
- University of British Columbia
- University of Waterloo
- McMaster University
- University of Toronto
- Simon Fraser University
- University of Calgary
- Queen’s University
- University of Manitoba
Additionally, one must also consider the following reputed colleges in Canada:
- Durham College
- Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology
- Fanshawe College
- Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology
- Algonquin College
- Fleming College
- Seneca College
Canadian Biotechnology associations
A national industry body called BioTalent Canada offers details on certification and licensing. Additionally, it provides tools, networking opportunities, education, and professional growth.
You can find information on understanding the Canadian workplace, learning a language unique to your profession, using documents effectively, and developing critical thinking abilities. To better understand the Canadian sector, its potential, and its difficulties, the website also provides news and labor market analysis.
What about the networks for professional immigrants?
Professional immigrant networks are formally established, volunteer-run organizations or networks that were developed by and for immigrant professionals with the following objectives:
- Give possibilities for their members to obtain fulfilling work.
- Realize their professional ambitions by creating a platform to support and enrich their individual communities.
These organizations provide networking opportunities, career contacts, mentoring, information sessions, and professional development possibilities. Make use of the following:
- Professional Immigrant Networks – Ontario (Toronto)
- Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council – Alberta
- Nova Scotia – Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia
Earnings of Biotechnologists in Canada
According to the Canada Job Bank, the national biotechnology hourly wage ranges from a low of $17.28 to a high of $37.95 (based on 2022 statistics). This indicates that a yearly compensation might range from $35,942 to $78,936 based on a 40-hour workday.
Numerous factors, including your work title, credentials, education, experience, and location, determine your salary in the field of biotechnology. British Columbia has the lowest median biotechnology wage. Saskatchewan and Yukon have the highest rates.
Canadian provinces for biotechnology jobs in Canada – salary and lifestyle
A fascinating and rapidly expanding discipline, biotechnology combines biology with engineering and technology. By 2029, Canada’s bioeconomy will probably need 65,000 more workers. Biotechnologists are in high demand because of their uses in agriculture, medicine, and other industries. Find out where there is a greater need for your particular biotech knowledge before determining where you wish to relocate to Canada.
Although there may be employment available across Canada, you might find that there are some areas or locations where the demand is higher. Larger cities typically provide more work options. With approximately 70 local biotech companies, Vancouver is a top choice. Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal are also excellent choices.
Securing biotechnology jobs in Canada – who are the major employers?
The majority of biotechnology businesses in Canada are small to medium-sized enterprises. They can participate in different phases of product development, including research, clinical and regulatory trials, production, and marketing, as they are cross-sectoral.
There are professional prospects in biotechnology in the fields of agriculture, biosciences, environment, health, industrial applications, natural resources, nanotechnology, and genomics due to a skills shortage in Canada.
Canadian employers for biotechnology jobs
The best Canadian employers for biotechnology careers in Canada are as follows:
- BELLUS Health
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals
- Amgen
- Zymewire
- Deep Genomics
- Altis Labs
- NervGen Pharm
- ESSA Pharma
- AstraZeneca
Seeking your first biotechnology job in Canada – what is the process?
Given a labor shortage in more than one-third of businesses, Canada’s forecast for biotechnology jobs is favorable. But since there is job competition in Canada, you must prepare for your job search. Furthermore, searching for biotechnology jobs in Canada could differ from searching in your home country. The advice offered below can assist you in getting ready for a fruitful job search:
- Expand the scope of your search and take other biotechnology industries and jobs into account.
- Find a mentor in the biotechnology field, such as a retired biotechnologist, who can offer you insightful counsel and possibly connect you with their network of contacts.
- Join networking or job-searching groups for businesspeople through organizations that assist immigrants.
- Join networking or job-searching groups for businesspeople through organizations that assist immigrants.
Examine job boards frequently and go to industry employment fairs. - Obtain assistance from your industry contacts. Inform them that you are looking for a job and want to network with people in the business. You’ll have an advantage if someone well-known in the biotech industry can send a potential employer your CV rather than you doing it yourself.
- Check out The Petri Dish, the job database from BioTalent Canada. You can publish your résumé here, browse job positions, and sign up for job alerts. Some groups or colleges might have a job bank or recommend a website that posts jobs for hire.
Engage with immigrant settlement organizations
Usually, settlement organizations provide free assistance with job searching, updating your CV, creating a Canadian-style resume, and interview preparation.
Writing Tips for a Biotechnology Resume
There are various approaches to creating a resume for the biotech industry. However, most industry experts would concur on a few standards for crafting the ideal resume. This may impact your career prospects, the number of interview calls you get, and even your biotechnology income.
The Achievements
You can be quite modest and not value your achievements as highly as the rest of the world, like the majority of scientists. List your biotech-related accomplishments and most pertinent qualities while writing your CV.
Make sure to highlight your accomplishments in your CV right away, including your degree or top-tier school, any articles you may have written in prestigious biotechnology publications, your patented work, and any honors or awards you have won.
Experience
Resumes for the biotech sector are arranged chronologically, starting with your most recent experience. Mention your previous employment, including any internships, consulting, and volunteer positions.
In general, hiring managers seek out candidates with distinctive accomplishments for positions in the science business. You should, therefore, include both the things you have accomplished and the things you have done.
Consult with several individuals
Ask those who work at biotech companies or career counselors in the field for their best advice on what the industry expects from a CV.
Informational interviews
Although the job market for biotechnologists appears promising, novices, in particular, may need to put in more effort and outreach to secure their next opportunity. To do this, one strategy is to ask for an “informational interview.” You arrange a brief (20–30 minute) appointment with someone currently employed in the biotechnology sector to learn more about the industry in Canada.
In order to improve your communication, research, and interpersonal skills for your job hunt, informational interviews can be a terrific tool.
During an informative interview, you shouldn’t aim to land a job; instead, you should determine whether a particular role or employer could be a suitable fit for you. A network contact from your network can be a fantastic resource for career information during an informational interview. It gives you the advantage of a professional’s first-hand experiences and impressions in addition to fundamental facts on a specific business (like what you may discover on a corporate website).
Make a list of the local biotechnology firms that are active. Utilize LinkedIn, business associations, and other networking resources to find contacts with whom you may set up an informational interview.
Developing biotechnology career networking tips
In Canada, networking is an essential activity that can help you find employment leads, learn about the industry, and connect with people in your sector. Additionally, because many job openings go unnoticed, members of your network can assist you in finding positions in this “hidden job market.” Careers in biotechnology are also affected by this.
By networking with other experts, forming connections, and exchanging knowledge, you’ll gain advantages. You might even learn about employment openings you never would have discovered online. Even greater biotechnology pay can result from it.
Conferences, professional organizations, and online communities like LinkedIn are great networking venues. LinkedIn is a terrific place to find old friends and employers, look for businesses and opportunities you’re interested in, and network with people in your industry. A similar professional group might be joined as well. But keep in mind that you need to give the connections you make through networking time to develop and thrive.
What are the best techniques concerning biotechnology job interviews in Canada?
Whether you are interested in bioengineering, pharmacy, medicine, or agriculture, the future of the biotech sector appears promising. You will need to nail the interview to get the job. Here are some useful hints for getting ready for a biotechnology interview.
Find employment opportunities
You must first locate a job opportunity in order to be contacted for an interview. Check internet classifieds regularly, as well as other niche websites like The PetriDish that solely post biotech job openings. Additionally, look at the websites of large to medium-sized pharmaceutical corporations. When you find a position, see whether you know somebody who works there. whether you get in touch, your application will probably get greater consideration.
Keep up with business news
Maintaining a current understanding of the Canadian market will help you demonstrate your expertise in interviews confidently.
Show off your technical skills
Your potential employer will ask you questions to assess your suitability for the position because they haven’t observed you working in the lab. To evaluate your breadth of technical knowledge, you can be asked to respond to a hypothetical inquiry.
Develop Your Multidisciplinary Knowledge
Numerous fields cross with biotech. Thus, it’s crucial to be aware of those that are also closely related. So, when studying or working, be careful to speak with people from all fields and backgrounds.
The forecast for biotechnology jobs in Canada is promising, so it’s a good idea to explore your choices right away.
