Biotechnology R&D Manager
Impact: Advancing medical science, developing new therapies, and improving human health.
Directs and oversees research and development activities in biotechnology, leading scientific teams to innovate and bring new products to market.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 70% Team / 30% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- Very High
- Travel
- 10-20% domestic and international for conferences and collaborations
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 50-60 hours/week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $150,000
- Entry-level
- $90,000 - $120,000
- Senior
- $180,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 10% (faster than average)
- Demand
- Growing Fast
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High to 100-120% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- $80,000 - $150,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Biotechnology
- Project Management
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Culture
- Data Analysis
- Regulatory Affairs
- Grant Writing
- Clinical Trials
Soft skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Strategic Thinking
- Adaptability
- Mentorship
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Doctoral or Professional Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8 years
- Years to senior
- 10-15 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Research Scientist
- Senior Research Scientist
- Project Lead
- R&D Manager
- Director of R&D
- VP of Research
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 15% to low risk
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing Fast
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.9/10
- Meaning
- 4.2/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.2/10
- Prestige
- 8.5/10
- Social perception
- High