The COVID-19 pandemic affected many sectors, and the biotech sector was no exception. Although many companies in this industry were forced to take a step back on their staffing operations, some actually increased their hiring efforts. This article covers some of those biotech companies and jobs that became popular after the pandemic.
Now is a great time to consider tech jobs if you have technical skills. Besides, the biotechnology sector is valued at approximately $752 billion and is expected to keep growing. Keep reading to learn more about the best biotech companies, open positions, and the relative salaries.
Do Biotech Companies Hire Tech Workers?
Yes, biotechnology companies hire tech workers. Top companies in the biotechnology industry such as Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Eli Lilly and Company have different kinds of projects that require professionals with tech skills. Such skills include programming, Android development, software engineering, and database administration.
Which Experts are Biotech Companies Hiring?
- Biomedical Engineer: These professionals focus on the development of medical devices and equipment for the advancement of human health.
- Microbiologist: Microbiologists in a biotechnology company study microorganisms including bacteria, parasites, viruses, algae, and fungi.
- Business Development Engineer: These professionals study the biotech industry to identify potential markets and secure business development opportunities for biotech investors.
- Clinical Technician: Clinical technicians perform a variety of tests and clinical studies on specimens including blood tests and urinalysis.
- Medical Scientist: Medical scientists in a pharmaceutical company will study infectious diseases and determine methods to treat or prevent them.
Most In-Demand Skills in Biotech
- Immunogenicity
- Safety science
- Programming/coding
- Pharmacokinetics
- Math/statistics skills
Top 15 Biotech Companies to Work For
| Company | Global Workforce | Offices | Employee Benefits |
| Novartis | 108,000 | Panama, Ireland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Colombia, US, Denmark | Paid time off including personal days, vacations, parental leave, and holidays; health insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plans, employee discounts |
| Johnson & Johnson | 135,000 | US, India, Czech Republic | Parental leave, childcare benefits, pet insurance, student loan counseling, adoption, fertility, and surrogacy benefits, military benefits |
| Pfizer | 79,000 | Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Hong Kong, US, Israel, South Korea, Pakistan, South Africa | Temporary and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, health insurance, 401(k) plans, vacation, and paid time off |
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | 7,126 | US, Ireland | Health insurance, 401(k) plans, vacation, and paid time off |
| Jazz Pharmaceuticals | 2,856 | US, Spain, France, Germany, Dublin, Canada | 401(k) savings plans, identity theft insurance, sick days, accident and disability insurance, health insurance |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals | 4,121 | US, UK, France, Germany, Hong Kong | 401(k) savings plans, maternity and paid leave |
| Roche | 101,000 | US | Health insurance, 401(k) savings plans, maternity and paid leave, vacation and paid time off, employee discounts |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | 30,250 | US, Ireland, Germany,UK, Canada, Belgium, Japan, China | Medical and dental plans, 401(k) plans, paid maternity leave, paid time off |
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals | 3,000 | US | Annual incentive plans, family leave, education assistance, commuting benefits and allowances, equity program, paid caregiver leave |
| Merck & Co. | 74,000 | UK, Austria, Algeria, Canada, China, US, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Hungary, Japan | Compensation programs, paid parental leave, vacation, holidays, and year-end shutdown, retirement income benefits, pension plans, and 401(k) plans, health, life, business, travel, and disability insurance, flexible work arrangements |
| Ionis Pharmaceuticals | 757 | US | Medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) plans, stock options, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, vacations, long term disability insurance coverage |
| Abbott Laboratories | 109,000 | US, Switzerland | Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision care, flexible spending accounts, wellness programs, health savings account |
| Moderna | 1,800 | US | Education assistance plan, health and wellness programs, paid leave, 401(k) plans, flexible spending accounts Healthcare Reimbursement Account (HRA), vacation days, parental leave, |
| GlaxoSmithKline | 94,000 | Albania, Algeria, Argentina, China, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Lebanon, Netherlands, US | Annual bonus, healthcare and well-being programs, pension plans, employee recognition programs |
| Eli Lilly & Co | 35,000 | US | Health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, severance pay, accidental death insurance |
Top 5 Companies to Join in Biotech: A Closer Look
Johnson & Johnson
This company develops medical devices, consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In 2020, Johnson & Johnson made over $82 billion in sales. This 130-year-old company has received a lot of praise on employee review sites such as Indeed and Glassdoor for their organizational culture, work-life balance, and overall work culture.
Workers Employed by Johnson & Johnson
- IT Lead Data and Analytics Engineer
- ITSM Data Visualization Lead
- Technology Solutions Lead
- JJTS SC – Application Architect
- UX/UI Software Engineer
Current Job Openings at Johnson & Johnson
The following jobs were open as of February 2022:
- UX/UI Software Engineer | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): The main responsibilities in this role include designing, implementing, and maintaining all aspects of UX/UI across Johnson & Johnson data and analytics products and solutions.
- ITSM Data Visualization Lead | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): This role is responsible for creating and maintaining IT management dashboards using a variety of tools such as Power BI, Tableau, VividCharts, and ServiceNow Performance Analytics.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing medicine for patients with serious illnesses. This company consistently ranks on the Fortune 500 as one of the largest US corporations. Employees on Glassdoor have praised this company’s work environment and comprehensive benefits.
Workers Employed by Bristol Myers Squibb
- Immuno-Oncology Experts
- Physicians
- Researchers
- Clinicians
- Business Analysts
Current Job Openings at Bristol Myers Squibb
The following jobs were open as of February 2022:
- Senior Automation Engineer | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): Main responsibilities of this role include completing deliverables while crafting and the commission of GxP computerized systems. You’ll also provide support to project teams in the Computer System Maintenance Department.
- Information Technology Sr. Analyst | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): Responsibilities of this role include collaborating with various departments in capturing, and documenting requirements. These industry experts will also execute the development and implementation of new capabilities based on developed software solutions.
- Data Science Programmer (SAS) | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): The main responsibilities in this role include supporting the execution of data sciences activities, supporting the trail level activities, and the development of compounds across therapeutic areas.
Novartis
Novartis is a multinational pharma company based in Switzerland. This company operates in the European biotech industry. Novartis offers solutions in immunology and dermatology designed to improve and extend people’s lives. This includes drug therapies and treatments. According to Yahoo Finance, Novartis posted a revenue of approximately $52 billion in November 2021.
Workers Employed by Novartis
- Project Manager, Cloud Networks
- Solution Architect Data and Advanced Analytics
- Data Scientist, Discovery Chemistry
- Data Scientist
- Computational Biology Scientist
Current Job Openings at Novartis
The following jobs were open as of February 2022:
- Data Scientist | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): Data scientists at Novartis will collaborate with cross-functional quantitative partners in providing scientific and quantitative strategic input to aid the execution of drug development and medicine biomarker strategies.
- Automation Engineer | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): The main responsibilities of a Novartis automation engineer include designing, testing, installing, maintaining, and replacing automation systems.
- Product Manager, Cloud Networks | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): In this role, hirees will be responsible to ensure that sourced IT services are aligned with Novartis’ needs and goals.
Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly is one of the largest American pharmaceutical companies, with offices and research facilities in over 18 countries across the globe. This Nasdaq biopharmaceutical company is currently one of the largest manufacturers of psychiatric medications for related medical conditions, including clinical depression.
Workers Employed by Eli Lilly
- Research Scientist
- Automation Engineer
- Analytical Technician
- Financial Analyst
- Senior Automation Engineer
Current Job Openings at Eli Lilly
The following jobs were open as of February 2022:
- Android Developer | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): An Android developer’s main responsibilities include bringing Eli Lilly’s digital products and software to life. Candidates will design and build Android applications using Kotlin and Java.
- Research Scientist – Immunology | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): Using deep immunology knowledge and the discovery experience of drug therapies, a research scientist will help develop therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Pfizer
Pfizer is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and holds patents on many a blockbuster drug. This company’s operations involve the discovery, development, and manufacture of healthcare products and vaccines including COVID-19 vaccines.
Workers Employed by Pfizer
- Senior Scientist
- Chemist
- Solution Architect
- Mechanical Engineer
- Data Scientist
Current Job Openings at Pfizer
The following jobs were open as of February 2022:
- Scientist (non-PhD), Tumor Immunology | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): The main responsibilities of professionals in this role include designing and executing experiments using cellular and molecular immunology.
- Technical Associate, Clinical Manufacturing | (Salary Not Specified in Job Post): These industry experts will join a team responsible for cGMP production of Phase 1 or Phase 2 clinical drug substances that complement this company’s portfolio.
Where to Find Job Openings for Biotech Companies
Company websites are a great place to find open jobs without risking scams from online fraudsters. LinkedIn features thousands of jobs from biopharma companies. Job seekers can create job alerts and follow their desired companies to ensure they stay updated each time the company posts a new job.
BioPharmGuy
This website serves as an online directory of biotech companies and related jobs. It was founded by Adam Wilson in 2008. According to the company’s official webpage, BioPharmGuy has over 42,000 monthly unique visitors. It’s a decent website for those looking for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry.
BioSpace
BioSpace was launched in 1985 to provide insights and opportunities to connect to organizations across the globe. Other than biopharma jobs, this website features news, analysis, and hotbed maps.
Should I Get a Job in Biotech?
Yes, you should. Getting a tech-related job in the industry is very rewarding, and not just for the cutting-edge technology. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn about $92,620 per year, significantly higher than most US careers. This industry will also create over 1,000 jobs by 2030 as the demand for professionals rises.
You should get a job in biotech if it interested you and have or are willing to obtain the required qualifications and skills. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree to become eligible for most entry-level and non-managerial roles.
Biotech Companies FAQ
According to Statista, Johnson & Johnson is the top biotech company in the US concerning revenue. However, Fortune 500 suggests that the best biotechnology and pharmaceutical company to work for is Horizon Therapeutics.
Johnson & Johnson is a great example of a biotech company. Others include Vertex Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Gilead Sciences.
Yes, they do. Most companies in the biotech sector feature in the S&P 500 with billions of dollars in revenue. The Wall Street Journal published an article detailing sectors that pay well and concluded that companies in the biotechnology sector or the pharmaceuticals industry pay some of the highest salaries in the US.
According to Glassdoor, Johnson & Johnson is the best biotech company to work for. However, the Fortune 500 suggests that the best biotechnology and pharmaceutical company to work for is Horizon Therapeutics. Some of the best companies to work for include Medtronic, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, and Novartis.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
