The M.Sc Applied Genetics students have ample job opportunities across different industries. They are mainly hired in biotechnology and microbiology industries. Although there are many job roles, in this article we have tried to discuss a few important job roles that offer excellent growth opportunities for the M.Sc Applied Genetics students.
Academic Researcher
Academic Researchers carry out original and high-level research that generates new knowledge and progresses current understanding of the field of genomics and gene technology. They are responsible to understand the subject of Applied Genetics and try to elaborate in their works about the inventions and discoveries in the field of genetics that help mankind.
Role of an Academic Researcher
As an academic researcher one will have to apply the expertise and skills developed through study and research in the field of genomics and gene technology. As an academic researcher one will have to publish papers of the scientific works and showcase the results obtained by the different genetic engineering techniques.
Responsibilities of an Academic Researcher
As an Academic Researcher one is required to:
- Carry out the original and high-level individual and collaborative research with other team members
- Analyse large sets of data and information to draw relevant conclusions
- Work to deadlines as required by fund or grant holder
- Prepare and deliver presentations at national and international conferences to large audiences
- Participate in group meetings with other researchers and support staff
- Apply for sources of external funding to that provided by the employer
- Undertake thorough and comprehensive genomics and genetic engineering related literature reviews
- Develop knowledge and skills relating to the latest techniques and applications relevant to Applied genetics
- Plan and develop future research objectives and proposals in the field of applied genetics
Salary and Emoluments
- The fresh M.Sc Applied Genetics students will earn about 5 to 7 lakhs per annum as an Academic Researcher
- The experienced professionals will earn about 8 lakhs to 12 lakhs per annum
Genetic Counsellor
Genetic counsellor is responsible to help the patients and their families to understand and make informed decisions about the range of genetic conditions. They are required to counsel the parents with genetic problems who are planning for kids.
Role of Genetic Counsellor
As a genetic counsellor one is responsible to interpret and explain genetic information to patients and to support them and their families to make use of this information. The genetic counsellors are responsible to help the expecting parents to understand the medical facts, including how heredity factors contribute to their condition and the options of dealing with the risk of recurrences
Responsibilities of a Genetic Counsellor
As a genetic counsellor one is needed to:
- Manage the caseload of patients mostly through face to face interactions, although on some occasions over the phone
- Interpret family and medical histories to calculate the risk of condition occurrence or recurrence
- Educate patients about inheritance, testing, management prevention resources and research
- Use counselling skills to promote informed choices and help patients adapt to the risk or condition
- Deal with psychological and ethical issues raised by individuals and their families
- Order genetic tests and arrange medical and diagnostic testing as well as testing relatives for any genetic disorders
- Work with other medical and health care staff as a part of multidisciplinary team of genetic consultants, clinical scientists and other consultants to ensure appropriate follow up of patients
- Design and implement audits of clinical genetics
Salary & Emoluments
- An average fresh M.Sc Applied Genetics student will earn about 6 to 8 lakhs per annum as a Genetic Counsellor
- The experienced professionals may earn about 10 to 12 lakhs per annum
Research Scientist
Role of Research Scientist
As a research scientist one is required to plan and conduct experiments to increase the body of scientific knowledge on topics related to genes genetic engineering. As a research scientist he/she is required to improve existing gene therapy treatments and other genetically engineered products for the benefit of mankind with the help of gene manipulation and gene technologies.
Responsibilities of a Research Scientist
As a responsible research scientist, one is required to do the following:
- Plan and conduct experiments and analyse or interpret results
- Keep accurate records of work undertaken
- Use specialist computer software to analyse data and to produce diagrammatic representation of results
- Write and submit applications and progress reports to funding bodies, that support medical research
- Collaborate with industry, research institutes, hospitals and academia
- Carry out presentations or discussions at team meetings with colleagues
- Prepare presentations and deliver them at national and international scientific conferences
- Write original papers for publication in peer-reviews medical or scientific journals
- Read relevant scientific literature and journals to stay get updated
Salary & Emoluments
- An average fresh M.Sc Applied Genetics student will earn about 5 to 7 lakhs per annum as a research scientist
- The experienced professionals may earn about 8 to 12 lakhs per annum
Science Writer
Role of a Science Writer
As a science writer one is required to research, write and edit scientific news articles and features, for business, trade, professional publications, specialist scientific and technical journals and the public. They need to understand the complex scientific information theories and practices that are related to gene technology.
Responsibilities of a Science Writer
As a responsible science writer, one is needed to:
- Produce articles for publications in print and online according to agreed style and keeping to strict deadlines
- Conducting interviews with scientists, doctors and academics and establishing a network of in industry experts
- Attending academic and press conferences that are related to applied genetics and genetic engineering areas
- Visiting research establishments to understand about the technologies and genetic engineering techniques used for research and development
- Reading and researching specialist media and literature
- Attending meetings or taking part in conference calls with clients, scientists or other writers
- Conducting reference searches that are related to genomics and applied genetics
- Reviewing and amending work in response to editor feedback
Salary & Emoluments
- An average fresh M.Sc Applied Genetics student will earn about 6 to 8 lakhs per annum as a science writer
- The experienced professionals may earn about 8 to 10 lakhs per annum
Conclusion
Although there is a lot of demand for M.Sc Applied Genetics, lack of awareness among the students is acting as an hindrance. There are a huge number of companies that are in need of skilled professionals from genetics background. The M.Sc Applied Genetics students are readily hired by these companies for handsome salary packages. The M.Sc Applied Genetics students are required in large numbers in many biotechnology, microbiology, pharmaceutical companies, etc.
The students who have interest in genes and genetic applications can join the M.Sc Applied Genetics course and find lucrative job opportunities across different industries. The salaries are also high for skilled M.Sc Applied Genetics students and they can also expect good career growth in the field of M.Sc Applied genetics.