Also called: Antibody Engineer, Biologics Scientist
Redesigns proteins and antibodies so they fight disease better—like custom-building molecular tools.
Uses software to tweak the shape of an antibody, orders the DNA, and then grows and tests hundreds of variants to see which one locks onto a cancer cell best. Celebrates when one variant beats the original by 10x.
Industry estimate for biotech hubs (Boston, San Diego, SF).
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in biochemistry, bioengineering, or immunology.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Estimate; biologics are the fastest-growing drug class.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Tools like AlphaFold and generative design do much of the variant design; fewer designers per project, lab testing stays key.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1029.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.