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Advanced Manufacturing Construction Healthcare Information Technology Hospitality, Entertainment, Amusement, Recreation, & Tourism Life Sciences Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics About Career WebWhat Is Life Sciences?
The Life Sciences industry is the intersection of business and the study of natural sciences like biology and chemistry. It is an exciting, dynamic, and rapidly growing cluster that includes some of the most innovative, entrepreneurial, and high-tech companies in Northwest Indiana. At a basic level, Life Sciences take research and knowledge of microorganisms, human anatomy and physiology, and other areas of science to create new products, services, or new ways of doing business.
Businesses in this cluster incorporate research, development, and manufacturing, so there may not be clear lines between different types of businesses. A company can spend a lot of time and money inventing a new product or way of doing something and then switch gears and become a manufacturer of that newly patented product. Like life itself, the Life Sciences industry is changing all the time!
Where do Life Sciences Workers Work?
Here is a little secret: there really is no "Life Sciences" industry cluster in Northwest Indiana. Instead, many different types of companies engage in Life Sciences and can be found in advanced manufacturing, health care, or other fields. Many of these businesses you may never have realized actively rely on biology, chemistry, and research and development in the sciences. The top employers of Life Sciences workers in Northwest Indiana include:
Iron and Steel Mills
Many inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers begin their careers at the steel mills. The skills and knowledge they learn there can be transferred to hospitals, laboratories, and manufacturers of medicines and medical devices.
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
Medical and diagnostic laboratories analyze body fluids or diagnostic images such as CAT scans or X-Rays. They mostly offer their services to the medical professions or to patients on referral from a health care practitioner.
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing is one of Indiana’s fastest growing industry clusters. Several companies in Northwest Indiana are also in this industry. Their main line of business is the manufacturing of medicines, which requires extensive knowledge of medicines and biological products. These companies employ scientists and researchers as well as technicians that may assemble the products directly.
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
Like steel mills, motor vehicle parts manufacturers rely on inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers for quality control. Many manufacturers need workers that can precisely measure the products to ensure that everything meets exact dimensions and specifications. The skills for these types of jobs can be easily transferred to others in the Life Sciences career ladder.
Offices of Physicians
All doctors and nurses have to study biology and chemistry in order to properly diagnose a patient as well as analyze a skin or fluid sample. Some physicians work side-by-side with chemical and biological technicians, and medical laboratory technicians and technologists in order to diagnose patients.
Plastics Product Manufacturing
Many of the most advanced medical and clinical devices on the market today use plastics. Examples include orthopedic limbs, artificial hearts, and other medical technologies. Biomedical engineers have been trained to design these devices to save lives or improve the quality of life. Plastics product manufacturers hire these highly-trained engineers for designing, developing, and testing.
Testing Laboratories
When a physician collects a skin or fluid sample, they will often send it to a testing laboratory. There, highly trained technicians, technologists, biochemists, or biophysicists will use the most advanced technologies to determine make a proper diagnosis.
Career Ladders
Why a Career Ladder?
A Career Ladder is a family of related jobs. You may be in one job along the Career Ladder for a few months or years. In order to move up, you will need on-the-job training and experience, formal education (in a classroom), or a combination of both.
Use the tabs above to navigate the career ladder. Each tab contains a couple of jobs that are typical for that rung on the ladder. Click on the job title to read about how much you can earn, what type of education you need, and more. Then, move on to the next tab to see what future jobs are possible with the right experience and training. Each job description has links to great websites you can use to learn more or even begin your job search today.
A special note on the career ladder for Life Sciences
This Career Ladder was developed by the Center of Workforce Innovations, Inc. To move up and long the Career Ladder for other clusters, an individual uses their experience to access higher-level (and higher wage) careers. In Life Sciences, you will need more education to move up.
The Entry Level careers all require an Associate’s (Two-Year) Degree. The Mid-Level Careers call for a Bachelor’s Degree or higher while the Advanced Level Careers all require an advanced degree such as a Master’s or Ph.D. in that field.
Life Sciences is an industry of the future, and careers in this field will require more training and education than in other career clusters. The payoff? Wages are higher and job openings are plentiful in the Life Sciences Career Cluster!
What is this career?
Chemical Technicians work with scientists in a laboratory or out "in the field" to test and analyze samples and materials. They assist in research and development of new products, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical applications of chemistry and related sciences.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Associate's Degree or Higher in Applied Sciences
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $14.96/hour or $31,120/year
Median: $18.11/hour or $37,660/year
Experienced: $21.61/hour or $44,960/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Job growth for chemical technicians is expected to be best in the medical manufacturing and pharmaceuticals industries. An increasing focus on quality will require more process technicians and quality control specialists, increasing demand for this occupations.
Source: Based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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What is this career?
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers are critically important in maintaining the highest quality and standards for manufactured goods and products. These workers inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations. They may use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Moderate-Term On-The-Job Training and/or Certification
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $11.38/hour or $23,670/year
Median: $14.47/hour or $30,100/year
Experienced: $18.87/hour or $39,250/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Increasing automation and incorporation of new technologies should continue to improve productivity for manufacturers. For many types of businesses in the manufacturing industry, inspection duties are being outsourced or automated. However, more complex and new products from the Life Sciences Industry will require more inspectors that are trained in the latest technologies.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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What is this career?
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians perform many routine medical laboratory tests. These tests help diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases for patients. The Technician may work under the supervision of a medical technologist.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Associate's Degree or Certification
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $12.43/hour or $25,850/year
Median: $15.36/hour or $31,950/year
Experienced: $19.81/hour or $41,200/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Rapid job growth and excellent job opportunities are expected for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians. The increase in demand for healthcare will require more tests and laboratory workers. Most jobs will continue to be in hospitals, but employment will grow faster in other settings.
Source: Based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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What is this career?
Biological Technicians assist scientists and medical professionals in laboratories. They set up, operate, and maintain lab equipment, monitor experiments, make observations, and calculate and record results. They may also analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Bachelor's Degree
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $14.43/hour or $30,010/year
Median: $18.10/hour or $37,640/year
Experienced: $22.11/hour or $45,990/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Biological Technicians should see plenty of job opportunities as the profession is expected to increase faster than average. A growing number of agricultural and medicinal products require these workers for production and quality control. Also, an aging population and stronger competition among pharmaceutical companies are expected to contribute to the need for innovative and improved drugs, further spurring demand. Most growth in employment will be in professional, scientific, and technical services and in educational services.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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What is this career?
Chemists conduct analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $22.57/hour or $46,940/year
Median: $35.00/hour or $72,810/year
Experienced: $52.18/hour or $108,530/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Employment for Chemists is expected to grow at close to the same rate as for all occupations. Competition for some jobs may be best for people with an advanced degree. Employment growth in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology should be excellent as companies try to develop new and better products. Prospects should be best within the Life Sciences.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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What is this career?
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists perform complex medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. They may also be responsible for training or supervising staff.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Bachelor's Degree
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $19.38/hour or $40,310/year
Median: $22.59/hour or $46,980/year
Experienced: $26.41/hour or $54,930/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow at a rapid pace with many job openings. Most jobs will continue to be in hospitals, but employment will grow faster in other settings.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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What is this career?
Biochemists and Biophysicists study the chemical composition and physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and other issues. They may conduct research or the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and life itself.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Doctoral Degree
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $42.18/hour or $87,740/year
Median: $51.90/hour or $107,940/year
Experienced: $59.08/hour or $122,890/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Biochemists and Biophysicists take their knowledge of life and help bring products or technologies to market. They often work on long-term research projects, which are immune to recessions and bad economic conditions. A greater understanding of biology is increasing the demand for more of these highly trained scientists.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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What is this career?
Biomedical Engineers design, develop, and evaluate artifical organs, prosthetic limbs, instruments, other medical technologies, and health management and care delivery systems. Through a combination of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles, Biomedical Engineers are helping to make like better for millions.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $27.56/hour or $57,310/year
Median: $32.56/hour or $67,720/year
Experienced: $38.76/hour or $80,610/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Employment of Biomedical Engineers is expected to grow at a very fast rate, much faster than for other types of engineers or other jobs. The aging of the population and the focus on health issues will drive demand for better medical devices and equipment designed by biomedical engineers. Along with the demand for more sophisticated medical equipment and procedures, an increased concern for cost-effectiveness will boost demand for biomedical engineers, particularly in pharmaceutical manufacturing and related industries. A graduate degree is recommended for the best job opportunities.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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What is this career?
Microbiologists investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms. They study bacteria, algea, or fungi in order to develop new drugs or products to improve the lives of others.
Source: This description is based on information from O*NET, which is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
What kind of education will I need?
Doctoral Degree
How much can I earn?
Entry Level: $16.85/hour or $35,040/year
Median: $22.11/hour or $45,980/year
Experienced: $51.29/hour or $106,680/year
Note: Wage data for the state of Indiana in 2006
Source: OES Wage Unit
What is the future for this career?
Job prospects for biotechnological jobs is driven by access to Federal research grants. If you are able to secure funding, you should be able to keep your employment for the length of the grant, which can last a long time. New forms us science, such as bioinformatics and nanotechnology are creating new opportunities. Efforts to discover new and better ways to clean up the environment should lead to increased employment as well.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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