Individuals with advanced scientific knowledge and abilities conduct and guide research. The role and responsibility of researchers varies with their individual skills and expertise. Laboratory technicians perform various maintenance tasks in laboratories.

Most laboratory technicians have master's degrees, but opportunities are available for those with bachelor's degrees or high school diplomas. The functions performed by technicians range from maintaining stocks of reagents and research supplies to performing or supervising routine operations and performing supervised research experiments.

Opportunities for individuals with Ph.D.s, who may or may not have post-doctoral training, vary from research team members to core facility managers. Initial posts for young scientists are as members of research teams. After developing specialized expertise, seasoned scientists may lead research teams, plan and manage multiple research projects, and run labs.

The scientists who work in biotechnology companies are generally biologists, chemists, and physicians. A scientist's background will affect what roles they will perform. Chemists, for example, will most likely find themselves engaged in early drug discovery. Developing potential drugs in preparation for clinical trials will likely involve pharmacologists, whereas running clinical trials requires physicians.

Non-research roles such as consulting, patent law, and senior management positions require intimate knowledge of scientific fundamentals and research dynamics. Although individuals in these fields do not necessarily