The Skills Gap in Biotechnology Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching
Biotechnology sits at the intersection of science, innovation and real-world impact. From life-saving medicines and diagnostics to sustainable agriculture, industrial bioprocessing and personalised healthcare, biotech plays a critical role in the UK economy. Yet despite strong graduate numbers and world-class universities, employers across the biotechnology sector continue to report a growing skills gap. Vacancies remain unfilled. Graduates struggle to secure their first roles. Hiring managers cite a lack of job-ready candidates. The issue is not intelligence or academic ability. It is preparation. Universities are producing scientifically knowledgeable graduates who are often not ready for modern biotechnology jobs. This article explores the biotechnology skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what is missing from many degrees, why the gap exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build sustainable careers in biotech.
