A career that changes lives — even yours!

Find your path to a rewarding life sciences career in North Carolina.

Choose an option below to get started.

Training

From certifications to advanced degrees, there are careers available across the state for a wide range of education levels.

Career Quiz

Narrow down your career options based on your established skill sets, and learn which jobs you’re already suited for.

Join a field with global impacts.

Across North Carolina, life sciences companies of all sizes are working on treatments that will impact people across the world.

In moving that research along, the help of contract research organizations, diagnostic testing companies, and biopharma manufacturers is invaluable — and they need help from people like you to improve and save lives.

Careers in these industries range from medical writing and project management to quality assurance and process engineering. Explore some of the careers available, find an option that fits your skills and personality, and contribute to work that changes lives.

Success Stories

Hear stories firsthand from people who have pursued a career in the life sciences — and add your story to the long list of successes.

See More Success Stories

Job Types

The life sciences industry covers a variety of job types, no matter your skillset or education level. Explore some of the featured job types, and find your new career.

Biopharma manufacturing is used here to describe the production of a broad range of medicines that save, sustain, and improve lives. In North Carolina, life sciences companies use advanced technologies and specialized processes to make everything from pills to flu vaccines, cancer treatments, cutting edge gene therapies, and more.

Contract research organizations (CROs) provide a range of services to support and advance the work of pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The specialized services of CROs are critical in preclinical research to assess drug candidates and clinical research to ensure new medicines are safe and effective. Similar to CROs, companies offering diagnostic tests are service based, developing and performing tests to evaluate patient samples. Diagnostic testing provides important measurements for clinical trials and is an essential tool for physicians to confirm illness, develop treatment plan, and even prevent disease.

Manufacturing Associate

Process technicians plan both the big picture and the details, keeping all systems running as they should by planning, evaluating, and analyzing workflows.

Maintenance and/or Instrumentation Technician

Both maintenance and instrumentation technicians are responsible for all things equipment, including calibrating, maintaining, installing, repairing, and more.

Process Development Scientist

Process development scientists use problem-solving and creativity to come up with the processes used in research, then use technology to monitor production.

Process Engineer

Similar to process technicians and development scientists, process engineers oversee systems by designing, controlling, and operating the transformation of raw materials into valuable products.

Quality Assurance

A job for the detailed-oriented, quality assurance specialists inspect and monitor both products and procedures in order to ensure they’re up to industry standards.

Quality Control

Quality control specialists handle standards with equipment and lab environments, ensuring that tests are run in the proper environment and communicating improvements to other lab members.

Manufacturing Associate

Process technicians plan both the big picture and the details, keeping all systems running as they should by planning, evaluating, and analyzing workflows.

Maintenance and/or Instrumentation Technician

Both maintenance and instrumentation technicians are responsible for all things equipment, including calibrating, maintaining, installing, repairing, and more.

Process Development Scientist

Process development scientists use problem-solving and creativity to come up with the processes used in research, then use technology to monitor production.

Process Engineer

Similar to process technicians and development scientists, process engineers oversee systems by designing, controlling, and operating the transformation of raw materials into valuable products.

Quality Assurance

A job for the detailed-oriented, quality assurance specialists inspect and monitor both products and procedures in order to ensure they’re up to industry standards.

Quality Control

Quality control specialists handle standards with equipment and lab environments, ensuring that tests are run in the proper environment and communicating improvements to other lab members.

Specimen Accessioner

A specimen accessioner catalogs samples and specimens for review, then sends their findings to doctors or lab professionals for further research and analysis.

Laboratory Technician

A lab technician gathers and chemically analyzes samples, preparing solutions and aiding in all things related to lab equipment upkeep and maintenance in order to do so.

Data Coordinator

Data coordinators manage information for ongoing clinical trials to ensure the quality and record the results of the trial.

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical research associates supervise each stage of a trial including selecting a site, giving instructions for properly running trials, and closing out the site and completing paperwork once the trial has concluded.

Bioinformatician

Combining biology, computer science, and math to interpret and analyze data, bioinformaticians problem-solve in order to accomplish research goals.

Scientist

From testing a drug formula to optimizing its shelf-life, scientists at CROs are responsible for overseeing the steps in drug development that lead up to clinical trials.

Specimen Accessioner

A specimen accessioner catalogs samples and specimens for review, then sends their findings to doctors or lab professionals for further research and analysis.

Laboratory Technician

A lab technician gathers and chemically analyzes samples, preparing solutions and aiding in all things related to lab equipment upkeep and maintenance in order to do so.

Data Coordinator

Data coordinators manage information for ongoing clinical trials to ensure the quality and record the results of the trial.

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical research associates supervise each stage of a trial including selecting a site, giving instructions for properly running trials, and closing out the site and completing paperwork once the trial has concluded.

Bioinformatician

Combining biology, computer science, and math to interpret and analyze data, bioinformaticians problem-solve in order to accomplish research goals.

Scientist

From testing a drug formula to optimizing its shelf-life, scientists at CROs are responsible for overseeing the steps in drug development that lead up to clinical trials.

Entry-Level Salaries

The average entry-level salaries for life sciences careers vary based on education levels. By seeking more training, you increase your potential to earn a higher salary.

Education Levels

Not all life sciences jobs require advanced degrees. In fact, some may simply require specific certifications and courses. Explore careers available at varying education levels, and find opportunities to further your training.

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Certificates & Courses

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Associate Degrees

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Bachelor's Degrees

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Master's Degrees

Find Training and Jobs Near You

With one of the largest life sciences ecosystems in the country, North Carolina employs more than 70,000 people in a variety of fields. Use the map below to find life sciences companies and training programs in your area.

Biopharma Manufacturing Companies

Diagnostic & Preclinical Companies

Contract Research Companies

Research & Development Companies

Universities

Commmunity Colleges

Community Colleges Offering BioWork

Header image photo credit: Mayne Pharma / Rob Taylor