The biotech boom in Canada is here. From regenerative medicine to AI-powered diagnostics and biomanufacturing, the Canadian biotech sector is rapidly expanding, creating new job opportunities for professionals with the right mix of scientific knowledge, technical skills, and hands-on experience. For students graduating with a biomedical sciences degree, the path forward is dynamic and full of possibility.
It’s a shift that the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is paying close attention to. With its Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, UNF is a hometown option for students in the Greater Hamilton-Toronto Area who want small classes, hands-on learning, and a career-focused education. Whether students are bound for medical school or curious about emerging job paths in biotech, the program is designed to get them there faster, smarter, and with a competitive edge.
“The program emphasizes hands-on training, critical thinking, and data analysis—all of which are essential skills for success in Canada’s biotech and health sciences sectors,” says Anthony Ariza, Assistant Professor in the biomedical sciences program at UNF.
So, what exactly are biotech companies in Canada looking for in new grads? And, who’s hiring?
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology uses biology as the basis for developing new products and technologies. It involves using living organisms, biological systems, and cellular and molecular processes to create products that improve people’s everyday lives.
For example, some biotechnology companies might produce vaccines that reduce the rates of infectious diseases, while some may create genetically-modified organisms to boost crop growth, and others may use microbes in manufacturing processes to produce sustainable biofuels.
The biotech career landscape in Canada: From clean rooms to clinical trials
In Canada, there are more than 2,000 life sciences companies that employ as many as 220,000 people, according to the Royal Bank of Canada. At the same time, BIOTECanada, a national industry association, has more than 230 member companies, highlighting how the biotech sector is burgeoning across the country.
According to Rob Henderson—President and CEO at BioTalent Canada, a national association aimed at strengthening the bioeconomy—80 percent of biotech companies are small- or medium-sized enterprises, many with teams of fewer than 15 people. That means new grads are expected to wear many hats and be ready to hit the ground running. “It’s usually in those small companies that the last thing that defines you is your job title,” Henderson says.
For Ariza, biomedical sciences graduates are well-prepared for many roles in the biotech sector, which is constantly looking to hire qualified professionals. “As Canada’s biotech sector continues to expand, we are seeing a rise in opportunities for early-career professionals, particularly in clinical trial research and scientific writing,” Ariza shares.
Typical entry-level roles in biotech:
Research assistants — Support scientists by conducting experiments, collecting data, and maintaining lab records.
Lab technologists — Operate lab equipment and perform routine tests to ensure accurate, consistent results.
Clinical trial coordinators and associates — Manage the logistics of clinical trials, from participant tracking to regulatory compliance.
Regulatory affairs assistants — Help prepare documentation to ensure biotech products meet regulatory standards.
Science writers — Communicate scientific information clearly for diverse audiences through reports, articles, and summaries.
Bioinformatic and health data analysts — Analyze biological and clinical data to uncover insights that support research and development.
Biotech companies in Canada: Who’s hiring?
There are many biotech companies in Canada that are hiring, a sizable portion of which are in biomanufacturing. “We show there’s going to be a demand of about 15,000 to 16,000 jobs in the next five years,” Henderson says. “Some of these positions will require college or university degrees in science.”
For example, CCRM is a biotech company focused on advancing the commercialization of regenerative medicine-based technologies, as well as cell and gene therapies; its subsidiary, OmniaBio Inc., utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to enable the manufacturing of cell and gene therapies. New hires at either company may end up working in labs, clean rooms, quality assurance, microbiology, regulatory compliance, manufacturing, or technology.
“We hire various co-op roles across the business,” says Jessica Bond, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at CCRM and OmniaBio. “I have seen students come into facilities and engineering, manufacturing, process development, quality control, support services. Outside of co-ops, we also hire entry-level employees in many departments.”
Biotech companies hiring in Canada include:
A Vancouver-based biotech company that specializes in antibody discovery using AI and high-throughput screening to accelerate therapeutic development.
A Vancouver-based biotech company that develops bioprinting technology to create functional human tissues, with a focus on regenerative medicine and cell therapy applications.
A Canadian contract development and manufacturing organization known for manufacturing small molecules and biologics, supporting pharmaceutical and biotech partners, based in PEI and Nova Scotia.
CCRM is a leader in accelerating the commercialization of regenerative medicine-based technologies, cell, and gene therapies that operates out of Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District. OmniaBio, a subsidiary of CCRM, is Hamilton, Ontario-based company that uses AI and robotics to enable cell and gene therapy production.
A Toronto biotech company that uses AI to predict how genetic mutations impact disease and to design RNA-based therapeutics targeting rare and genetic conditions.
An Edmonton-based startup that develops growth factors for cultivated meat using engineered fruit flies, aiming to reduce the cost and complexity of cellular agriculture.
A biomanufacturing company that builds flexible, advanced facilities to support the production of biologics, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies at scale, based out of Mississauga, Ontario.
Canada’ largest biotech company, providing specialized cell culture media and tools for stem cell immunology and cancer research globally, operating out of Vancouver.
An Ontario-based biotech company working on cancer immunotherapies, including viral-based therapeutics and TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapies.
A Burnaby, B.C.-based biopharmaceutical company developing ion channel modulators to improve the lives of people living with neurological disorders such as epilepsy.
A Vancouver biotech company that focuses on developing multifunctional antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific antibodies, for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases.
What do biotech companies look for in entry-level applicants?
For new graduates applying to entry-level roles, versatility is key. While technical expertise matters, biotech companies are just as focused on hiring those who can communicate well, adapt quickly, and bring real-world experience to the table—especially in smaller, faster-moving organizations.
“There are many candidates with a strong educational background,” says Bond. “The difference can sometimes be that co-op or work experience.”
Beyond hands-on training, soft skills can be a deciding factor in a biotech company’s hiring decision, which is why Bond stresses the importance of communication skills. “You need to sell yourself when you are out there, and communication skills are applicable in all areas of our business,” she adds.
Henderson agrees, emphasizing that flexibility and cross-functionality are important — especially in small- to medium-sized firms. “They really want these kinds of swans or unicorns that can fit into a bunch of different roles,” he advises. “It’s going to be very important for students and job-seekers to display — whether it’s in their resume or through courses they’ve taken or experiences they’ve gotten — that they have those experiences.”
At the same time, experts encourage graduates entering the job market to highlight a broad range of experiences — including customer service or volunteer work — that demonstrate team collaboration, leadership, and the ability to solve problems in dynamic environments.
Biotech career trajectories
Because many employers in Canada’s biotech sector are small– to medium-sized enterprises, job titles can be fluid, which means early-career professionals are exposed to a wide range of responsibilities. This makes it possible for career growth to happen quickly.
“I have seen people come into a co-op role, finish school, and then come back in a permanent role,” Bond says. “I have also seen individuals come onboard in entry-level roles and grow into management and leadership.”
In technical or research roles, Henderson says growth may follow a straighter and structured path, while careers in industry-agnostic roles, like sales and marketing, tend to be more flexible.
At the same time, Henderson says career progression can heavily depend on how a company evolves. Many in biotech may choose to “puddle-jump” — moving between companies every few years to step up in title or pay — especially when leadership roles are limited in flat organizational structures.
“There are times you can look for some of the companies looking for growth spurts or are branching off into different areas,” Henderson adds. “You may also be taking a look at some of the larger companies that acquire some of the smaller companies and are looking to grow those verticals.”
Why a biomedical sciences degree helps
A biomedical sciences degree offers students the opportunity to pursue a variety of career paths and gives graduates the scientific background, lab experience, technical knowledge, and communication skills necessary to contribute to biotech teams.
At UNF, the biomedical sciences program is specifically designed to prepare students for real-world employment and to equip them with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace.
“The program offers several opportunities to bridge the gap from classroom learning to career readiness,” Ariza says. “The program currently has partnerships with key sectors, and students have access to internships, co-op placements, and research opportunities that provide hands-on experience in real-world settings.”
At the same time, Ariza stresses the importance of networking and work experience in today’s biotech job market, which UNF’s biomedical sciences program helps to facilitate. “By combining education with hands-on experience and networking opportunities, the program will prepare you for the job market,” he says.
Contributing Writer