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Pharmaceuticals and biomedicine
In recent years, the Biomedical Sciences Group of Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) has strived to turn Singapore into an international hub for biomedical sciences. It has provided research, manufacturing and innovation facilities to advance this sector.
The Singapore government has also created the Biopolis at the Buona Vista science hub; a dedicated science park where biomedical science companies from around the world have ample space to carry out research and development activities.
To support the progress of the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences industry, Singapore has the A* STAR Biomedical Research Council which offers national science scholarships and organises outreach programmes for schools.
Career development
Postdoctoral, research, lecturing and chemist positions are key areas of employment in the biomedical sector. These vacancies are available in the National University of Singapore, Singapore Nanyang Technological University and in some of the top-notch biomedical companies from around the world which have chosen to locate their facilities in Singapore.
Singapore has become the meeting point for some of the world’s top scientists to work further on their research in the biomedical industry. They share the same passion as the republic to move forward in this field by using all the scientific infrastructure and resources provided. Hence, graduates seeking to be employed in this line of work can expect to learn from some of the best talents in the industry.
Abbott, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Roche are some of the top 30 biomedical sciences and pharmaceutical companies to have established their regional headquarters, manufacturing and research and development bases in Singapore.
Job opportunities
If you are a graduating in the fields of chemistry, biostatistics and pharmacology, you could work for Novartis or GlaxoSmithKline which have dedicated research centres here that look into developing new products. Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies including Schering-Plough, MSD and GlaxoSmithKline have sophisticated plants in Singapore that employ chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering and electronics staff.
Chemist
To excel in this role, you need to have a diploma or degree in chemistry, applied chemistry or chemical engineering. As a chemist, you will have to conduct chemical analysis tests, evaluate and write reports about tasks at hand. You will become familiar with laboratory functions and equipment. From this general role, you move forward and focus on becoming an application chemist, research and development chemist or analytical chemist.
Quality Assurance (QA) specialist
This increasingly popular position requires you to use laboratory testing facilities to ensure plant products comply with international quality standards. You will most likely work for one of the many pharmaceutical companies in the world that have manufacturing sites in Singapore. Besides a diploma or degree in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering or chemistry, you will need to undergo a specialised training programme in pharmaceuticals manufacturing.
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