Updated March 07, 2014.
Life Sciences and Medical Device Industry for Job-Seekers
The bio-med industry in Massachusetts can be an exciting, and lucrative, industry in which to find a job. But the locations of those jobs shift from region to region, state to state, and city to city over time. Some clusters mature, while others develop reputations as start-up hotbeds that attract innovators who love the small company freedom.
Small company innovation attracts something else too. Money. Specifically venture capital. Venture capitalists invest their money where the payoff promises the hope for big returns. Small startups, founded on new ideas, new research, new technology, are typically the best place to hedge one's bet for growth.
But don't dismiss large companies in mature markets, for they deliver the sweet fruit for which every region's mouth waters:
- Many jobs
- An educated workforce
- And a well-compensated workforce
Cities have learned through experience (and luck!) that these three ingredients fuel a healthy economy.
Are you looking to join this (in many ways) rewarding community? Not sure yet where to look? Here are some of the top reasons why the Greater Boston area is a great place to start your search.
Bio-Med Jobs in Greater Boston
Greater Boston consistently ranks at the top of virtually any list of best places live for medical device and life sciences jobs.
The area, considered one of the most mature markets in the world, has a target-rich environment for job-seekers.
The Greater Boston Super Cluster is considered mature by many because the organizations in this area have been in the life sciences, biotech, medical device, and medical supply field for as long as any in these industries. In fact, many of these organizations have shaped and defined their industries.
This cluster shares years of experience working together, collaborating on research and manufacturing.
Some of the top organizations include:
Academic Research Hospitals
- Massachusetts General Hospital (Find a job at MGH)
- Brigham & Women's Hospital (Find a job at BWH)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Find a job at BIDMC)
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Find a job at Dana Farber)
- Boston Children's Hospital (Find a job at Boston Children's Hospital)
University Research Institutions
- Harvard University Medical School
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Boston University Medical School
Life Sciences Industry
- Genzyme, a Sanofi Company (Find a job at Genzyme)
- Pfizer (Find a job at Pfizer)
- Novartis (Find a job at Novartis)
- Astra Zeneca (Find a job at Astra Zeneca)
- AbbVie (Find a job at AbbVie)
In each of the above categories I could list VERY long lists. There are over 600 Life Sciences companies in Massachusetts, for example. Listing every academic and hospital research unit would fill page after page as well.
Fun Facts for Job-Seekers
- "Greater Boston" encompasses a lot more than the city. Maybe commuting to, and working in, a major city is not your dream. No problem, the Greater Boston area includes several suburbs that have played host to many research and manufacturing organizations in this industry. As a result, you get the job opportunities along with the trees, top-notch landscaping with walking trails, free parking, and small-town community vibe with accessible restaurants and business casual dress-code you might be looking for.
- For years, Massachusetts has received more grant funding per capita from the NIH than any other state by far. Where there are grants, there are jobs.
- Massachusetts has 8 of the most successful lab incubators in the world. That means "opportunity!"
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Quarterly Census of Employment & Wage (QCEW) data, Massachusetts leads the nation in biotechnology research & development employment (NAICS 541711).
- Roughly 240 biotech / pharma companies – mix of both start-up and veteran companies
- Big pharma has a substantial presence, 8 of the largest 11 have operations in the state
- 450+ medical device companies
- Top 5 funded research hospitals in the country
- 16 Academic Medical Centers
- 1st in the number of life science patents per capita awarded to MA institutions (2001- 2005) – 3X national average
- 30 major venture capital firms actively focusing on the industry
- High public policy awareness of the biotechnology industry
- Number of legislative acts – Life Sciences Initiative; Life Sciences Talent Initiative (LSTI) and BioTeach; BioReady Communities Campaign
- MA’s education system produces the steady stream of skilled workers
- 13 local colleges granting life-science doctorate degrees, three are ranked in the national top 20
In short, if you are looking for a job, and perhaps more importantly, a long-term career, Massachusetts provides a rich environment for job opportunities in this field of high-paying, and highly-educated, researchers, manufacturers, and sales professionals.