Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization releases biopharmaceutical R&D career guidebook

The Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization has released the ‘2026 Biopharmaceutical R&D Job Information and Career Design Guidebook’ to assist young job seekers in the biotechnology sector. The guide aims to bridge the gap between academic education and actual industry requirements by providing detailed information on 20 different job roles within the biopharmaceutical R&D process.

Covering the entire development lifecycle—from initial drug candidate discovery and non-clinical evaluation to clinical trials, regulatory affairs (RA), and business development (BD)—the guidebook outlines specific tasks, required competencies, necessary majors, and professional outlooks for each role. It also includes real-world career transition stories from industry experts, such as moving from quality assurance (QA) to regulatory affairs or transitioning from R&D to business development.

Supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, the organization has been conducting GMP training for approximately 200 youth annually since 2014, maintaining an average employment rate of 80% for graduates. The guidebook is available for free download on the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization website.