This talk is on the Career Options after Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree that was presented to BSc. in Biochemistry students who recently finalized their four year study at University of Eldoret, Kenya. The presenter, Dr. Vivian Tuei, is a Lecturer of Biochemistry and Molecular Biosciences at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Science at University of Eldoret, Kenya. The talk highlights on; 1. Employment options including internships. 2. Education Options. 3. Applying to Graduate School. 4. Academic scholarships and funding.

1. Dr. Vivian Tuei
Lecturer, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Email: vtuei@uoeld.ac.ke Twitter: @vivtuei
28th February 2022
Career Options after Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology Degree

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• You have a strong foundation already for
a Career in Biochemistry & Molecular
Biology for having undertaken the BSc. in
Biochemistry Degree Program at UoE.

3. ⚫ Biochemistry & Molecular Biology focuses on
processes happening at a molecular level.
⚫ Biochemistry covers a range of scientific
disciplines, including genetics, microbiology,
forensics, plant & animal science,
biotechnology, immunology and medicine.
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4. 1. BSc. Graduates of Biochemistry
A. Employment Options
⚫ Government and non-governmental agencies (Research and
analyses of food, drug, air, wastes, animal tissues etc)
⮚ Hospitals (both public and private)
⮚ Research institutions (KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, KALRO,
IPR, BecA-ILRI Hub, ICIPE, KEMFRI, KFRI etc)
⮚ Regulatory Agencies (NBA, KEPHIS, KEBS, NEMA, The
Pharmacy & Poisons Board etc)
⚫ Universities (Technicians, Graduate /Research Assistants)
⚫ Government and private forensic laboratories (Kenya Police/DCI
Forensic lab, Government Chemist, KWS, Private labs, etc)
⚫ Biotechnology firms-research, quality control, & production
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5. 1. BSc. Graduates of Biochemistry-Cont.
A. Employment Options-Cont
⚫ Internships/traineeships (Public Service Commission-PSC, KEMRI,
AMPATH, KALRO, ICIPE, United Nations-UN etc)
⚫ Food/Drug /Pharmaceutical companies (Quality control labs and
Medical Sales Representatives)
⚫ High school science teachers
⚫ Science communication/journalism/publishing/advocacy
⚫ Non-science careers e.g. banking/finance, security/armed forces etc
⚫ Self employment
B. Education Options
⚫ Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree & PhD
C. Volunteering/Unpaid Attachments or Placements 5

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Others; Class representative, presentations/talks and membership or official in
Biochemistry Association/ Students Organization etc.

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⚫ As online information about people
becomes easier to access, it is often
the first port of call for employers
when seeking out potential
employees.
⚫ It can also be a powerful tool to
build up a network of contacts and
engage with groups with shared
interests.
⚫ Managing your online presence and
building your professional profile is
a continual process.

9. ⚫ How to write a CV.
⚫ How to write a cover letter.
⚫ How to prepare for an interview.
⚫ Job/vacancy/scholarships searches and
power of networking.
⚫ Statement of motivation/purpose.
⚫ Referees; always request and have them
informed.
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10. 2. Graduate School
⚫ Careers that involve teaching, directing scientific research at
a university, a government lab or a biotech company require
at least a MSc. degree and preferably, a doctorate (PhD or
DPhil) degree;
 Master of Science
 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
 Post-doctoral training (short-term research training after award of
PhD)
 Other advanced degrees;
-MD (Medical doctor)
-JD (Juris doctor/law degree) for scientists interested in science &
technology patent law and cooperate law
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11. ⚫ The most frequent requirement for acceptance to graduate
school is a BSc. degree in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology.
⚫ Many students bypass the MSc. degree and proceed directly to a
PhD program especially now in countries such as the USA etc.
⚫ Other minimum requirements;
Kenya; Lower second class honors division with relevant 2 years
working experience.
International/Abroad; e.g. USA usually require TOEFL & GRE
Tests Scores and IELTS for UK and Australia
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12. ⚫ Many factors enter into a student’s
choice of graduate schools:
⮚ The presence of outstanding faculty in the
subspecialty that you find interesting
⮚ The breadth of course and research experience
available
⮚ †
The reputation of the program
⮚ †
Personal considerations such as location
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13. ⚫ Examples;
1. University of Eldoret, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry-MSc
in Biochemistry.
2. Moi University, Department of Biochemistry & Clinical Chemistry-MSc
in Medical Biochemistry.
3. University of Nairobi, Department of Biochemistry & CEBIB-MSc/PhD
in Biochemistry, Biotechnology or Bioinformatics.
4. Kenyatta Univeristy-Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology &
Biotechnology- MSc/PhD in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or Medical
Biochemistry (Have a Plant Transformation Laboratory).
5. JKUAT-Department of Biochemistry-MSc & PhD in Biochemistry,
Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics, Medical Biotechnology, or
Agricultural & Environmental Biotechnology. Also, Molecular Medicine
by ITROMID-KEMRI/JKUAT and MSc/PhD in Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology at PAUSTI/JKUAT.
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14. ⚫ Kenya
⮚ Research funds by the National Research Fund (NRF) for MSc and
PhD students
⮚ Partial scholarships and loans by HELB
⮚ PAUSTI at JKUAT-MSc & PhD scholarships in Molecular Biology &
Biotechnology
⚫ International
⮚ Scholarships
⮚ Fellowships
⮚ Research and teaching assistantships plus tuition waivers
⮚ Personal funding is very rare
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15. ⚫ Remember….What you present in your
application is how the college gets to
know you – it is the only thing the
admissions committee or departmental
faculty have to compare you to other
students.
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16. ⚫ Compared to BSc. graduates, someone with a MSc.
has better prospects for advancement and
compensation.
⚫ MSc. graduates will also have more
responsibility and independence at their jobs.
⚫ Some corporations favor MSc. graduates who
graduated from degree programs that involved
substantial research; university teaching will also
require graduate level course work.
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17. ⚫ In addition to the career opportunities discussed, a
PhD degree is required for work such as:
⮚ †
Lecturers/Professors at colleges and universities.
⮚ †
Program directors at government agencies where they
engage in research or as high-level administrators.
⮚ †
Research directors or senior executives at
biotechnology firms.
⮚ †
Editors of scientific journals.
⮚ Some board membership and advisory boards in both
private and public sectors.
⮚ Some consultancy firms.
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18. ⚫ Some biochemists and molecular biologists
find fulfilling careers in non-traditional job
sectors such as;
⮚ Management
⮚ Science policy
⮚ Science communication-writing, publishing,
journalism and advocacy-ISAAA AfriCenter, ABSF
⮚ Technology transfer
⮚ Medical illustration
⮚ Entrepreneurship
⮚ Security
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19. 3. Employment sectors for MSc and PhD graduates
⚫ College and university
⮚ Professors, lecturers, and senior technical staff for
lecturing, lab instructions and research
⚫ Government/non-governmental employment
⮚ Research & development in institutions- KALRO, BecA-ILRI
Hub, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, ICIPE, IPR, AMPATH etc
⮚ Administrators at govt. agencies dealing with safety
assessment of drugs, food, new devices etc-NBA, KEBS,
KEPHIS etc
⮚ Administrators in research funding agencies-NRF, NACOSTI
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20. 3. Employment sectors for MSc and PhD graduates-
Cont.
⚫ Industry/Biotech employment
⮚ Agricultural feedstock and chemicals
⮚ †
Food, drugs and pharmaceuticals
⮚ †
Medical devices and equipment
⮚ †
Research, testing, and medical laboratories-CIMMYTI, AATF,
Monsanto, International Potato Centre, CIAT-CGIAR , IITA, BecA-
ILRI Hub etc
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21. University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
December 2010
I was awarded a PhD in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering

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⚫ National Research Fund (NRF)
 http://www.researchfund.go.ke/
⮚ Offer PhD and MS students competitive research project grants.
⚫ Research support from principal investigators’/supervisors’ grants
(National as well as international grants).
⚫ Ministry of Education-Kenya website is resourceful on calls for
scholarships (local and international) by various governments.
https://www.education.go.ke/index.php
⚫ Also check on notices for call for applications for scholarships/grants
(local and international) in NACOSTI-Kenya website.
https://www.nacosti.go.ke/

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◦ Rhodes – Oxford
●https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/th
e-rhodes-scholarship/
◦ Gates Cambridge – Cambridge
●www.gatesscholar.org

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⚫ Fulbright – research, study
◦ https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-fulbright
⚫ Rotary – graduate study abroad
◦ www.rotary.org
⚫ DAAD – research, intern or study in Germany
◦ www.daad.de

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Belgium
K.U Leuven Science Scholarships
http://wet.kuleuven.be/english/scienceatleuvenscholarship
VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships
https://www.vliruos.be/en/scholarships/6
Canada
University of Manitoba Graduate fellowships
https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/funding-awards-and-financial-aid
Hungary
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships
https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/
Other Links-Scholarships /fellowships database:
http://www.scholars4dev.com/

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Kenya
Public Service Commission Internships
https://www.publicservice.go.ke/index.php
International
United Nations (UN) Internships
https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=ip

27. ⚫ Several biochemists and molecular biologists continue to be recognized for
award of the Nobel prizes in Chemistry or Physiology and Medicine.
https://www.asbmb.org/about/nobel-prize-winners#:~:text=2020,-
Charles%20Rice&text=Charles%20M.,of%20the%20hepatitis%20C%20virus.
⚫ The Kenya Vision 2030 requires that there be six foundations for its pillars
including science, technology and innovation.
⚫ Careers in STEM fields are projected to have the greatest global potential
for job growth in the future e.g. biotech, energy, healthcare etc.
⚫ The NRF-Kenya’s role in funding Universities for Infrastructural Research
Capacity Building is promising; started in 2016/2017.
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⚫ My Contacts;
Dr. Vivian Tuei
Email: vtuei@uoeld.ac.ke/ vivtuei@yahoo.com
Twitter: @vivtuei
University of Eldoret Website: https://www.uoeld.ac.ke/
 I will provide these slides to anyone interested.