Transition your career with a degree in Bioinformatics
June 29, 2023
Designing and conducting experiments in a wet lab may seem like every scientist's dream. However, the reality of working at the bench day after day may not live up to one's expectations or fulfill one's career aspirations.
Luckily, lab work is not the only way to be at the forefront of scientific, pharmaceutical, and medical discovery. An MS in Bioinformatics might be exactly what you need to make a transition to a dry lab job where you can still make an impact.
What will I learn in Brandeis GPS’s Bioinformatics program?
Bioinformatics is the science of analyzing biological data. In our Bioinformatics program, you will learn how to use computational tools, such as R-programming, Python, and complex software programs, to extract insights from data, including DNA sequences, genetic variations, and molecular pathways.
Rather than performing experiments that involve tissue cultures and cell biology, bioinformaticians perform experiments that involve the creation of code and the interpretation of data using complex mathematical analysis. Information obtained from bioinformatics has increased our understanding of health and disease, leading to advancements in pharmaceutical treatments and medical diagnostics, such as the COVID-19 vaccine.
What are the benefits of a degree (and a career) in Bioinformatics?
A degree in bioinformatics will provide you with the analytical and computational skills necessary to transition your career from a wet lab to a dry lab setting. Bioinformatics jobs take place in dry labs. These office-like environments foster more collaboration and interactions with coworkers — which can certainly be a plus if you've felt isolated in the lab.
Depending on your specific job description and the firm you are working at, a bioinformatics career may also offer a better work-life balance than a job in a lab. Because much of bioinformatics includes tech and programming, there may be potential for remote work. This means you can make a significant impact in the scientific, pharmaceutical, and medical spheres without leaving the comfort of your own home.
Will my experience in a wet lab go to waste?
Your experience in a wet lab will certainly not go to waste in a bioinformatics career. Bioinformatics jobs often involve collaboration with wet lab teams, who may produce the data that you are responsible for analyzing. Your first-hand knowledge of a wet lab environment may enhance your ability to work with these teams, thus giving you a career advantage. Your in-depth understanding of molecular and cellular biology will also help you to extract useful insights from the data that you are handling.
For more information on the MS in Bioinformatics or any other programs at Brandeis GPS, please visit our website.