But that is just the initial trickle of the flood of information to be tapped from the Human Genome Project. In light of this project, major players around the globe have formed bioinformatics groups, thereby creating a boom in job opportunities. The Indian industry is already converging two new-economy sectors pharmaceuticals and IT and big names like Satyam Computers, Dr Reddy's Laboratories have done their spadework. Companies need people at all levels those who are either biologists with IT skills or IT professionals with serious interests in biology. The sought-after candidates are, however, those with PhD degrees and software engineers with masters degrees.
Research needs often drive biologists into the field.
Develop IT tools embodying novel algorithms and analytic techniques, or apply existing tools to achieve new insights about molecular biology. There are, however, other opportunities radiating from the core. Jobs range from testing, documentation, running operating procedures, and database administration to programming, software development, algorithm creation, and scientific visualisation. Companies value people who can keep their eyes on the big picture. At firms where pharmacology is a focus, such as Ranbaxy and Monsanto, bioinformaticians are required to distill a galaxy of drug candidates into a few bright stars.