These 8 jobs could be the future of life sciences

To say that healthcare is evolving would be an understatement. It is undergoing a massive transformation wherein technology is not only changing the way we do healthcare, but also its career possibilities. Moreover, the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technological advancements that would typically take years to achieve and has begun to digitise healthcare

Here, we examine the possible new roles we could expect to become mainstream in the next decade.

1. Bioprinting engineers

While we are currently limited to printing tissues, full-fledged synthetic organs are a possibility in the future. Some experts believe that in 12 years, we will have a bioprinted heart in an animal. Such bioprinted organs will save the lives of thousands of organ transplant candidates, and thanks to bioprinting techniques, these organs can be tailored to individual patients. We will need bioprinting engineers to scale the bioprinting material and scaffold to each patient's needs for this purpose.

2. Deep learning expert

AI's capabilities in healthcare are vast, ranging from managing mundane administrative duties to revealing clinical connections that are imperceptible to the naked eye. The rapid development of competent algorithms, on the other hand, is crucial to their use. All too often, AI is trained on medical data that contains inherent biases, or on datasets that aren't completely representative of real-world clinical settings.

This is where a deep learning expert comes in: to ensure that medical AI is properly trained. Such an expert will be able to lead and supervise the creation and deployment of effective and ethical algorithms, whether it's for an autonomous emergency drone to discover the best way to its destination or for designing treatment plans.

3. Lifestyle strategist

According to some estimates, the number of connected wearable devices in the world will exceed one billion this year. This adoption trend is expected to continue as a result of the democratized access to individual health data that they provide.

A lifestyle strategist will assist such early adopters in navigating the mountain of data they constantly collect and the devices they use, which range from food scanners to meditation headbands to ECG monitors. The lifestyle strategist can create personalised lifestyle, diet, and workout routines for their patients based on those individual health metrics.

4. Virtual surgeon

Analysts predict that the global medical robots market will be worth $12.7 billion by 2025, up from $5.9 billion in 2020. When you consider that 5G in healthcare is just around the corner, it's easy to see a growing demand for surgical robot specialists.

Surgeons will be able to perform more complex procedures not only with the help of robots, but also remotely. Surgeons can also use technologies such as augmented or virtual reality to hone their skills. These can aid in the planning of operations and even improve the performance of surgeons.

5. 3D printing surgeon and specialist

From custom orthopedic implants to "organoids" made from living cells for drug testing, 3D printing applications for healthcare have come a long way.  In the future, burn or accident victims will be given new skin (and possibly more) that was grown using their own cells and 3D printed for use in reconstructive surgery. This will give rise to  a new breed of 3D printing technicians who specialize in tissue generation.

6. Virtual hospital manager

An online GP appointment is entirely feasible, but can doctors treat sick patients virtually as well? The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention began work on the virtual hospital project in 2020, which will be the first smart hospital built in the GCC nation. The project is being developed in collaboration with one of the country's leading telecom operators, Du. Once operational, the hospital will eliminate geographical barriers by allowing patients to communicate with specialists from the comfort of their own homes.

As such facilities grow in size and popularity, they will require dedicated managers who are experienced in providing virtual care, just as real-life hospital managers are required.

7. Precision medicine compounding pharmacist

Biotech companies aiming to gain a competitive edge in the fast-growing healthtech market are increasingly focusing on personalized diagnosis and treatment services. Precision medicine will be the norm for future patients, rendering bulk pharmaceutical drugs obsolete, at least for this purpose. Compounding pharmacists will supervise robots that handle the dispensing process while providing the robots with accurate patient information based on genetics and individual characteristics defined by medical imaging and analytics.

8. Epigenetic counsellor

The job of the current genetic counselor may change, or scientific developments may lead to the emergence of an entirely new breed of counselors who deal not just with DNA sequences but also with the epigenetics involved. As new research emerges, differing degrees of evidence suggest that epigenetic modifications are linked to (but not always caused by) a variety of diseases and disorders. As our understanding of this linkage improves, epigenetic counselors will educate adults and the younger generation to make the right choices to ensure healthier lives.

Final thoughts: Jobs of the future have never looked so good

These are just a few of the potential new trades that will emerge as a result of technological advancements and their application in the healthcare sector. Research firm, McKinsey estimates that globally, jobs in healthcare could grow by 50 million to 85 million by 2030. Without a doubt, technology will have a significant impact on many of these, both by creating new types of employment and by evolving current roles.

One certain job of the future? Someone to recruit talent to fill all these roles! 😉 Whether you’re a professional looking for a job or a business seeking highly skilled life sciences talent, the team at Real is here for you. " target="_blank" title="Contact Us">Contact us for more information.