Biotech Career Fair Features Largest Employers in Life Sciences Industry

“The BIO Career Fair provides a venue for job seekers and recruiters to make valuable connections, which are so important for our industry and is one of the primary activities of the 2008 BIO International Convention,” said Robbi Lycett, vice president of Conventions & Conferences.

The BIO Career Fair is hosted by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and BIOCOM, the membership organization representing 5,520 biotech companies in Southern California.

BIO Career Fair Exhibitors include AstraZeneca, BioPhase Solutions Inc., BioSpace, bioStrategies Group, Inc., Charles River, Genzyme, Gilead, Illumina, Invitrogen Corporation, Iowa Careers Consortium, Johnson & Johnson, Kelly Scientific Resources, Monsanto, National Research Council Canada, NatureJobs, New Scientist Jobs, Novo Nordisk Inc, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc, SAIC Frederick Inc., Science Careers, Talent Scotland and Vertex.

“Gilead has several exciting openings in multiple locations and we hope to connect with biotech and pharma professionals to not only talk about current careers but also future growth opportunities,” said Shawn Phillips, staffing director for Gilead Sciences, Inc.  This is our opportunity to meet candidates face-to-face instead of the usual phone call.  We are looking forward to the event.”

“The BIO Career fair has proven to be a valuable career networking opportunity for job seekers from all over the world to learn more about the global career opportunities at Invitrogen,” said Mary Grace Kristian, vice president of Talent Acquisition for Invitrogen Corporation. “Over the past years, we have been very pleased with the interest of BIO Career Fair participants in playing a role in the continued growth of the biotech industry."

“Some of the industry's best and brightest join Vertex to be part of a biotech culture focused on developing drugs for some of the world's most serious diseases,” said Lisa Anderson, director of staffing for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. “As a staffing professional, the BIO Career Fair provides a key opportunity to find talent with unique skill sets and to discuss the Vertex culture and work environment with potential candidates."

The BIO Career Fair is free of charge and provides a unique, one-day opportunity for job seekers to meet and network with international organizations in the life sciences sector.

AAPS and BIO hosted the 2007 Career Fair together in Boston which attracted more than 3,200 job seekers and more than 65 recruiting companies.

Job seekers are able to upload their résumés in advance and avoid any entry lines for the Career Fair. Employers can post job listings on www.biocareerfair.org.

Candidates will have the opportunity to meet with recruiters from many of the largest biotech companies.  Industry professionals and students will be able to interview for open positions, listen in to free educational seminars and network with recruiters to discuss possible career options and requirements. Admission is free to job seekers with a four-year life sciences degree or a life-science community college degree.

In addition to visiting the employer booths, job seekers can attend two free education sessions hosted by PharmaLogics Recruiting:

--Interviewing and Job Searching – 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

--Stages of Career Development and Diversity for the Biotechnology Professional in Today’s World Economy panel discussion – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

In addition, the BIO Career Fair will offer free individual coaching on mock interviewing and résumé review by appointment only from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and again from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

Additional information about the BIO Career Fair, as well as résumé posting, pre-screening, and expedited registration is available for all job seekers at www.biocareerfair.org.

For more information on attendance or exhibit space sales, please contact Chris Reed with the AAPS at reedc@aaps.org or 703.248.4773.

For more information on the 2008 BIO International Convention, please visit www.bio2008.org. 

Registration for the 2008 BIO International Convention is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. To register, please visit www.bio2008.org/mediaregistration.  Reporters and editors working full-time for print, broadcast, and online news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers, college and online publications are strongly encouraged to register in advance by Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

Registration for attendees is offered at an early-bird discounted rate until May 8, 2008. Online registration is open at www.bio2008.org/registration.

The BIO International Convention helps to support BIO programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation.  For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program and housing information, please visit www.bio2008.org.   Also, be sure to check out our blog, www.bioontheroad.org for up to date information on all BIO events. 

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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