1:46 p.m., March 23, 2010----The Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) hosted the Delaware Bio Life Sciences Career Fair, organized by the Delaware BioScience Association (Delaware Bio), on Tuesday, March 9. More than 300 qualified candidates came through the doors well prepared to vie for the 100-plus positions offered by the companies represented.

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This was the third career fair in the last three years organized by Delaware Bio. The organization's continued goal is to bring life science job candidates ranging from new graduates to experienced Ph.D.'s to the smaller life science firms in the area, while also exposing them to the larger firms in Delaware.

Delaware Bio strives to fill a particular niche in life science career opportunities that isn't always as prominent a theme in other career fairs.

“We wanted to provide job opportunities, specifically in the life sciences industry. Our goal was to offer everything from internships through post-docs to experienced individuals, Ph.D.'s in the industry and displaced workers,” said Alok Patel, marketing coordinator for Delaware Bio. “We do everything in our power to help people make the connection they need.”

And the need is greater now more than ever.

“Delaware Bio and its member organizations were thrilled to join the Delaware Biotechnology Institute with sponsorship from VWR in delivering the largest Life Science Career Fair in Delaware. This is a time when job seekers need more than ever to be connected with recruiters tasked with filling open positions,” said Bob Dayton, president of Delaware Bio.

Sharon Rozovsky, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware, said she found the career fair to be a great way to connect employers with employees.

“It was a wonderful way to get to know people and get a number of applications,” said Rozovsky. “It was an efficient way to connect people and I've already spoken to a number of applicants to fill the open position in my department.”

As a benefit to candidates and employers, Delaware Bio will later compile every resume electronically to provide to the employers. So if a candidate missed stopping by that one last booth on their way out, that's no problem -- the employer will still have a chance to review their credentials.

Sponsored by VWR, a laboratory equipment supply company, the hundreds of job seekers were able to meet with 13 potential employers that included Aerotek Scientific, Agilent Technologies, ANP Technologies, AstraZeneca, B&W Tek, Christiana Care, FraunhoferCMB, Incyte Corporation, Nemours, QPS, Sanosil International, SDIX (Strategic Diagnostics), and W.L. Gore & Associates.

Article by Laura Crozier
Photos courtesy Alok Patel of Delaware Bio