Enter the Field of Discovery Science
CAREER PATHWAYS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH A partnership of The Wistar Institute and Community College of Philadelphia
W I S TA R . O R G / B T T P
HANDS-ON LEARNING FOR THE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH WORKFORCE Since 2000, The Wistar Institute’s Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Program has been preparing Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) students for an exciting career in the fast-growing life sciences sector as biomedical research assistants and technicians. The BTT Program provides CCP students with the opportunity to gain the technical skills and academic training needed to assume and succeed in entry-level research positions.
PAID TRAINING LEADING TO JOB OPPORTUNITIES BTT Program graduates land jobs in a variety of academic research settings and at biomedical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies.
“WE WERE LOOKING FOR CURES, BUT WHAT WE REALLY FOUND WAS OURSELVES.” –EDWIN HALKO, BTT PROGRAM GRADUATE 2018
â–˛ The Wistar Institute
BTT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Prerequisites include one semester of college-level Chemistry and Principles of Biology I (Cellular and Molecular Biology).
BTT PROGRAM EXPERIENCE & TRAINING Students take part in a 7-week (Fridays only) Lab Orientation to Biomedical Technology and are introduced to basic research concepts and techniques in the laboratory setting. They also participate in a 7-week Laboratory Practicum divided into two 3.5-week lab experiences in laboratories at The Wistar Institute and surrounding participating universities, biomedical research companies and institutions. YEAR 1
Students complete a 12-week full-time laboratory internship at Wistar or an affiliated university partner or company in the biomedical or pharmaceutical sectors. YEAR 2
Throughout the core training, students are treated and paid as employees. They become essential members of the lab team as they continue to master their professional skills and contribute to the goals of the laboratory. Students experience a range of biomedical research training and receive strong mentoring support in top regional labs, all while gaining deeper understanding of the origin and behavior of diseases, ranging from cancer to HIV and other infectious diseases.
▲ BTT Class of 2018
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS BTT Program trainees have been placed in academic and biopharmaceutical research laboratories throughout the greater Philadelphia region, including:
• The Wistar Institute • University of Pennsylvania
• University City Science Center
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Integral Molecular, Inc.
• Drexel University
• Affiliated biomedical or pharmaceutical companies.
• University of the Sciences • Thomas Jefferson University
• Invisible Sentinel, Inc.
Since the program launched in 2000, more than 150 students have completed the program •M ore than 50% of graduates are underrepresented groups • More than 70% of graduates are women
To learn more about the BTT Program, visit: wistar.org/BTTP
TH E NE XT STAGE:
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP Wistar’s Biomedical Research Technician (BRT) Apprenticeship is the first-ever registered, nontraditional apprenticeship program for biomedical research ratified by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. It offers a career pathway to becoming advanced biomedical research technicians in a research laboratory environment. Graduates will be able to navigate and function in a fluid and skilled manner in the research laboratory environment. They will act in a supporting role for the lead scientists and staff, having an in-depth understanding of the laboratories’ needs to advance their science. REQUIREMENTS Eligible participants must complete the BTT Program as a prerequisite to the BRT Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship provides an additional 1,286 hours of paid, specialty training.
To learn more about the BRT Apprenticeship, visit wistar.org/BRT
WITHOUT DISCOVERIES, THERE ARE NO CURES.
The Wistar Institute is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, citizenship, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDs), pregnancy, caregiver status, domestic or sexual violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or on the basis of genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, with respect to all terms and conditions of employment.
T HE W I STAR I N ST I T U T E 3 6 01 SP RU C E ST R E E T PHI L A D EL P HI A , PA 19 1 0 4 - 4 2 6 5 WI STAR.ORG Š2019, The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology
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