Who's a Embryologist?
Are you interested in studying human biology? Want to use science to help people live happier lives? If so, consider a career in embryology!
As an embryologist, you will help couples unable to conceive to do so. Embryology is the branch of biology that studies the fertilisation and development of embryos – eggs. You would help create embryos outside the womb.
For instance, you will obtain an oocyte – an undeveloped egg from a female and make sure it receives the healthiest of sperms to ensure greater chances of fertilisation. If this is something that interests you, read on to know more about this career.
What will you do?
Where would you work?
How do you become a Embryologist?
What skills would you need?
Scientific Skills
Scientific skills encompass a range of abilities that enable individuals to conduct scientific research, understand scientific concepts, and apply scientific reasoning. Having strong scientific skills is crucial in fields such as healthcare, environmental science, engineering, and research, as they underpin the ability to innovate and solve complex problems. They also foster a deeper understanding of how scientific principles impact everyday life. build this skill
Research
Research is the systematic process of collecting, analysing, and interpreting information to increase understanding of a particular topic or issue. It involves identifying a question or problem, gathering relevant data, and evaluating sources to draw meaningful conclusions. Research can take various forms, including qualitative studies (which explore perceptions and experiences) and quantitative studies (which focus on numerical data and statistics). Strong research skills will enable you to find reliable information, assess the credibility of sources, and synthesise findings to support decision-making or further exploration. This skill is crucial in many fields, such as academia, business, healthcare, and technology, where informed decisions rely on thorough investigation and analysis. build this skill
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail means being careful and noticing small things that others might miss. It involves checking your work carefully for mistakes, following instructions exactly, and making sure everything is done correctly. This skill helps you do accurate work and avoid errors. In jobs, attention to detail is important for tasks like writing reports, managing data, or following safety rules. build this skillHow do you make it to the top ranks?
Trainee
At the most basic stage in embryology, you assist senior embryologists at work and maintain regular records of the development and observations that occur in the laboratory.
Lab Technician
As you move up the ladder, you are actively involved in determining the fertility level of patients and collecting the eggs and sperms for observation and processing by the senior embryologist.
Clinical Embryologist
At this stage, you begin testing the embryos and tissues and note down in case of any concerns. You also monitor the development of the embryo and use technology to help solve the issue of infertility.
Pursuing your career locally VS overseas
Embryology is a relatively new field in India. Thus, there is a high demand for skilled professionals in the country, especially at fertility clinics that employ embryologists at a large scale. Aspirants can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology or Biomedical Science, followed by a Master’s degree. The fees for graduation may range from INR 90,000 – INR 3,00,000 while a post-graduation may cost up to INR 3,00,000. Embryologists also choose to pursue a PhD to increase their chances of employability in top hospitals and fertility clinics. Some of the best colleges to pursue embryology studies in India are Maharaja Singh College in UP, Munshi Singh College in Bihar, Maharaja Srichandra College in Kolkata, Institute of Clinical Research India and Apheta Institute of Clinical Research in Delhi, Clino Vision Institute for Clinical Research in Nagpur, and Kasturba Medical College in Manipal.
Embryologists and other medical students have great opportunities abroad, especially in the Middle Eastern countries. To pursue embryology as a career abroad, you require a significant amount of formal education. A bachelor’s degree takes four to five years followed by a master’s degree that takes an additional two years of study and a PhD goes on for another three years. Most aspirants prefer to earn an MD or a PhD degree after their master’s to increase their chances of employability. Students pursuing a medical doctorate also need to complete residency and internship programmes affiliated with their courses. Even then, only 8% of medical students become professional embryologists while others pursue careers as fertility researchers, professors and andrologists. The cost for a degree in embryology can range from INR 30,00,000 – INR 40,00,000 in universities in Hertfordshire, Kingston, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Copenhagen, and go up to INR 50,00,000 – INR 60,00,000 in universities like Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, University of Nottingham, and University of British Columbia.
How much would you get paid?
The exact number will depend on where you’re working, your education, skill-set and internship experience. But we can give you a general idea.
What are your career options?
Biomedical Science
Much like embryologists, biomedical scientists understand and further develop their knowledge on the main principles of how the human body works. With the information you collect, you will work to find new ways to cure or treat diseases by developing advanced diagnostic tools or new therapeutic strategies. You could also say that embryology is a part of biomedical science.
Andrology
Andrology is the branch of medicine concerned with men’s health. An andrologist is a medical practitioner who deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the male reproductive and urology organs like fertility and sexual problems. You would recommend couples to an embryologist if the male and female are unable to conceive a baby.
Gynaecology
A gynaecologist is the female equivalent of an andrologist and one of the most demanding careers in the field of medicine. You will treat patients with female reproductive organs, mainly providing medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. You will also diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases affecting the reproductive system of females.
Genomics
Careers in genetics and genomics are one of the quickest growing areas of biomedical science. Professionals in this field supervise the work of geneticists, biologists, technicians, or biometricians working on genetics research projects to revolutionise the world. You will combine genetics and bioinformatics to understand how various genomic changes can cause life-threatening diseases and enable the development of new treatments to prevent them.
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