Meet Snehasikta Chatterjee, a passionate Patent Analyst with a background in biotechnology. From research internships to freelancing as a science writer and AI trainer, she has carved a unique path blending science, technology, and intellectual property. In this Career Konnect interview, she shares her journey, challenges, and advice for aspiring biotech professionals.
Full Name: Snehasikta Chatterjee
Education: M.Sc. Biotechnology
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snehasikta-chatterjee-502434213/
Part 1: General Information
What is your current job title and a brief description of your role?
Consultant/ Patent Analyst.
Which company are you currently working for?
Straive.
In which city and country are you based?
Remote (Based in Kolkata).
Part 2: Career Path and Education
What was your specialization? From which university did you obtain your highest degree?
I completed my Master’s in Biotechnology (M.Sc.) from Techno India University, Kolkata.
Could you briefly outline your career path since completing your education? What were the key steps and decisions that led you to your current position?
After completing my education, I joined as a Research Intern at Techno India University. I later worked as a Biotechnology Copywriter at Indiva Group. Following that, I transitioned to the IT sector as a Marketing and Client Coordinator. However, I continued to maintain and sharpen my biotechnology skills through independent practice at Biotecnika, Bangalore. Eventually, I secured a role in my core domain as a Patent Analyst at Straive. Alongside, I also freelance as a copywriter, article/blog writer, LLM trainer, AI trainer, prompt engineer, and independent researcher.
How important was your degree in securing your current position? Did it provide you with specific skills or knowledge that were essential for your role?
My degree played a crucial role in securing my current position. It provided me with foundational knowledge in biotechnology, which is essential for understanding and analyzing patents, as well as performing research and technical tasks.
Part 3: Job Role and Responsibilities
Could you describe a typical workday for you? What are your primary responsibilities and tasks?
Patent analysis, technical troubleshooting, indexing, research, translation, and journal highlighting.
What key skills (technical and soft) are essential for your role? How did your PhD help you develop these skills?
Data collection, data curation, patent indexing and analysis, patent research, translation to English, data management, data security, IPALS tool handling, troubleshooting, and time management.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your job?
The biggest challenge in my role is managing a high volume of patents that need to be analyzed quickly and accurately. The reward lies in the constant learning and the satisfaction of contributing meaningfully to the biotech intellectual property space.
How do you balance your work and personal life? What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Each day, we receive numerous patents that need to be completed within minutes. This requires detailed reading and in-depth research. To manage stress, I follow strategies such as taking regular breaks, having tea or snacks, practicing relaxation yoga, and interacting with team members to stay energized.
Part 4: Future Opportunities
What are the potential career paths and opportunities for someone in your position?
Currently, I am focused on supporting my family, as I am the sole breadwinner and my father is retired. In a few years, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. and aim to become a scientist. The role of a Patent Analyst is unique and has strong growth potential. For anyone joining this position in the future, it’s important to focus on detail-oriented work and efficient multitasking.
What are the current trends and challenges in the biotech industry? How do you see your role evolving in the future?
Currently, there is a rise in opportunities in clinical research and regulatory affairs. However, R&D roles are limited, making it challenging for freshers like me to break into core biotechnology positions such as Junior or Senior Research Associate. Bioinformatics roles are also limited, and most don’t offer remote work or competitive salaries. Many candidates face financial barriers when relocating to other cities or states. I consider myself fortunate to have found a fully remote job. Although the salary is modest, it allows me to support my family and save on commuting and living expenses. I am now looking for roles like Clinical Research Assistant, Bioinformatics Analyst, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, or Genome Analyst—preferably with remote work opportunities and a decent salary.
Are there any resources, networks, or training programs that helped you in your career that you would recommend?
Avoid long career gaps and try not to be confined to corporate roles alone. Instead, pursue trainee or associate roles in research and development as early as possible. Relocate to biotechnology hubs if necessary and begin your hands-on research journey early.
Resources:
I participated in Immunocon 2024 at IISc, Bangalore. It was a great networking opportunity and helped me connect with scientists and professionals in the field.
Part 5: Salary
Salary Range (Annual) for Freshers: Minimum ₹3.5 LPA
Salary Range (Annual) for Someone with 1-2 years Experience: Minimum ₹6 LPA
That brings us to the end of this insightful conversation. Thank you, Snehasikta, for sharing your journey and valuable advice with us. We hope this discussion helps our audience gain clarity and inspiration for their own careers. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to BioPatrika for more Career Konnect stories. See you in the next episode!
If you’re seeking guidance on lifescience careers and job opportunities, feel free to reach out to scikonnect@gmail.com. We’re happy to connect you with the right resources and partners to help you navigate your journey in industry.
