Biologists

What the job really is

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-1029
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
• Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
• Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
• Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
• Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
• Review reports and proposals, such as those relating to land use classifications and recreational development, for accuracy, adequacy, or adherence to policies, regulations, or scientific standards.
• Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
• Teach or supervise students and perform research at universities and colleges.
• Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
• Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.

Tools and technology

Adobe Photoshop, C++, ESRI ArcGIS software, IBM SPSS Statistics, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Oracle Java, Perl

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Molecular and Cellular Biologists
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Geneticists
• Biological Technicians
• Microbiologists
• Biochemists and Biophysicists
• Soil and Plant Scientists
• Conservation Scientists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Biologists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.