Biologist

Overview | Career Path/Salary | Our Survey Says

It takes all types

Biologists study the world around us--how living
things work, change and affect each other and
their environment. It seems that there are almost
as many types of biologist as there are fauna and
flora. Biologists are classified by the type of
organism or by the life processes they study. For
example, biochemists unravel the relationships
between physiology and chemistry and the way
living organisms metabolize, grow and reproduce.
Microbiologists, on the other hand, study
bacteria, algae and fungi; medical microbiologists
study the cause of diseases and develop
antibiotics. Other types of biologists include
marine biologists, botanists, physiologists,
zoologists, agricultural scientists and biomedical
scientists.
Research
The essence of biology is research--both in the
laboratory and out in the field. Some of the
research is pursued simply to expand the
knowledge of living organisms. Other researchers
work on immediately applicable research, geared
toward different goals such as developing new
medicines, improving farming techniques or
cleaning up the environment. Not only do
biologists often work toward different ends, but
they also have a variety of work environments to
choose from. Some work at colleges and
universities or for the federal government. Still
others work for private companies, where the pay
is high, but research opportunities relatively
restricted (controlled by the employer). Often,
private sector biologists work as consultants to
businesses or in testing development for

Uppers
Flexible hours
Relaxed dress code

Downers
Low starting pay

Personality
Match
Inquisitive
Open-minded
Aptitude for science

Personality Miss
Rigid
Conformist

biomedical companies.
Working for the Man
One out of every three biological scientists is
employed by federal, state or local government.
Federal biologists work mainly for the Food and
Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, the Departments of the Interior and
even for the Department of Defense. Increasing
interest in genetic mapping and biological
terrorism, and the resulting flood of books and
movies dealing with biological subjects has shone
a spotlight on the work of biologists.
With this focus on their area of expertise,
biologists are sometimes viewed as the
crusaders, tackling the blights of the last century:
global warming, depletion of the rainforests and
AIDS. The majority of PhD-holding biologists work
in colleges and universities, sharing their
research with their colleagues and students. In
general, career biologists work long hours,
particularly those working in the public sector or
doing independent research, because they are
driven by a love for their subject.
Career Path/Salary
With a bachelor of science degree, aspiring biologists can start out in
testing and inspection work or find positions as technical sales or service
representatives for biomedical and pharmaceutical companies. However,
those without advanced degrees have difficulty finding work in a lab or
doing original research; most career biologists have a master's or PhD
degree.
Master's holders work as research assistants for post-doctorate biologists or
as managers and inspectors. Doctoral candidates engage in classroom and
fieldwork, and lab research and must also write their thesis or dissertation.
After earning their PhDs, new biologists often take temporary post-doctoral
research positions, which provide specialized research experience. A PhD
is a prerequisite for college teaching, independent research and
advancement to administrative positions. For those interested in applied
research, secondary school teaching, working for the government as
inspectors, or in the business side of biology, a master's degree is sufficient.
Medical scientists who administer drug or gene therapy to humans, or who
have any medical contact with patients, must have a medical degree in
addition to the PhD.

Hours
Average about 40 per week

Salary
Median salary: $60,940
Median entry-level salary (with
a bachelor's degree): $34,953
Average Federal Government
biological scientist salary:
$72,146

Skills To Acquire
Bachelor of science, master's
or PhD degree

Our Survey Says

The hours of a biologist are "among the most flexible of any job." "Research is not a 9-to-5 job," says one biologist.
"You may find yourself going to work in the middle of the night or on weekends." Some biologists at universities and
colleges can feel a "publish or perish" mentality that will affect how much biologists are expected to work. But, "due to
the level of independence in research jobs, this schedule doesn't seem to be too bothersome." Co-workers, who have
committed their lives to science, are reportedly "dedicated and warm." And that high opinion goes beyond the
laboratory; says one biologist, "another plus is the respect and image that most people give you when you tell them
that you are a scientist."
Biologists' "corporate culture," so to speak, is dictated by their specialization and workplace. For many lab and
research positions, "T-shirts and jeans are quite fine," and suits are seldom required. Biologist contacts we spoke to
are satisfied professionals, "just happy to be doing something (they) care about and believe in."