What Do Biologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Biologists research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions. They also prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
• Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• Plan and administer biological research programs for government, research firms, medical industries, or manufacturing firms.
• Study aquatic plants and animals and environmental conditions affecting them, such as radioactivity or pollution.
• Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.

We asked Biologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Biologists supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists. They program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.

• Teach or supervise students and perform research at universities and colleges.
• 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.
• Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
• Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
• Study reactions of plants, animals, and marine species to parasites.

We asked some Biologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Biologists also develop methods and apparatus for securing representative plant, animal, aquatic, or soil samples. They may also identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Biologists Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment. They might also Study reactions of plants, animals, and marine species to parasites.

In addition, they Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them 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.

To some Biologists, it is also their responsibility to Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Biologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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