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

  • Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
  • 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.
  • Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
  • Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
  • Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.
  • Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work.
  • Represent employer in a technical capacity at conferences.
  • Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
  • 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.
  • Develop methods and apparatus for securing representative plant, animal, aquatic, or soil samples.
  • 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.
  • Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
  • Research environmental effects of present and potential uses of land and water areas, determining methods of improving environmental conditions or such outputs as crop yields.
  • Study and manage wild animal populations.
  • Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
  • Prepare plans for management of renewable resources.
  • Teach or supervise students and perform research at universities and colleges.
  • Study reactions of plants, animals, and marine species to parasites.
  • Develop pest management and control measures, and conduct risk assessments related to pest exclusion, using scientific methods.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 89% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 75% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 71% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 71% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 66% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 54% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Develop collaborative relationships between departments or with external organizations.
  • Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
  • Collect environmental data or samples.
  • Communicate with government agencies.
  • Provide technical information or assistance to public.
  • Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
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Knowledge

Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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Skills

Science
  • Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop Hot Technology
Map creation software
  • Geographic information system GIS software Hot Technology
  • ESRI ArcGIS software Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology
  • Minitab Hot Technology
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • Visual Molecular Dynamics VMD
  • VayTek VoxBlast
  • Protein Explorer
  • RepeatMasker
  • SequentiX TreeMe
  • The MathWorks SimBiology
  • sim4
  • SoftZymics VisualEnzymics
  • Textco BioSoftware Gene Inspector
  • SURFDriver Software WinSURF
  • Phred
  • Phrap
  • Excavator
  • EnzymeX
  • EMBOSS
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequence analysis software
  • Blue Tractor Software DNADynamo
  • BLAT
  • BioKin PlateKi
  • Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST
  • FASTA
  • FoldX
  • Gene Codes Sequencher
  • Partek Incorporated Partek Genomics Suite
  • NAMD
  • Cubic
  • Meyer Instruments Optimas
  • MacVector
  • Joint Prediction of Operons JPOP
  • JaMBW
  • Ingenuity Systems Ingenuity Pathways Analysis
  • Agilent Technologies GeneSpring GX
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