Biologists

19-1029.04

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

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• 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.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Agilent Technologies GeneSpring GX; Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST; BioKin PlateKi; BLAT; Blue Tractor Software DNADynamo; CUBIC; Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequence analysis software; EMBOSS; EnzymeX; Excavator; FASTA; FoldX; Gene Codes Sequencher; IBM SPSS Statistics 🔥; Ingenuity Systems Ingenuity Pathways Analysis; JaMBW; Joint Prediction of Operons JPOP; MacVector; Meyer Instruments Optimas; Minitab; NAMD; Partek Incorporated Partek Genomics Suite; Phrap; Phred; Protein Explorer; RepeatMasker; SequentiX TreeMe; sim4; SoftZymics VisualEnzymics; SURFDriver Software WinSURF; Textco BioSoftware Gene Inspector; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; The Mathworks SimBiology; VayTek VoxBlast; Visual Molecular Dynamics VMD; Wolfram Research Mathematica
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - TIBCO Spotfire
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥; Structured query language SQL 🔥
• Development environment software - National Instruments LabVIEW; Software development tools
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥; Geographic information system GIS software
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Photoshop 🔥
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ 🔥; Oracle Java 🔥; Perl 🔥; Python ; R
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥; UNIX 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
• Communicate results of environmental research.
• Develop collaborative relationships between departments or with external organizations.
• Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
• Collect environmental data or samples.
• Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
• Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
• Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.
• Communicate with government agencies.
• Provide technical information or assistance to public.
• Prepare proposal documents or grant applications.
• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
• Review plans or proposals for environmental conservation.
• Develop biological research methods.
• Plan biological research.
• Write grant proposals.
• Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
• Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
• Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
• Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
• Research diseases or parasites.