Biologists and related scientists
Career Overview
Biologists and related scientists carry out research to gain knowledge of living organisms, to manage natural resources, and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture.
Biologists and related scientists work in both laboratory and field settings for:
- Governments
- Environmental consulting companies
- Resource and utilities companies
- Chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies
- Health and educational institutions
Job Titles
Duties
Biologists:
- Plan and carry out studies of the environment
- Plan and carry out studies of the population, distribution, structure, functional characteristics and behaviour of plants and animals
- Carry out environmental impact studies and prepare reports
- Study, identify and classify plant and animal specimens
- Carry out experiments in plant or animal growth, heredity and breeding
- Prepare reports and plans for management of renewable resources
- Supervise biological technicians and other scientists
Microbiologists and cell and molecular biologists:
- Carry out research into the structure, function, ecology, biotechnology and genetics of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoans and algae
- Research the structure and workings of human, animal and plant tissues and cells
- Carry out studies into the identification, effects and control of human, plant and animal microorganisms and poisons
- Run clinical or laboratory studies to test, check and screen drugs
- Carry out molecular or biochemical studies and experiments into genetics, gene manipulation and recombinant DNA technology
- Carry out research in biotechnologyto find, develop, refine and evaluate new products
- Participate in the commercialization of new products
- Supervise biological technicians and other scientists
- Conduct biostatistical data analysis using computer modelling techniques
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
5,960% Employed Full Time
72%Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office, hospital or school, or an outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to various weather conditions.
Also, the worker may be exposed to infectious bacteria and viruses that may cause illness. This could arise while investigating outbreaks of food and environment related diseases and poisonings, or while conducting microbiological tests and laboratory analyses. Safety precautions and procedures in place minimize risks.
Career Pathways
Career path information is currently not available.
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in biology or in a related discipline is required for biologists
- Master's or doctoral degree in biology or a related discipline is required for employment as a research scientist in biology
- Post-doctoral research experience is usually required before employment in academic departments or research institutions
Biologists who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact the College of Applied Biologists for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
5,960Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 130 | 2.2% |
| Kootenay | 245 | 4.1% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 3,625 | 60.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 175 | 2.9% |
| Northeast | 85 | 1.4% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 555 | 9.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 1,145 | 19.2% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
2,040Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | 0.3% |
| Kootenay | 70 | 0.4% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,390 | 1.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 30 | 0.4% |
| Northeast | 20 | 1.4% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 180 | 1.2% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 320 | 1.1% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,040 |
| Public Administration | 330 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 170 |
| Manufacturing | 170 |
| Educational Services | 90 |
Resources
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Association of Professional Biology (APB)professionalbiology.com
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Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB)www.cecab.org
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Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB)csmb-scbm.ca
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Canadian Society of Plant Biologistswww.cspb-scbv.ca
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Canadian Society of Zoologistswww.csz-scz.ca
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College of Applied Biology of British Columbia, Employment Postingswww.cab-bc.org/job-postings
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Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society (CMBES)www.cmbes.ca
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a biologist is like.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a biologist is like.
