Biologist

Biologists study all living things, from plants and animals to micro-organisms, and how they relate to each other and to their environment. Many biologists use their findings to solve problems or develop new products and processes. Biology is a broad subject and there are many specialisms within it.

Work activities

Specialisms within biology include human biology, other animals (zoology), plants (botany), microbiology, biotechnology, genetics, immunology and biomedical science. Many biologists are laboratory-based. However, depending on the area they work in, they might also spend time outside the laboratory, doing fieldwork to collect samples or monitor experiments. In the laboratory, biologists design and set up experiments, measure and observe change, record results (often using statistics and computer packages) and analyse and display results using a variety of charts, graphs, models and reports (again, using computer software).

Biologists use many techniques and technologies in their work. These range from making observations with the naked eye to studying micro-organisms by using electron microscopes, and from designing complex individual experiments to testing thousands of samples very quickly using automated testing equipment. Biologists are involved in either pure or applied research. Pure research, which usually takes place in universities, is the development of knowledge to find out why things happen and to test theories. Applied research is to discover how biology can solve problems, such as finding a new drug to treat disease, improving crop yields, managing pollution and protecting endangered species. Research and development biologists work in universities, research centres and industry, especially in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agrochemical companies. While biologists may spend time working alone, either in the laboratory or during fieldwork, their work is likely to bring them into contact with other types of scientist (chemists and physicists) and with biologists who have a different specialist knowledge from their own (such as zoological scientists, ecologists, botanists and biotechnologists). Biologists often lead teams of technicians, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the laboratory.

Apart from research and development, there are biologists in education, researching and lecturing in universities and teaching in schools and colleges. Biologists also work in science communication, as demonstrators in science centres, museums and nature centres, and in the media, for example, as science magazine and newspaper journalists.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a biologist, you’ll need:

Analytical skills, an enquiring mind and the ability to think logically.
A thorough and methodical approach to your work.
Organisational skills to plan and carry out experiments.
The ability to explain results clearly and concisely, including in written reports.
Teamwork skills.
Communication skills.
The ability to use a variety of laboratory equipment.
Strong number skills to produce statistics and other numerical data.
The ability to learn and follow safety procedures.

Biologists must also be willing to keep up to date with advances in their specialist area, for example, by reading scientific journals, becoming a member of a professional body like the Royal Society of Biology or going to conferences.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for biologists vary. The pay rates given are approximate. Biologists earn in the range of £24,000, rising to £40,000 with experience.

Biologists usually work 38-40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, they might have early starts, late finishes, shifts and weekend work, for example, as deadlines approach.

Employers throughout the UK are companies in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, and in industrial biotechnology. There are also opportunities in the NHS, and in local and national government departments and agencies, and research councils. Other biologists work in university research and teaching posts. Opportunities for biologists occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in science magazines such as New Scientist (which also posts jobs on its website), on specialist job boards, and in national/local newspapers.

Entry routes and training

Most entrants have at least a first (undergraduate) degree, either in a general biology subject (such as biological science or applied biology) or in one of the very many specialist areas, such as zoological science, biotechnology, biomedical science, ecology or botany. The course content for general degrees varies depending on the university, although core subjects usually include anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, and the behaviour and ecology of animals and plants. Mathematics, statistics and computer studies are often supporting subjects. Later on in the course, you’ll usually be able to specialise in particular areas of biology, such as genetics, microbiology, immunology and biochemistry. Sandwich degrees enable you to spend a year in industry, for example, with a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.

Some universities offer degree courses with a foundation year. This is an extra year for students who don’t have the specified science A-levels for entry. Entry might also be possible with an HND or foundation degree, although this will usually be into a technical-level post. Many people with general first degrees go on to take specialist postgraduate MSc degrees or undertake research towards an MPhil or PhD. Some employers ask for a postgraduate qualification, and you’ll usually need one to enter a research post in higher education or a research centre.

Once you enter the workplace, you’ll have on-the-job training in laboratory techniques and procedures, specialist equipment and software. Some employers enable graduates to gain a postgraduate qualification or technicians to complete a degree while working.

Nowadays, it is possible to enter this career through a higher or degree apprenticeship. This way, you will train with employer on the job and work towards your degree or other higher-level qualifications on day or block release. Relevant qualifications include:

Laboratory scientist (level 6 / degree)
Research scientist (level 7 / higher)
Bioinformatics scientist (level 7 / degree)

With a general degree such as biology or bioscience, you can progress to specialise in a very wide variety of areas, including zoological science, botany, microbiology, genetics and immunology. You might need a postgraduate qualification to enter posts in some specialist areas. Progression within a career could be into a supervisory or management post.

Qualifications

To enter a degree course in biological science, the usual minimum requirement is:

Two to three A-levels. Biology is usually essential and you might need at least one other science subject.
GCSEs at grade 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4. Either English or maths, or both, can be specified.

To enter a higher or degree apprenticeship programme, you will need two A-levels and GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have gained skills during industrial work placements or relevant scientific fieldwork.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, for example, Access to Science. You don’t usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider. A foundation year before the start of a science degree or HND is available at some universities and higher education colleges for students who don’t have the science A levels usually needed for entry.

Funding for postgraduate study and research is available, through universities, from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI.)

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