Biologist
Biologists study living organisms and their interactions with the environment, exploring topics such as genetics, ecology and evolution to enhance our understanding of life on Earth and contribute to advancements in fields like medicine, conservation, and agriculture.
Day-to-day Tasks
Your tasks will depend on your specialism but you could:
- plan trials and analyse data, for example in crop production or medicine research
- study and protect endangered land and marine plants and animals
- develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease
- make observations, write reports and publish scientific papers
- teach students at a University or in a teaching hospital
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of biology
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- maths knowledge
- excellent written communication skills
- analytical thinking skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- persistence and determination
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Industry Qualifications
You'll usually need a relevant degree and often a postgraduate master's qualification in a life science subject like biology, biological science, ecology or marine biology.
Employers may also want you to have experience in your area of interest and possibly a PHD.