While most health careers at the forefront of the healthcare industry are involved in the actual delivery of services, others are focused on conducting studies and research. One such career is that of a research biologist.
A research biologist, in its strictest sense, is an individual who studies and performs research on different organisms and their biological procedures for the purpose of improving human knowledge of diseases and other medical conditions. He or she must also report any important findings to the appropriate individuals. To become a research biologist, an individual not only has to master biology, he or she must also master other skills and meet certain requirements. Biology is a broad field and research biology can range from a fish biologist to a geneticist. Depending on the specific biological field you want to enter, your education can differ tremendously. Here’s a more specific guideline on how to become a research biologist.
- Have an extensive understanding of a research biologist job description. The general job description of a research biologist is to conduct research about different aspects of biology. Specifically, a research biologist either has to go onsite to gather data about organisms and their environment or work in a laboratory to fulfill his or her research duties. A research biologist analyzes all the biological data, constructs a report of findings and disseminates information to the corresponding firm, such as the government, academic institutions, drug manufacturers and medical organizations. These findings may be used to design a treatment plan for a certain disease, improve an environmental protection program, create a drug or benefit a project having to do with living organisms.
- Earn the appropriate degree. A bachelor’s degree in biology is needed for a career as a research biologist. A bachelor’s degree will enable you to get an entry-level job in the research biology field you desire. Other than general education classes, most courses will need to be completed in a classroom or laboratory environment. A post-graduate degree is necessary for more competitive biologist jobs, such as managerial and academic positions. Research biology is a competitive field, and because scientific technology is always improving, keeping up to date on education is important. Many research biologists obtain a PhD and then continue staying up to date by completing post-doctorate education. Research biologists at this level also become professors at colleges and universities.
- Choose a specialization. Biology is an expansive field; therefore, concentration in a specialty is typically required. Specialties in biology jobs include marine biology, wildlife, botany, zoology, ecology, physiology and microbiology.
- Master the necessary skills. The work of a research biologist is largely investigative in scope. Skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, reasoning and comprehension should be particularly sharp no matter what the specialty. Because the job also involves working within a set deadline, an aspiring research biologist should be able to effectively manage his or her time, organize well and plan accordingly. Written and oral skills, which involve both expressing oneself through writing and speaking and understanding written and verbally communicated statements, should also be mastered for successful biology careers. This is because a research biologist has to communicate, orally and in writing, with a host of different individuals to gather information and report findings.
- Immerse yourself in other fields. An aspiring research biologist should have extensive knowledge of other disciplines and fields to expand his or her opportunities in biology careers. In particular, a research biologist needs to have adequate training in computer and electronic technology, since he or she will be working with advanced computer software, sophisticated equipment and other types of high-tech applications and hardware. He or she must also have knowledge of government laws and policies because at a certain point during research, the research biologist will touch on topics and issues that have legal implications. Mathematics, geography and other scientific disciplines also should be mastered for the smooth progression of the research project. Research biology requires one to always be a student of their work and constantly learn new skills and ideas.
Research biology is a quickly growing field and is expected to grow 21% by the year 2018. The median salary of a research biologist is about $60,000 per year. Due to the variety of specialties in this field and the differences in education, research biologists can make upwards of $115,000 annually.
The job of a research biologist is highly intellectual in nature. It involves a lot of thinking, studying and reasoning, and therefore falls into the realm of research scientist jobs. If careers in environmental science are of interest to you, then prepare in advance to develop the skills early and meet the requirements for this challenging yet rewarding occupation.