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What does a biological science technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Shailesh Lal
What does a biological science technician do

A biological science technician is responsible for supporting scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and examinations. Biological science technicians perform data analysis procedures, evaluate findings, and create data reports. They also ensure the cleanliness of the laboratory, including the laboratory tools and equipment, to prevent contamination that may affect the accuracy of test results. A biological science technician must have excellent scientific knowledge, especially on the application of scientific methods, assessing research studies, and other related scientific principles.

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Biological science technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real biological science technician resumes:

  • Create PowerPoint and other support media for presentation of research to PhD research leads.
  • Assist in developing a genetic algorithm for generating sound recognition templates for insect calls (still ongoing).
  • Develop an image viewer design to let researchers train programs so that they can see and label insect calls
  • General laboratory work - collecting tissue sample, organization/preparation, plant seeds, greenhouse work, maintenance of plants, etc
  • Train on FDA regulations for biological materials and regulating inventory.
  • Prepare bacteria suspension for greenhouse cotton bolls and inject bacterial suspension bolls.
  • Train in intermediate processing including working with isolate stem cells while meetingcompany and FDA regulations for lifesaving and life-enhancing products.
  • Train associates how to maintain and troubleshoot immunoassay instruments, prepare dilutions, evaluate interfering substances and perform accelerate stability testing.
  • Monitor experiments, prepare stock solutions and media, and work closely with microorganisms.
  • Prepare samples for HPLC analysis.
  • Review, edit, and enforce USCG - EPA site safety plans.
  • Conduct protein expression, purification, and analysis for ELISA development.
  • Participate in management meetings strategizing detection and extraction of DNA in microorganisms.
  • Respond to pollution incidents involving oil or HAZMAT affecting federally regulate waters.
  • Serve as tech rep for HazMat sampling and monitoring equipment, including operational techniques and data interpretations.

Biological science technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Biological Science Technicians are proficient in Laboratory Equipment, Data Collection, and Rehabilitation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Observational skills.

We break down the percentage of Biological Science Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Laboratory Equipment, 10%

    Cleanse and sterilize laboratory equipment, glassware and other critical instruments.

  • Data Collection, 7%

    Recognized for exceptional skills in ecological field data collection, organization, and analysis.

  • Rehabilitation, 7%

    Presented employer information to State of Oregon vocational rehabilitation agencies.

  • Scientific Data, 5%

    Verify the accuracy of scientific data entries & retrievals, and maintain data integrity and verify accuracy of entered data.

  • USDA, 5%

    Utilized ArcGIS and GPS data self-collected in the field to produce maps for USDA research scientists.

  • Water Quality, 4%

    Determined if facilities met technology-based and water quality-based permitting conditions upon permit renewal.

Common skills that a biological science technician uses to do their job include "laboratory equipment," "data collection," and "rehabilitation." You can find details on the most important biological science technician responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a biological science technician to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Additionally, a biological science technician resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed water quality and followed all standard procedures for environmental dna sampling. "

Communication skills. Many biological science technician duties rely on communication skills. "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists," so a biological science technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways biological science technician responsibilities rely on communication skills: "applied skills include equipment maintenance, public communication and computer data entry. "

Observational skills. biological science technicians are also known for observational skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to biological science technician responsibilities, because "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments." A biological science technician resume example shows how observational skills is used in the workplace: "used keen observational skills and strong communication with conservation law enforcement to find and remove trespassers. "

Technical skills. A big part of what biological science technicians do relies on "technical skills." You can see how essential it is to biological science technician responsibilities because "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical biological science technician tasks: "provide technical support for research projects relating to peanut production management and marketing. "

See the full list of biological science technician skills

The three companies that hire the most biological science technicians are:

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Compare different biological science technicians

Biological science technician vs. Laboratory internship

A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results. They must have excellent knowledge of scientific procedures, demonstrating their class learnings to practical applications. A laboratory intern must be detail-oriented, especially on conducting and verifying the accuracy of research materials. It is also required for a laboratory intern to be a fast-learner, understanding the scientific complexities to master various approaches.

The annual salary of laboratory interns is $85 lower than the average salary of biological science technicians.Even though biological science technicians and laboratory interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require laboratory equipment, data collection, and water quality in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, biological science technician responsibilities require skills like "rehabilitation," "scientific data," "usda," and "natural resources." Meanwhile a typical laboratory internship has skills in areas such as "lab procedures," "chemistry," "python," and "c++." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, laboratory interns reach similar levels of education than biological science technicians. Laboratory interns are 2.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Biological science technician vs. Research assistant, chemistry department

A biology laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting scientists or researchers and performing laboratory support tasks on a daily basis. Their responsibilities include setting up and sanitizing equipment, preparing samples, maintaining documentation of all experiments and procedures, writing laboratory reports, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they must update databases, answer calls and correspondence, and grade student papers. Furthermore, a biology laboratory assistant must maintain the cleanliness of laboratories, all while implementing its policies and regulations.

A career as a research assistant, chemistry department brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a biological science technician. In fact, research assistants, chemistry department salary is $29,012 higher than the salary of biological science technicians per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Biological science technicians and research assistants, chemistry department both require similar skills like "laboratory equipment," "data collection," and "pcr" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real biological science technician resumes. While biological science technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "rehabilitation," "scientific data," "usda," and "water quality," research assistants, chemistry department use skills like "nmr," "sem," "tem," and "dr."

Research assistants, chemistry department earn similar levels of education than biological science technicians in general. They're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for biological science technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Shailesh LalShailesh Lal LinkedIn profile

Professor, Oakland University

Of course, online education and long distance teleconferencing are predicted to have a dramatic impact on everyday life after the pandemic. As Bill Gates recently said, 50% of the corporation related travel will be replaced permanently by virtual meetings. The advancement in vaccination development, mass production, and enhanced distribution to billions of world population will significantly and positively create an unprecedented job market in the pertinent biomedical engineering field. The biomedical engineers are also expected to play an integral role in long term medical implications and rehabilitation of recovered patients from COVID19 infection, and preparation of a task force to combat future pandemics.

Biological science technician vs. Fishery observer

On average scale, fishery observers bring in higher salaries than biological science technicians. In fact, they earn a $1,063 higher salary per year.biological science technicians and fishery observers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data collection," "scientific data," and "biological data," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from biological science technician resumes include skills like "laboratory equipment," "rehabilitation," "usda," and "water quality," whereas a fishery observer is more likely to list skills in "vessel safety," "fisheries management," "nmfs," and "safety inspections. "

Fishery observers typically earn similar educational levels compared to biological science technicians. Specifically, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Biological science technician vs. Biology laboratory assistant

Biology laboratory assistants typically earn lower pay than biological science technicians. On average, biology laboratory assistants earn a $1,150 lower salary per year.According to resumes from biological science technicians and biology laboratory assistants, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "data collection," "pcr," and "research projects. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between biological science technicians and biology laboratory assistants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a biological science technician might have more use for skills like "laboratory equipment," "rehabilitation," "scientific data," and "usda." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of biology laboratory assistants require skills like "lab equipment," "biology laboratory," "chemistry," and "anatomy. "

In general, biology laboratory assistants hold similar degree levels compared to biological science technicians. Biology laboratory assistants are 4.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of biological science technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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