How to hire a biological scientist

How to hire a biological scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step biological scientist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a biological scientist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new biological scientist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a biological scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your biological scientist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a biological scientist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect biological scientist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of biological scientists.

   Type of Biological Scientist	Description	Hourly rate
   Biological Scientist		$20-51
   Research Fellow	A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study... Show more	$18-34
   Research Technician	A research technician is responsible for assisting in research studies and laboratory experiments. Research technicians operate laboratory tools and equipment, process data for experiments, collect samples for study, analyze existing research materials, analyze experiment results, manage inventories and stock supplies, record observations, and create reports for further examination... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Data Analysis
   • Cell Culture
   • RNA
   • Cell-Based Assays
   • Technical Reports
   • Western Blotting
   • Next-Generation Sequencing
   • DNA
   • Elisa
   • Public Health
   • Molecular Biology Techniques
   • Cell Lines
   • Research Projects
   • Extraction

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead protein biochemistry efforts for nuclear receptor group and develop bioassays and initiate new approaches.
   • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
   • Perform high molecular weight DNA extraction from bacterial cells using microbiology and molecular biology methods.
   • Provide technical/analytical inputs for the responses to FDA comments.
   • Give final presentation via PowerPoint to peers and advisors.
   • Characterize CMC drug substances for potency using in vitro effector function assay.

   More biological scientist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your biological scientist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A biological scientist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, biological scientists' average salary in florida is 57% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level biological scientists earn 61% less than senior-level biological scientists.
   • Certifications. A biological scientist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a biological scientist's salary.

   Average biological scientist salary

   $67,631yearly

   $32.51 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level biological scientist salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 26, 2025

   Average biological scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$103,627	$50
   2	Washington	$87,762	$42
   3	Massachusetts	$83,142	$40
   4	Maryland	$81,637	$39
   5	New Jersey	$77,683	$37
   6	New York	$76,209	$37
   7	North Carolina	$72,560	$35
   8	Illinois	$67,388	$32
   9	Colorado	$65,567	$32
   10	Texas	$65,548	$32
   11	Georgia	$61,122	$29
   12	Michigan	$57,270	$28
   13	Delaware	$49,816	$24
   14	Florida	$47,109	$23

   Average biological scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Schrödinger Inc	$97,646	$46.95	3
   2	Biogen	$96,312	$46.30	2
   3	PTC Therapeutics	$95,004	$45.67	3
   4	BioMarin	$94,417	$45.39	4
   5	Sarepta Therapeutics	$93,907	$45.15
   6	Novartis	$92,633	$44.54	2
   7	PRO Unlimited	$92,007	$44.23
   8	Eli Lilly and Company	$91,983	$44.22	92
   9	Novo Nordisk	$91,919	$44.19
   10	AbbVie	$90,927	$43.71	63
   11	Amgen	$90,566	$43.54	38
   12	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$90,319	$43.42	117
   13	AstraZeneca	$88,951	$42.76	17
   14	Regeneron	$88,568	$42.58	36
   15	Allergan plc	$86,609	$41.64
   16	Intellia Therapeutics	$86,546	$41.61	1
   17	Vertex Pharmaceuticals	$86,026	$41.36	5
   18	Merck	$85,831	$41.26	127
   19	Legacy Health	$84,373	$40.56	2
   20	Pfizer	$83,531	$40.16	62

4. Writing a biological scientist job description

   A biological scientist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a biological scientist job description:

   Biological scientist job description example

   This position will be responsible for performing non-research molecular testing to rapidly identify and characterize potential biological threat agents. Ensures incoming environmental samples are triaged and processed while maintaining chain of custody. Following standard protocols and quality assurance requirements, performs and interprets a variety of specialized tests for detection and identification of pathogens.
   
   Completes documentation, prepares reports, answers question, troubleshoots, and makes recommendations to the supervisor for inclusion in comprehensive reports. Maintains and operates equipment and instruments, including performing calibrations and adjustments, properly and in a safe manner. Safely handles various biological materials, including biohazardous waste. Participates in training as required. Maintain knowledge and skills related to position and program.
   
   Additionally, the Lead is responsible for work schedules, generating and maintaining documentation, performing competency assessments, executing corrective action plans, and participating in program-related communications and studies.
   
   Routine lab operations are 7/365 and team members take turns working weekends and holidays. During a biothreat emergency, 24-hour coverage of lab operations is needed, and extended work hours and alternative shift work may be required.
   
   PhD or Master's degree an accredited university in microbiology, molecular biology, or related course work in biological sciences with at least two years of laboratory bench experience using PCR, aseptic techniques, and biological assays, and at least two years of experience serving as a Senior Scientist or Team Leader of a laboratory team/project.
   
   Bachelor's degree from an accredited university requires five years of laboratory bench experience, including at least two years of experience as a Team/Leader.
   Biological Safety Level (BSL)-3 experience is desirable This position supports a Federal contract which requires that all employees and job applicants hold valid US Citizenship or are lawfully admitted for permanent US residence as evidenced by a current Permanent Resident Card (USCIS - I-551).
   
   A-TEK, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or Vietnam era or other protected Veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find biological scientists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your biological scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit biological scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit biological scientists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new biological scientist

   Once you've selected the best biological scientist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new biological scientist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a biological scientist?