Become A Research Biologist

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Working As A Research Biologist

Getting Information
Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Documenting/Recording Information

Mostly Sitting
$96,410
Average Salary

What Does A Research Biologist Do At Geological Survey

* Conduct research focused on bioaccumulation and toxicity of contaminants from water, sediment, soil, and food; the physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting these processes; and relationships between laboratory responses, field responses, and characteristics of contaminated aquatic ecosystems.
* Lead research teams on a permanent and continuing basis, serves as a principal investigator on research projects, and provides scientific guidance and oversight for environmental toxicology investigations at CERC, within USGS, and for other organizations.
* Provide scientific guidance and oversight for research related to ecological restoration, behavioral toxicology, invasive species control, and other research conducted inthe Ecology Branch at CERC.
* Responsible for managing an annual research program of approximately $1,700,000 to $2,000,000

What Does A Research Biologist Do At Geological Survey

* Conduct research to understand the mechanisms of actions of chemicals on the developing embryos of fish and wildlife.
* Lead research teams on a permanent and continuing basis, and provides scientific guidance and oversight.
* Develop analytical techniques to quantify exposure and estimate toxicity in both laboratory and field studies.
* Provide technical assistance to DOI agencies and other Federal, State, and private interests as appropriate

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How To Become A Research Biologist

Medical scientists typically have a Ph.D., usually in biology or a related life science. Some medical scientists get a medical degree instead of a Ph.D., but prefer doing research to practicing as a physician.

Education

Students planning careers as medical scientists typically pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. Undergraduate students benefit from taking a broad range of classes, including life sciences, physical sciences, and math. Students also typically take courses that develop communication and writing skills, because they must learn to write grants effectively and publish research findings.

After students have completed their undergraduate studies, they typically enter Ph.D. programs. Dual-degree programs are available that pair a Ph.D. with a range of specialized medical degrees. A few degree programs that are commonly paired with Ph.D. studies are Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). Whereas Ph.D. studies focus on research methods, such as project design and data interpretation, students in dual-degree programs learn both the clinical skills needed to be a physician and the research skills needed to be a scientist.

Graduate programs emphasize both laboratory work and original research. These programs offer prospective medical scientists the opportunity to develop their experiments and, sometimes, to supervise undergraduates. Ph.D. programs culminate in a thesis that the candidate presents before a committee of professors. Students may specialize in a particular field, such as gerontology, neurology, or cancer.

Those who go to medical school spend most of the first 2 years in labs and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, medical ethics, and medical law. They also learn how to record medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses. They may be required to participate in residency programs, meeting the same requirements that physicians and surgeons have to fulfill.

Medical scientists often continue their education with postdoctoral work. Postdoctoral work provides additional and more independent lab experience, including experience in specific processes and techniques such as gene splicing, which is transferable to other research projects.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Medical scientists primarily conduct research and typically do not need licenses or certifications. However, those who administer drugs, gene therapy, or otherwise practice medicine on patients in clinical trials or a private practice need a license to practice as a physician.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Communication is critical, because medical scientists must be able to explain their conclusions. In addition, medical scientists write grant proposals, because grants often are required to fund their research.

Critical-thinking skills. Medical scientists must use their expertise to determine the best method for solving a specific research question.

Data-analysis skills. Medical scientists use statistical techniques, so that they can properly quantify and analyze health research questions.

Decisionmaking skills. Medical scientists must determine what research questions to ask, how best to investigate the questions, and what data will best answer the questions.

Observation skills. Medical scientists conduct experiments that require precise observation of samples and other health data. Any mistake could lead to inconclusive or misleading results.

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Research Biologist jobs

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Research Biologist Career Paths

Research Biologist

Senior Research Associate Senior Scientist Project Leader

Assistant Vice President

7 Yearsyrs

Senior Research Associate Scientist Project Manager

Engineering Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Associate Scientist Research Scientist Assistant Professor

Medical Director

9 Yearsyrs

Research Scientist Assistant Professor Program Director

Operations Director

9 Yearsyrs

Research Scientist Senior Scientist Group Leader

Operations Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Senior Scientist Associate Director Operations Director

President Of Operations

11 Yearsyrs

Senior Scientist Project Manager

Program Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Scientist Project Manager General Manager

Regional Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Associate Scientist Scientist Research Scientist

Senior Research Associate

6 Yearsyrs

Scientist Research Scientist

Senior Scientist

9 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Research Biochemist 4.9 years
Senior Research Specialist 4.5 years
Research Biologist 4.0 years
Research Microbiologist 4.0 years
Research Scientist 3.8 years
Associate Research Scientist 3.8 years
Senior Research Associate 3.7 years
Research Laboratory Manager 3.6 years
Senior Biologist 3.5 years
Staff Scientist 3.4 years
Research Fisheries Biologist 3.4 years
Assistant Research Scientist 3.3 years
Graduate Research Associate 3.2 years
Molecular Biologist 3.1 years
Professional Research Assistant 3.0 years
Senior Research Assistant 3.0 years
Biological Scientist 3.0 years
Staff Biologist 3.0 years
Senior Research Fellow 2.9 years
Research Associate R & D 2.8 years
Research Specialist 2.8 years
Research Technician 2.7 years
Biologist 2.5 years
Research Fellow 2.3 years
Laboratory Research Assistant 1.6 years
Research Volunteer 0.9 years
Research Trainee 0.9 years

Top Careers Before Research Biologist

Top Careers After Research Biologist

Research Biologist Demographics

Gender

Female
48.9%
Male
43.2%
Unknown
8.0%

Ethnicity

White
72.8%
Asian
16.9%
Hispanic or Latino
7.5%
Unknown
2.0%
Black or African American
0.9%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
40.0%
French
12.0%
Chinese
8.0%
Cantonese
8.0%
Mandarin
8.0%
Swedish
4.0%
Sami
4.0%
Hakka
4.0%
German
4.0%
Thai
4.0%
Italian
4.0%

Research Biologist

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Research Biologist Education

Schools

Johns Hopkins University
13.2%
University of South Florida
5.3%
Temple University
5.3%
University of Illinois at Chicago
5.3%
Pennsylvania State University
5.3%
University of Missouri - Columbia
5.3%
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
5.3%
Texas A&M University
5.3%
Michigan State University
5.3%
University of Denver
5.3%
University of Connecticut
3.9%
University of Florida
3.9%
University of Kentucky
3.9%
University of California - San Diego
3.9%
Delaware Valley University
3.9%
Southern Connecticut State University
3.9%
Harvard University
3.9%
Villanova University
3.9%
University of Montana
3.9%
Vanderbilt University
3.9%

Majors

Biology 31.7%
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology 11.7%
Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology 5.7%
Microbiology 4.8%
Cell Biology And Anatomical Science 4.8%
Pharmacy 4.4%
Environmental Science 4.4%
Chemistry 4.1%
Zoology 3.8%
Pharmacology 2.9%
Physiology And Anatomy 2.9%
Nursing 2.9%
Animal Science 2.5%
Biotechnology 2.5%
Medical Technician 1.9%
Health Care Administration 1.9%
General Education, Specific Areas 1.9%
Wildlife Management 1.9%
Finance 1.6%
Plant Sciences 1.6%

Degrees

Masters
36.0%
Bachelors
25.2%
Doctorate
22.6%
Other
8.7%
Certificate
5.4%
Associate
1.6%
License
0.2%
Diploma
0.2%

Research Biologist

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Real Research Biologist Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Research Biologist	U. S. Geological Survey	Menlo Park, CA	Aug 18, 2010	$96,867 - $125,926
Research Biologist	U. S. Geological Survey	Menlo Park, CA	Aug 23, 2010	$96,867 - $125,926
Research Biologist	U. S. Geological Survey	Menlo Park, CA	Aug 12, 2010	$96,867 - $125,926
Research Biologist	U. S. Geological Survey	Menlo Park, CA	Aug 02, 2010	$96,867 - $125,926
Senior Research Biologist	Merck & Co., Inc.	Boston, MA	Sep 15, 2010	$96,678 - $122,020
Field Research Biologist-Seeds & Traits R&D	Agrigenetics D/B/A Mycogen Corporation, A Subsidiary of The Dow Chemic	HI	Aug 29, 2016	$94,608 - $141,926
Research Biologist	North Slope Borough, Dept of Wildlife Management	Barrow, AK	Jan 01, 2011	$91,316
Researcher/Biologist	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/DHHS	Atlanta, GA	Oct 11, 2009	$86,505
Research Biologist	U. S. Geological Survey	Menlo Park, CA	Jun 21, 2010	$81,460 - $105,897
Senior Research Biologist	Merck & Co., Inc.	Point, PA	Aug 23, 2010	$81,037 - $119,628
Field Research Biologist-Seeds and Traits R&D	Agrigenetics D/B/A Mycogen Corporation, A Subsidia	HI	Aug 29, 2013	$80,964 - $121,452
Research Biologist	Merck & Co., Inc.	Rahway, NJ	Feb 28, 2012	$80,059 - $103,280
Field Research Biologist	Agrigenetics D/B/A Mycogen Corporation, A Subsidia	Kaumakani, HI	Aug 08, 2014	$75,026 - $104,916
Senior Research Biologist	Merck & Co., Inc.	Boston, MA	Sep 01, 2010	$74,006 - $119,628
Research Biologist	U. S. Geological Survey	Menlo Park, CA	Jun 07, 2010	$71,237 - $96,867
Assistant Research Biologist	University of California, San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	Sep 01, 2010	$69,000
Assistant Research Biologist	University of California, San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	Sep 01, 2011	$69,000
Research Biologist	Merck & Co., Inc.	Boston, MA	Aug 15, 2011	$68,245 - $103,280
Assistant Research Biologist	University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA	Jun 01, 2010	$61,700
Assistant Research Biologist	University of California, San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	Dec 14, 2011	$61,700
Assistant Research Biologist	University of California, San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	Dec 14, 2010	$61,700
Wildlife & Research Biologist	Hamer Environmental, L.P.	Hoquiam, WA	Mar 01, 2015	$60,112
Molecular Research Biologist	Reprogenetics LLC	Livingston, NJ	Jan 09, 2016	$60,000
Field Research Biologist	Agrigenetics D/B/A Mycogen Corporation, A Subsidiary of The Dow Chemic	HI	Aug 26, 2014	$58,152 - $87,216
Field Research Biologist	Agrigenetics D/B/A Mycogen Corporation, A Subsidia	HI	Aug 26, 2014	$58,152 - $87,216
Senior Research Biologist	Merial LLC	Athens, GA	Sep 08, 2013	$57,830 - $82,700

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Top Skills for A Research Biologist

Top Research Biologist Skills

Laboratory Equipment
Cell Lines
Procedures

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Perform general maintenance on laboratory equipment and troubleshoot where necessary.
Perform cell culture on cancer cell lines used for studies.
Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures, and chaired the Regulatory department's SOP committee.
Received award for outstanding efforts and achieving great financial savings for Safety Assessment.
Carried out molecular biology experiments using proteins and nucleic acids from human tissue and cultured cells.