What does a senior biologist do?
Senior biologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior biologist resumes:
- Lead teams involve in preclinical toxicity assessment of anticancer NCEs and establishment of GLP compliant toxicology division.
- Design a bedbug assay used for GLP testing.
- Assist in development of the GPS data dictionaries used for the project.
- Participate in the design and implementation of genetic DNA contract research with NCI.
- Supervise biologists, radar software engineers, and GIS staff during preparation of the interim and final reports.
- Perform biological surveys using handheld GPS units for threaten, endanger and sensitive species, to include botanical species.
- Develop TaqMan analyses to correlate transgene RNA expression with protein activity in tobacco.
- Organize and participate in elk population helicopter survey, utilizing census data to determine big game harvest values for upper management.
- Eagle minute and nest surveys.
- Conduct annual waterfowl, goshawk, Columbian sharp-tail grouse, great gray owl and bald and golden eagle surveys.
- Perform research in immunology and virology as a part of the vaccine development division; develop and validate bioassays.
Senior biologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Senior Biologists are proficient in Renewable Energy, Data Collection, and Species ACT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Emotional stamina and stability, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Biologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Renewable Energy, 28%
Managed biological teams on renewable energy generation and transmission projects throughout the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Desert Southwest.
- Data Collection, 13%
Managed and supervised data collection and field investigations of animal and plant distribution, recreation impacts, and public input.
- Species ACT, 10%
Prepare technical biological reports to include biologicalreviews, biological evaluations/assessments and informal Endangered Species Act (ESA)consultations.
- Research Projects, 5%
Direct funded research projects as principal investigator.
- Sops, 4%
Assisted in writing and review of relevant SOPs.
- Cell-Based Assays, 4%
Perform various immunological and cell-based assays to support client research.
"renewable energy," "data collection," and "species act" are among the most common skills that senior biologists use at work. You can find even more senior biologist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a senior biologist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "zoologists and wildlife biologists write about and present their research to the public, policymakers, and academic audiences." Additionally, a senior biologist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "supported communication between dner and federal agencies regarding research being conducted, effective reporting and data dissemination and local permit requirements. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain senior biologist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a senior biologist rely on this skill, as "zoologists and wildlife biologists try to find solutions to wildlife threats, such as disease and habitat loss." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what senior biologists do: "interact directly with blm representatives and submit daily environmental compliance inquires on construction activities, compliance issues and mitigation resolutions. "
The three companies that hire the most senior biologists are:
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Senior biologist vs. Fish culture technician
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior biologist responsibilities require skills like "renewable energy," "data collection," "species act," and "research projects." Meanwhile a typical fish culture technician has skills in areas such as "lab equipment," "data entry," "oversight," and "medical terminology." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Fish culture technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than senior biologists. In fact, fish culture technicians are 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior biologist vs. Fish culture supervisor
Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior biologist resumes. While senior biologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "renewable energy," "data collection," "species act," and "research projects," fish culture supervisors use skills like "payroll," "customer service," "performance evaluations," and "cultural events."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Fish culture supervisors tend to reach lower levels of education than senior biologists. In fact, they're 13.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior biologists in the next 3-5 years?
Senior Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Career Services, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Senior biologist vs. Aquatic scientist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior biologist is likely to be skilled in "renewable energy," "species act," "research projects," and "usace," while a typical aquatic scientist is skilled in "statistical analyses," "analyze data," "water plants," and "collection systems."
Most aquatic scientists achieve a similar degree level compared to senior biologists. For example, they're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 5.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior biologist vs. Research fisheries biologist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior biologists and research fisheries biologists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior biologist might have more use for skills like "renewable energy," "data collection," "species act," and "usace." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of research fisheries biologists require skills like "noaa," "conduct research," "pi," and "creek. "
Research fisheries biologists reach higher levels of education compared to senior biologists, in general. The difference is that they're 10.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of senior biologist
Updated January 8, 2025











