Biological/Research Scientist

Biological/Research scientists study reproduction, growth and development, function, structure, behavior and other aspects of living organisms to develop medicines, prevent disease, and promote health.

Specializations

• Anatomist – studies organ structure in animals and applies to human medicine.
• Aquatic Biologist – studies micro-organisms, plants, and animals living in water.
• Biochemist – researches how various substances affect living organisms and their functions.
• Biophysicist – studies and analyzes mechanical and electrical energy in living cells and tissues.
• Botanist – studies plants and their environments.
• Ecologist – investigates relationships among organisms and between organisms and their environments.
• Epidemiologist – studies the causes and spread of diseases among populations and determine ways to prevent or control diseases.
• Geneticist – studies characteristics and inherited traits of humans and animals.
• Histopathologist – studies how disease affects human and animal tissues.
• Limnologist – studies fresh water organisms.
• Marine Biologist – studies salt water organisms.
• Microbiologist – examines and studies characteristics of bacteria and other microorganisms.
• Pharmacologist – analyzes the effects of drugs and other materials on human and animal tissue and functions of the biological system.
• Physicist – researches physical phenomena and applies the theory and laws of physics to industry, medicine and other areas.
• Physiologist – studies life functions of plants and animals, both in the whole organism and at the cellular or molecular level.
• Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist – studies animals and wildlife, their origin, behavior, diseases, and life processes.

Work Activities/Work Locations

Biological Research Scientists work as consultants, or they are employed by private companies such as chemical or pharmaceutical, research facilities, the government, and laboratories. Some scientists may work in management positions. They may work in laboratories, hospitals or depending upon the specialty, outside of a laboratory, in classrooms, or offices. They work regular hours, 40-hours a week, although if working in field research, hours can vary and the work may be physically demanding.