Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Biologist
A biologist is a professional who studies living organisms and their interactions with the environment. They explore the complexities of life, ranging from microorganisms to plants and animals. Biologists play a crucial role in understanding the natural world, conducting research, and applying their knowledge to various fields such as medicine, agriculture, conservation, and environmental science. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for biologists.
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Main Responsibilities of a Biologist
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Biologist:
Adhere to
Adhere to all Quality Requirements including strict Gowning and Hygiene requirements.
Adhere to ethical guidelines and safety protocols in scientific research.
Analyze
Analyze biological data in a statistically rigorous manner.
Analyze environmental or air samples for acutely hazardous Biological and Chemical contamination.
Analyze high-throughput data from pre-clinical studies supporting development of novel IO therapies.
Apply
Apply for grants and funding opportunities to support research initiatives.
Apply principles of sound statistical design and develop novel methods when appropriate.
Apply statistical methods for data analysis and interpretation.
Apply Technology to Tasks.
Assist in
Assist in bringing in additional testing capabilities to the microbiology lab as deemed necessary.
Assist in the care, maintenance and procurement of office equipment and supplies.
Assist in the review of qualification reports related to drug preparations.
Assist management and lead with method suitability testing and reporting.
Assist the NS Stewardship Coordinator with ongoing stewardship activities as needed.
Assist with data entry into standard templates using Microsoft Excel.
Assist with QA project updates.
Assist with QA\QC and analysis of biological samples collected during sampling operations.
Assist with the planning, design, and monitoring of ecological restoration sites.
Attend
Attend cross-functional meetings as a QC Microbiology representative.
Author
Author and review protocols, reports, CAPAs, DEs, LIs, etc..
Catch
Catch and handle turtles in holding pens by snorkel.
Characterize
Characterize antibodies by cell-based assays, ELISA, IP, Co-IP, Western Blot, and FACS.
Coach
Coach junior team members, particularly in software development.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with government agencies and organizations for policy development.
Collaborate with other researchers and professionals on interdisciplinary projects.
Collect
Collect and record biological samples for analysis.
Communicate with
Communicate effectively with supervisor and others as appropriate on work status.
Communicate the findings to rest of the organization to inform future experiments.
Communicate with ICF project managers and senior biologists.
Complete
Complete assigned lab duties and reports.
Conduct
Conduct antibiotic product release testing.
Conduct experiments to test hypotheses and theories.
Conduct fieldwork to observe and collect data in natural habitats.
Conduct research experiments and analyze data.
Conduct risk assessments related to biological hazards.
Conduct Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. jurisdictional delineation and reports.
Contact
Contact clients in the business streams regarding their testing needs.
Contribute to
Contribute to document change control activities in Agile.
Contribute to on-going efforts in investigating biology / analytical platforms.
Contribute to proposals and other business development activities.
Contribute to the conservation and management of natural resources.
Coordinate
Coordinate and monitors the availability of Environmental monitoring supplies and equipment.
Coordinate and monitors the availability of laboratory supplies and equipment.
Design
Design and implement scientific studies and experiments.
Develop
Develop and maintain research protocols and procedures.
Develop, evaluate and perform specialized molecular diagnostic analyses for patients.
Develop, manage and coordinate the natural environment component of projects and programs.
Develop novel, in house in vivo.
Develop relationships at the site and across the network to ensure success in role.
Develop sterilization process parameters based on device / packaging design.
Develop, validates, and implement controlled environment.
Document
Document field findings in monitoring logs, reports or email communications, as appropriate.
Document work appropriately in lab notebooks and technical memos.
Document work carefully, maintain an electronic lab notebook and other key documentation.
Draft
Draft sections of environmental assessments.
Ensure
Ensure completion of routine product quality audits and reporting of results.
Ensure compliance to all regulatory and our company's Guidelines.
Ensure sampling is conducted in a timely manner to meet required turn-around times.
Ensure staff are properly trained and evaluate competency of staff.
Ensure the efficient and timely completion of work in accordance with the established priorities.
Establish
Establish priorities of individual or project assignments.
Evaluate
Evaluate alternative analytical methods relevant to the needs of Genentech Human Genetics scientists.
Evaluate and interprets microbial results including preparation of Micro related CoA as required.
Evaluate and recommend new emerging single-cell genomics analytical approaches.
Execute
Execute and analyze the overall aim of promoting innovative drug discovery.
Explore
Explore the physiology and behavior of living organisms.
Exposure
Exposure to data analysis for specific clinical / drug discovery projects.
Follow
Follow one- or two-step verbal instructions.
Formulate
Formulate or assists in formulating quality control policies and procedures.
Formulate solutions for customer, plant operations, and regulatory needs.
Gather
Gather information from, and present results to a broad range of non-computational staff.
Identify
Identify and classify different species of organisms.
Identify cost savings without compromising quality.
Incorporate
Incorporate check processes to safeguard the verification and accurate reporting of test results.
Initiate
Initiate or maintains schedule for projects and project milestones.
Initiate Section 7 Consultation under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
Interpret
Interpret water quality data in relation to aquatic biota, livestock, and / or human health.
Investigate
Investigate the ecological interactions between organisms and their environment.
Liaise with
Liaise with clients and regulatory agencies.
Maintain
Maintain accurate and detailed records of research procedures and results.
Maintain a high degree of technical competence.
Maintain inventory of lab supplies.
Maintain lab equipment and optimizes lab operations for efficient use of time and resource.
Maintain notebooks and files compliant with current GMPs and SOPs.
Maintain test schedules in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Make
Make simple chemical solutions following standardized recipes.
Manage
Manage laboratory purchase of inventory, storage and supplies usage.
Manage, plan, and lead fish salvage or water quality field programs.
Manage, plan, and lead freshwater field programs (fish, fish habitat, and water quality).
Manage, plan and lead freshwater fisheries programs (fish, fish habitat and water quality).
Manage tasks according to approved scopes of work.
Manage the NS mapping and GIS files and prepare maps as needed.
Manage the preparation of study reports, including data analysis and interpretation.
Manage time effectively to complete assignments in expected time frame.
Mentor
Mentor and supervise junior researchers and students.
Mentor / mentee opportunities and competence training / coaching.
Mentor other QC staff members to encourage excellence and aid their continuous improvement.
Monitor
Monitor and assess the impact of environmental factors on organisms.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings.
Notify
Notify supervisor of technical or personnel problems that impact the functioning of the laboratory.
Observe
Observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources.
Observe and execute all laboratory safety and security policies and regulations.
Participate in
Participate in analytical developmental activities as required.
Participate in commissioning, factory and site testing where required.
Participate in community outreach and education programs.
Participate in conferences, seminars, and workshops to exchange knowledge.
Participate in establishing and maintaining product technical documentation.
Participate in Method Transfers from contract manufacturing organizations.
Participate in sterilization process validation activities involving microbiology, as needed.
Perform
Perform all work in support of our Corporate Values.
Perform critical reagent and method qualifications, method validation / transfer under supervision.
Perform field work primarily related to botanical, wildlife, restoration and aquatic resources tasks.
Perform general office and clerical work including faxing, data processing, photocopying, scan.
Perform Growth Promotion Testing of incoming microbiological media.
Perform out of specification investigations and if needed, initiate non-conformance reports.
Perform plant incoming water testing and sampling.
Perform product sterilization adoptions.
Perform sample preparation including compositing bulk lot samples.
Perform statistical and population analysis of large cohorts of biological data.
Perform troubleshooting of technical and equipment issues.
Plan
Plan and lead wildlife programs on major projects.
Prepare
Prepare and present scientific reports and findings.
Prepare and present technical reports to managers, co-workers, and customers.
Prepare construction monitoring reports and manage construction monitoring logs.
Prepare detailed reports to support recommendations and conclusions and evaluate findings.
Prepare in the preparation of technical reports.
Prepare media, reagents, and materials as needed for laboratory testing.
Prepare memoranda for distribution and materials for scientific reports and presentations.
Prepare or lead junior staff in field activities.
Prepare reports and plans for management of renewable resources.
Prepare reports and presentations.
Prepare reports for internal and external purposes including regulatory submissions.
Prepare / Support Trend Reports.
Prepare written reports and presentations for internal use and publication.
Present
Present results at team and project meetings.
Process
Process NGS alignment, transcript quantitation, variant calling, other data types as required.
Process samples to recover microbes in order to culture them in different media.
Promote
Promote a positive work environment and be a good team player.
Provide
Provide cell biology and screening support for the team.
Provide expert advice and consultation on biological matters.
Provide in-lab and field support of NMFS research and monitoring activities.
Provide mentorship to aspiring wildlife biologists.
Provide on-going support to clients as needed.
Provide technical and scientific support for the efficacy evaluation section of the Branch.
Provide technical training and guidance to junior laboratory staff.
Provide testing support to plant validation activities.
Read
Read plates and execute growth promoting testing.
Read and understand relevant scientific literature, as required.
Research
Research, develop and validate novel biochemical platforms to support drug discovery programs.
Research regional specific natural resources, survey requirements, and reporting needs.
Review
Review and approve protocols and reports (microbiology, sterilization, validation etc.).
Review and interpretation of provincial and federal acts and regulations.
Review / approve equipment.
Review development protocols and reports.
Review scientific literature and stay updated with current advancements.
Select
Select, interpret, modify and validate microbiological procedures.
Study
Study the genetics and hereditary traits of organisms.
Supervise
Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Supervise field work and mentor junior field staff.
Support
Support in vitro work for other projects in the RDRU portfolio as needed.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot issues and solve problems encountered during experiments.
Troubleshoot molecular assays.
Understand
Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Use
Use specialized equipment and technology for research purposes.
Work with
Work on individual projects independently with minimal supervision.
Work will also include projects throughout Ontario.
Work with big datasets to mine for transcriptional markers, biological insights, and more.
Write
Write research proposals to secure funding for projects.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Biologist:
Proficiency in laboratory techniques such as microscopy, DNA extraction, and protein analysis.
Knowledge of molecular biology methods, including PCR, gel electrophoresis, and gene cloning.
Experience with bioinformatics tools and databases for sequence analysis and data mining.
Expertise in statistical analysis software, such as R or SPSS, for data interpretation.
Familiarity with GIS (Geographic Information System) software for spatial data analysis.
Competence in ecological modeling and data analysis software.
Proficiency in using laboratory equipment and instruments, such as spectrophotometers or centrifuges.
Understanding of biostatistics and experimental design for rigorous data analysis.
Knowledge of bioimaging techniques, such as confocal microscopy or flow cytometry.
Experience with computer programming languages, such as Python or MATLAB, for data analysis and modeling.
Expertise in using phylogenetic analysis software for evolutionary analysis and tree construction.
12. Understanding of genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9.
Proficiency in conducting cell culture experiments and cell-based assays.
Knowledge of next-generation sequencing technologies and data analysis.
Competence in using spectrometry and chromatography techniques for chemical analysis.
Understanding of immunological techniques for antibody production and immunoassays.
Experience with fieldwork equipment, such as GPS devices, data loggers, and sampling tools.
Proficiency in using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for sample tracking and data management.
Knowledge of bioinformatics pipelines for genome assembly and annotation.
Expertise in using electron microscopy or other advanced imaging techniques for ultrastructural analysis.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Biologist:
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate scientific data and draw accurate conclusions.
Excellent problem-solving abilities to address research challenges and design effective experiments.
Effective communication skills to convey complex scientific concepts to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Collaboration and teamwork skills to work effectively with other researchers, technicians, and professionals.
Time management and organizational skills to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and precision in experimental procedures and data analysis.
Adaptability and flexibility to navigate changing research environments and methodologies.
Curiosity and a passion for continuous learning to stay updated with advancements in the field.
Strong ethical principles and integrity in conducting scientific research.
Leadership skills to supervise research teams, mentor students, or manage projects.
Conclusion
Biologists play a vital role in understanding the complexities of life and its interactions with the environment. They carry out diverse responsibilities, ranging from conducting research and data analysis to conservation efforts and public communication. To excel in this field, biologists require a combination of technical skills, including laboratory techniques, data analysis tools, and specialized knowledge. Additionally, soft skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration are essential for success in the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of biological research.
