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www.ontario.ca/jobfutures Queens Printer for Ontario, 2009

2121 Biologists and Related Scientists

Biologists and related scientists conduct basic and applied research to extend knowledge of livingorganisms, to manage natural resources, and to develop new practices and products related to medicineand agriculture.

Common Job Titles

BacteriologistBiologistEcologistImmunologistMicrobiologist

Toxicologist

Typical Employers

hospitalsfederal and provincial governmentsmedical laboratoriesuniversitiespharmaceutical companiesenvironmental consulting companiesservice firms to agriculture

Selected Main Dut ies

Biologists perform some or all of the following duties:

Plan and conduct studies of the environment and the population, distribution, structure andfunctional characteristics and behaviour of plants and animals;

Conduct ecological and environmental impact studies and prepare reports;

Study, identify and classify plant and animal specimens;

Conduct experiments in plant or animal growth, heredity and breeding;

Prepare reports and plans for management of renewable resources;

Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.

Microbiologists and cell and molecular biologists perform some or all of the following duties:

Conduct research into the structure, function, ecology, biotechnology and genetics of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoans and algae;

Conduct research into the structure and functioning of human, animal and plant tissues and cells;

Conduct studies into the identification, effects and control of human, plant and animal pathogensand toxins;

Conduct clinical or laboratory studies to test, evaluate and screen drugs and pharmaceuticals;

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Conduct molecular or biochemical studies and experiments into genetic expression, genemanipulation and recombinant DNA technology;

Supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.

Biologists and related scientists generally work regular hours in offices and laboratories. Some spendtime outdoors conducting research on biological samples. The potential of working with dangerous

organisms or toxic substances in the laboratory pose some potential personal dangers.

Education/Training

A bachelor's degree in biology or in a related discipline is required for biologists. A master's or doctoratedegree in biology or a related discipline is required for employment as a research scientist in biology.Postdoctoral research experience is usually required before employment in academic departments orresearch institutions. Biologists and related scientists may specialize in botany, zoology, ecology, andmarine biology, or at the cellular and molecular level in fields such as genetics, immunology,pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, pathology, bacteriology and virology.

Employment Prospect

Over the next five years: Average

Opportunities for employment in this occupation are expected to be average over the period from 2009 to2013. The public sector is the largest employer of biologists. Typically, demand for biologists is related toenvironmental research and monitoring. The biotechnology and health sectors, however, will become agrowing source of new employment opportunities. The employment of these professionals is closelyrelated to investment in research and development. However, in an economic downturn, less money isallocated for research and development which could limit the extension or renewal of existing projects.

There is a shift toward interdisciplinary programs, combining systems engineering with microbiology andother scientific specialties. Computer-based competencies such as bioinformatics and molecularmodelling are also becoming more important as companies and researchers deal with the integration oftraditional and information sciences. Graduates with a masters or doctoral degree, as well as individualswith strong project management skills, will have the best prospects.

Characteristics of Occupation

Estimated Employment in 2006 5,230

General Characteristics (%)

Male 50

Female 50

Full-Time 91

Part-Time 7

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Self Employed 6

Employees 94

Unemployment Rate 3

Main Industries of Employment (%)

Public Administration 33

Other Professional Services 20

Health Care and Social Assistance 15

Professional Business Services 7

Educational Services 6

All Other Industries 19

Employment by Economic Region(%) This

Occupation(%) All

Occupations

Ottawa 23 10

Kingston Pembroke 3 3

Muskoka Kawarthas 2 3

Toronto 37 45

Kitchener - Waterloo Barrie 11 10

Hamilton - Niagara Peninsula 9 11

London 6 5

Windsor Sarnia 3 5

Stratford - Bruce Peninsula 1 2

Northeast 4 4

Northwest 2 2

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Income

Annual Average Employment Income of PersonsEmployed Full-Time Full-Year in 2005

$65,125$56,033

$0

$20,000

$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

This Occupation All Occupations

Addit ional Information Sources

Additional information about this occupation can be obtained from the following web sites:

BIOTECanada (www.biotech.ca)

ECO Canada (www.eco.ca) BioTalent Canada (www.biotalent.ca)

The Biotechnology Initiative (www.ontbi.org)

Canadian College of Microbiologists (www.ccm.ca)

Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists (www.cseb-scbe.org)

Documents

2121_e(2)