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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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21110.01 – Biologists

Biologists conduct basic and applied research to extend knowledge of living organisms, to manage natural resources, and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Biologist
  • Botanist
  • Ecologist
  • Marine biologist
  • Mycologist
  • Zoologist

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving to advise on issues, such as conserving endangered species, combating disease outbreaks or managing ecosystems
  • Writing to write scientific papers or articles on biological research for various audiences to understand, including other scientists, government officials and the general public
  • Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering to classify organisms based on various factors, such as behaviours, genetics or environment and to order information logically to design protocols that allows for accurate testing and analysis
  • Problem Identification and Inductive Reasoning to determine the population, distribution, structures, characteristics and behaviour of plants and animals based on environmental study results
  • Attention to Detail to record detailed observations of experiments and conduct precise measurements of chemicals, reagents or biological samples
  • Knowledge in Biology to understand and explain the complexities of living organisms, conduct safe and ethical research and apply their findings to address critical challenges in health and environment

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Plan and conduct studies of the environment, and of the population, distribution, structure and functional 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
  • May supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.

Additional information

  • Biologists and related scientists may specialize at the macroscopic level, in fields such as botany, zoology, ecology and marine biology or, at the cellular and molecular level, in fields such as genetics, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, pathology, bacteriology, virology, biotechnology and bioinformatics.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Architecture and science managers (20011)
  • Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

211 – Professional occupations in natural sciences

Minor group

2111 – Life science professionals

Unit group

21110 – Biologists and related scientists

Occupational profile

21110.01 – Biologists

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.