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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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22110.01 – Biological technologists

Biological technologists provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Biological technologist
  • Ecological technologist
  • Microbiology technologist (except medical)

Core competencies

  • Systems Analysis to assess how biological systems and processes interact, determining the impact of environmental or operational changes on outcomes to support research and resource management decisions
  • Quality Control Testing to validate laboratory procedures, verify equipment calibration and assess the purity of biological samples
  • Near Vision to accurately examine cell structures, identify micro-organisms and conduct precise laboratory procedures
  • Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering to organize and classify genetic data, categorize plant species, or arrange laboratory materials for experiments
  • Attention to Detail to detect subtle variations in biological specimens or identify anomalies in experimental results
  • Knowledge in Agriculture and Horticulture to understand environmental protection, agricultural development theories and practices to conduct scientific research, interpret data and conduct analyses of specimens

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Set up and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses in support of research and quality control in food production, sanitation, pharmaceutical production, biotechnology and other fields
  • Apply methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy
  • Perform experimental procedures in agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research
  • Conduct field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
  • Conduct environmental monitoring and compliance activities for the protection of fisheries stock, wildlife and other natural resources
  • Analyze data and prepare reports
  • Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs.

Additional information

  • There is limited mobility among occupations in this group.
  • Some technologists and technicians working in support of government and academic research in biology are university graduates.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

22 – Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

221 – Technical occupations related to natural sciences

Minor group

2211 – Technical occupations in life sciences

Unit group

22110 – Biological technologists and technicians

Occupational profile

22110.01 – Biological technologists

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.