Occupation

Biological Technicians

Human Advantage 66%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.9 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Also Known As: Aquatic Technician (Aquatic Tech), Aquatics Technician, Artificial Breeding Laboratory Technician (Artificial Breeding Lab Tech), Artificial Breeding Technician, Artificial Inseminator, Babcock Tester, Bacteriology Research Assistant, Bacteriology Technician +48 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
  2. Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
  3. Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
  4. Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
  5. Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
  6. Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
  7. Input data into databases.
  8. Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
  9. Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.
  10. Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
  11. Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
  12. Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Participate in the research, development, or manufacturing of medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations.
  2. Feed livestock or laboratory animals.
  3. Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
  4. Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
  5. Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing or animal feed.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
49%
Master's Degree
29%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
14%
Doctoral Degree
3%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
1%
Some College Courses
1%
Post-Doctoral Training
1%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAS

Software (33)

  • BD Biosciences CellQuest
  • BoxShade
  • ClustalW
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Database software
  • Gene Codes Sequencher
  • Gene Runner
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Graphics software
  • Harvard Graphics
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • MapInfo MapMarker
  • Phrap
  • Phred
  • PolyBayes
  • Primer3
  • Statistical software
  • Systat Software SigmaPlot
  • Systat Software TableCurve
  • Thomson EndNote
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (77)

  • Aerobic growth chambers
  • Agitators
  • Amino acid analyzers
  • Anaerobic growth chambers
  • Analytical balances
  • Autoclaves
  • Automated cell counters
  • Automated microplate ELISA readers
  • Automated tissue/slide stainers
  • Automatic pipetters
  • Balances
  • Bioanalyzers
  • Biological containment hoods
  • Centrifuges
  • Conductivity meters
  • Coulter counters
  • Cytofluorographs
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequencers
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA synthesizers
  • Dissection microscopes
  • Distillation equipment
  • Drying ovens
  • Electrophorators
  • Electrophoresis boxes
  • Flow cytometers
  • Fluoride electrodes
  • Fluorometers
  • Full-face respirators
  • Gas chromatographs GC
  • Gel chromatography equipment
  • Gel imaging apparatus
  • Glass washers
  • Hematology cell counters
  • High-voltage electrophoresis apparatus
  • Homogenizers
  • Hybridization ovens
  • Imaging systems
  • Incubator microscopes
  • Incubators
  • Inherit sequencing analysis systems
  • Inoculating loops
  • Inverted microscopes
  • Laboratory ovens
  • Laser printers
  • Light/tissue culture microscopes
  • Liquid handling robots
  • Liquid nitrogen freezers
  • Microcentrifuges
  • Microplate readers
  • Microplate shakers
  • Microplate washers
  • Multichannel pipetters
  • Notebook computers
  • Paraffin embedding consoles
  • Personal computers
  • Petri dishes
  • Polymerase chain reaction PCR equipment
  • Polymerase chain reaction PCR thermocyclers
  • Protein sequencers
  • Radioactive counters
  • Refrigerated centrifuges
  • Robotic laboratory equipment
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Sterilizers
  • Stirring hotplates
  • Test tubes
  • Titration burets
  • Ultracentrifuges
  • Ultralow freezers
  • Ultramicrotomes
  • Ultrasonic cleaners
  • Ultraviolet water purification systems
  • Vacuum dehydration units
  • Volumetric glassware
  • Water jacketed incubators
  • Waterbaths
  • pH meters

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Biotechnology Research & Development Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
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