Biologist

Biologists cover a broad area within Life Sciences. Biologists study the origin, development, structure, and function of a plant or animal life.

Biologist Job Description

Collect organism samples (e.g. tissue cells), measurements, photographs, or sketches.

Perform experiments on specific plants, animals, or ecosystems.

Record and maintain experiment results.

Analyse experimental results on the organism to learn its behaviour and impact on its surroundings.

Develop experimental protocols for conducting the project.

Note

Government support for Biologists is available under the SGUnited Traineeships Programme for new and recent graduates where they can develop skills and receive a training allowance.

What you should know about Biologist jobs in Singapore

Nature of Work

Many types of Biologists cover different aspects of life. As Biologists specialising in a specific area or feature, you will be named according to your speciality!

Key Advice

Stay curious and open-minded; the field of Biology is vast and constantly evolving, so continuous learning is key to success.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements
Minimally a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the Biology field.

Pursue your education based on the broad area of specialisation that you are interested in, such as Zoology (the study of animals) or botany (the study of plants).

Having a strong understanding of scientific concepts, including Biology and Chemistry, laboratory equipment and laboratory procedures.
Possible Pathway

Possible Pathway

Skills you need to pursue a Biologist career in Singapore

Hard Skills

Biorisk Management

Understand risks associated with research, such as handling pathogens or genetically modified organisms.

Laboratory Management

Organisational and operational aspects of running a lab and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.

Chemical Risk Management

Safe handling and disposing of chemicals and complying with regulations regarding chemical use.

Soft Skills

Communication

Essential for presenting research, writing reports and papers, and collaborating with colleagues.

Problem-Solving

Identify research questions, develop hypotheses, and design experiments to test their validity.

Collaboration

Important for working effectively in teams, sharing knowledge, and combining expertise from different areas.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How many types of Biologists are there?

There are many types of Biologists named after each speciality. Some examples include Botanists, Microbiologists, Zoologists, Anatomists, Physiologists, Pathologists, Nutritionists, and Pharmacologists.
Where can Biologists work?

Most Biologists are employed by governmental agencies, universities, or private industry laboratories. Universities can hire Biologists as professors to teach students research methods.
What areas do Biologists study?

Biologists study Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Biochemistry is a branch of Biological Science that studies the Chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.
How do Biologists use Biochemistry to address real-world problems?

Biochemistry plays a crucial role in allowing Biologists to understand diseases at the molecular level. It is key to developing new drugs, diagnostics, and treatments.
What kind of samples do Biologists often work with?

Biologists often work with various types of samples, such as cells, tissues, blood, DNA, RNA, proteins, and organisms.