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OCCUPATIONAL POSSIBILITIES
BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST
Study living organisms and their relationship to their environment. Most specialize in some area of biology such as zoology (the study of animals) or microbiology (the study of microscopic organisms). Many work in research and development. Some conduct basic research to increase knowledge of living organisms. Some work in management or administration.
Educational
Requirements
For biological scientists, the Ph.D. degree generally is required for college teaching, independent research and for advancement to administrative positions. The bachelor's degree is adequate for some non-research jobs. Graduates with a bachelor's degree start as biological scientists in testing and inspection, or get jobs related to biological science such as technical sales or service representatives.
| Avg. Maine Salary: | $20.10 per/hour |
| Avg. # Maine Employment | 450 |
| Annual Openings: | 23 |
| Projected Growth: | 34.6% |
BIOCHEMIST
Study the chemical composition of living things. They try to understand the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. Much of the work in biotechnology is done by biochemists and molecular biologists because this technology involves understanding the complex chemistry of life.
The bachelor's degree is adequate for some non research jobs. Graduates with a bachelor's degree start as biological scientists in testing and inspection, or get jobs related to biological science such as technical sales or service representatives.
| Avg. Maine Salary: | $n/a per/hour |
| Avg. # Maine Employment | 275 |
| Avg. Starting Salary | $21.87 |
| Annual Openings: | 13 |
| Projected Growth: | 31.8% |
RELATED OCCUPATIONS
| Forester | Range Manager |
| Soil Conservationist | Animal Breeders |
| Horticulturists | Soil Scientists |
| Medical Doctors | Dentists |
| Veterinarians |
SKILLS
| Work Independently Or As Part Of A Team | |
| Ability To Communicate Clearly And Concisely | |
| Ability To Communicate Both Orally And In Writing | |
| Familiarity With Regulatory Issues | |
| Knowledge Of Good Business Skills And Marketing And Management Techniques | |
| Physical Stamina |
SAMPLE JOBS
Environmental Lab Technician -
Typical methods include AA, HPLC, and a variety of chemical, physical, and biological procedures.
Qualifications:
Environmental Monitoring Technician - Domestic Fishery Observers Conservation Planner -
Technical, training and management support for the laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, hazardous materials and environmental compliance programs: occupational monitoring for exposure to hazardous materials, in-lab process monitoring and evaluation for hazardous contaminants, environmental bulk sampling and monitoring and oversight of hazardous chemical storage; position includes management of the research chemical inventory system.
Qualifications: Minimum Associates degree in biological/physical sciences with college level chemistry coursework and safety or environmental-related lab experience. BS in environmental sciences or industrial hygiene preferred. Applicants must be willing to wear all types of personal protective equipment, act as a responder to chemical spills/emergencies, and work with hazardous materials.
Following training, observers spend three to four months in the field gathering management data for the government, living and working aboard US flagged commercial fishing vessels operating in the Bering Sea, North Pacific and Gulf of Alaska.
Qualifications: Minimum of a BA degree in fisheries biology, marine biology, general biology, zoology or a related natural science.
Develop plans for the protection and management of selected important natural areas; conduct site evaluations; work with private landowners and public agencies to improve the protection and management of biological diversity on non-conservancy lands.
Qualifications: Degree in ecology or natural resource conservation or related field and a minimum of three years related work experience (graduate degree or equivalent work experience preferred); familiarity with or demonstrated ability to quickly learn Maine's flora and ecosystems; excellent communication and team skills; field skills.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
of the United States located in our Career Resource Centers)
- American Biological Safety Association
1202 Allanson Road, Mundelein, IL 60060-3808
847-949-1517
- American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists
- American Biological Safety Association
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
- American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists
- American Microscopical Society
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- American Society for Cell Biology
- American Society for Cytotechnology
- American Society for Photobiology
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- American Society of Cytopathology
- American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
- American Society of Naturalists
- American Society of Plant Physiologists
- Association for Biology Laboratory Education
- Association for Gnotobiotics
- Association for Tropical Biology
- Association of Ecosystem Research Centers
- Association of Systematics Collections
- Beta Beta Beta
- Bioelectromagnetics Society
- Biological Photographic Association
- Biological Stain Commission
- Biomedical Engineering Society
- Biophysical Society
- Biotechnology Industry Organization
- Council of Biology Editors
- Ecological Society of America
- Electrophoresis Society
- Endocrine Society, The
- Environmental Mutagen Society
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
- Herpetologists' League
- Histochemical Society, The
- Human Biology Association
- International Society for Analytical cytology
- International Society for Chronobiology
- International Society for Developmental Psychobiology
- International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
- National Association of Biology Teachers
- North American Benthological Society
- North American Lake Management Society
- Paleontological Society
- Pattern Recognition Society
- Psychological Society of America
- Protein Society
- Society for Biomaterials
- Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology and Life Sciences
- Society for Conservation Biology
- Society for Cryobiology
- Society for Developmental Biology
- Society for Epidemiologic Research
- Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
- Society for In Vitro Biology
- Society for Leukocyte Biology
- Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine
- Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
- Society for the Study of Evolution
- Society for the Study of Reproduction
- Society for the Study of Social Biology
- Society of Biological Psychiatry
- Society of Rheology
- Special Interest Group for Biomedical Computing
- United States Federation for Culture Collections
- Women in Cell Biology
The information on this page was taken from the following sources: CareerWare 98; Maine Dept.of Labor, 94; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 98; National Trade and Professional Associations Of the United States, 97; College Majors and Careers
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