How to become a Biologist
Also called: Biological scientist, Biological systematist, Biology biotechnologist, Biology research scientist, Biology science researcher, Biomedical nanotechnology research scientist, Biology biotechnologist, Biology research scientist
Biologist conducts research into all forms of life to increase scientific knowledge and develop practical applications in fields such as medicine and agriculture. He/she plans field and laboratory studies of origin, development, functions, structure, distribution, environment, interrelationships and other aspects of life-forms, and observes characteristics and behaviour of life-forms. He/she identifies, classifies and preserves specimens, studies and experiments with biological specimens in laboratories. He/she coordinates, analyses and evaluates results obtained and prepares scientific reports of the findings and conclusions.
Main tasks
- Undertaking research in laboratories and in the field to increase scientific knowledge of living organisms
- Designing and conducting experiments and tests to discover new information and test hypotheses
- Gathering human, animal, insect and plant specimens and data, and studying their origin, development, chemical and physical form, structure, composition, and life and reproductive processes
- Examining living organisms using a variety of specialised equipment, instruments, technologies and techniques such as electron microscopes, telemetry, global positioning systems, biotechnology, satellite imaging, genetic engineering, digital imaging analysis, polymerase chain reaction and computer modelling
- Identifying, classifying, recording and monitoring living organisms and maintaining databases
- Writing scientific papers and reports detailing research and new findings which are made available to the scientific community in scientific journals or at conferences for scrutiny and further debate
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 4 universities in Singapore
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $100,224 a year. The middle half earn $80,448 to $122,424 a year.
- Generative AI could change some tasks in this job, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
- Zoologist
- Horticulturist/Arborist
- Aquaculturist
- Agriculturist
- Environmental officer (environmental protection)
- Environment research scientist
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Biologist?
Ways in include: Science degrees.
How much does a Biologist earn in Singapore?
Median full-time pay is $100,224 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $80,448 to $122,424.
Will AI change the work of a Biologist?
Generative AI could change some tasks in this job, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026