Biological Technician

Working Schedule

Biological Technicians tend to work full-time, with overtime possible to meet deadlines. They usually work in laboratories but may also take trips to field sites.

Typical Duties

• Conduct and assist in various types of medical research.
• Assist in the design, preparation, and execution of lab experiments, following regulatory and safety protocols.
• Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, and troubleshoot lab and field equipment.
• Order and maintain supplies and equipment.
• Ensure work areas are clean, organized, and prepared.
• Collect biological samples. Handle samples carefully to ensure their integrity and avoid contamination.
• Measure and prepare compounds, solutions, reagents, and animal feed for lab procedures.
• Prepare, isolate, and examine specimens to detect diseases or analyze biological properties.
• Run tests to determine the physical and chemical properties of substances.
• Feed and care for laboratory animals, if applicable.
• Monitor experiments and collect data. Use software to record, analyze, and interpret data.
• Create data-driven reports. Maintain records of activities. Input data into databases.

Additional Duties

• Provide technical support to researchers, as needed.
• Review articles or scientific literature to support ongoing projects and keep up to date on advancements.
• Train new lab assistants.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment at all times. 

Biological Technicians help scientists understand living things by collecting samples, conducting experiments, and analyzing biological materials. Their work might involve studying bacteria that cause disease, testing water for pollution, examining plant cells, or helping researchers investigate how a new medicine affects the human body. They work in laboratories, hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and research facilities. Some spend most of their time indoors using microscopes and laboratory equipment, while others collect samples outdoors from forests, farms, rivers, and other natural environments.

A typical day might begin with preparing laboratory materials, organizing samples, checking equipment, and reviewing instructions from a scientist or research supervisor. Biological Technicians may grow bacteria or cell cultures, prepare slides, extract DNA, measure chemical substances, or perform tests on blood, tissue, soil, and water samples. They carefully follow experimental procedures, record observations, enter results into computer databases, and help researchers interpret the findings. They also clean and sterilize equipment, maintain laboratory supplies, and make sure experiments follow safety guidelines.

Biological Technicians use microscopes, centrifuges, pipettes, test tubes, laboratory glassware, incubators, and specialized testing instruments. Depending on their field, they may also use computer software to organize data, analyze results, or create charts and reports. Accuracy is essential because even a small mistake in measuring, labeling, or handling a sample can affect an experiment. They often work as part of a research team alongside biologists, microbiologists, medical scientists, and other laboratory professionals. Their work helps advance scientific knowledge, improve healthcare, protect the environment, and develop new products and technologies.

Soft Skills

• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Curiosity
• Focus
• Integrity
• Organizational skills
• Patience
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Time management

Technical Skills

Biological Technicians need hard skills related to the following:

• Laboratory techniques and procedures (e.g., sterilization and sample preparation)
• Data analysis and statistical software (Excel, R, and laboratory management software)
• Data entry
• Field sample and specimen collection (spectrophotometers, microscopes, and PCR machines)
• Laboratory instruments and equipment
• Health, biological, and chemical safety protocols
• Microscope operation
• Technical writing and documentation
• Biological sample preparation and handling
• Animal caretaking

• Molecular Biology Technicians: Study biological materials at the molecular level, including DNA, RNA, and proteins. They may help researchers investigate genetic conditions, identify organisms, or understand how cells function.
• Microbiology Technicians: Work with microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other tiny organisms. They grow cultures, perform tests, and help identify microbes that may cause disease or affect food, water, and the environment.
• Cell Biology Technicians: Study cells and how they grow, divide, and respond to different conditions. They prepare cell cultures, examine samples under microscopes, and assist with experiments involving living cells.
• Biotechnology Technicians: Help develop and test biological products and processes used in medicine, agriculture, food production, and industry. They may work with genetically engineered organisms, enzymes, vaccines, or other biotechnology products.
• Environmental Biology Technicians: Collect and examine samples from soil, water, plants, and wildlife to study environmental conditions. They may help researchers monitor pollution, investigate ecosystems, and assess the effects of human activities on the environment.
• Wildlife Biology Technicians: Assist wildlife researchers with studying animal populations, habitats, and behavior. They may collect field samples, track animals, record observations, and help monitor endangered or threatened species.
• Plant Biology Technicians: Support research involving plants, crops, and plant diseases. They may grow plants under controlled conditions, test soil and plant samples, study plant genetics, and help develop improved crop varieties.
• Marine Biology Technicians: Assist scientists who study marine organisms and ocean environments. They may collect water and organism samples, monitor aquatic conditions, and help investigate marine ecosystems.
• Clinical Laboratory Research Technicians: Assist with biological research involving human specimens such as blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids. They prepare samples, perform laboratory tests, and help researchers investigate diseases and potential treatments.

• Research institutions
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Colleges and universities
• Government agencies
• Environmental consulting firms

Biological Technicians are expected to perform their duties with precision, adhering to established protocols to ensure the reliability of their findings. This attention to detail demands focus and diligence because even small mistakes can destroy the validity of an experiment. Accuracy and quality assurance are therefore essential.

The work can be challenging and even frustrating sometimes because experiments don’t always produce the desired results. Biological Technicians have to be patient and resilient, often repeating procedures over and over to validate findings.

Safety is another critical aspect of the job since there is a risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals or biological specimens. Everyone in the lab has to prioritize safety, strictly follow protocols, wear appropriate protective gear, and avoid making mistakes that could have harmful consequences. They also have to be up to speed on contingency plans in the event of an emergency. 

Lab workers increasingly use AI, automated processes, and specialized software to streamline data collection and analysis, so they can handle larger datasets and deliver results more efficiently. This ultimately enhances the scope and impact of the work they’re doing!  

The demand for genetic testing, environmental monitoring, and biomedical research has grown in recent times, creating new opportunities for research studies. In addition, technicians are increasingly involved in work that addresses healthcare outcomes, environmental degradation, and other global challenges.

Meanwhile, many labs are adopting more eco-friendly practices, such as minimizing waste and using renewable materials, to contribute to sustainability efforts. 

Biological Technicians may have enjoyed hands-on projects like school science experiments, gardening, or observing nature. They often excelled in biology, chemistry, and other science courses.