Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Biological Scientist

🎯 Role Definition

As a Biological Scientist you will design, execute, and interpret experiments that advance discovery, product development, and translational research. You will apply expert knowledge in molecular and cellular biology, assay development, and data analysis to deliver reproducible, high-quality results while maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards. This role requires a balance of hands-on laboratory execution, experimental design, technical documentation, and cross-functional collaboration with product development, quality, and regulatory teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Laboratory Technician / Research Technician
Research Assistant (undergraduate or graduate)
Junior Scientist / Associate Scientist

Advancement To:

Senior Scientist / Lead Scientist
Principal Scientist / Research Team Lead
R&D Manager or Scientific Program Manager
Director of Research, Head of Biology

Lateral Moves:

Quality Scientist / QC Analyst
Clinical Research Associate or Clinical Scientist
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Bioinformatics Scientist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, plan, and conduct complex experiments in molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, and biochemistry to test hypotheses, validate targets, and advance discovery or product development programs.
Develop, optimize, and validate quantitative and qualitative assays (e.g., qPCR, RT-qPCR, ELISA, Western blot, reporter assays) and produce robust SOPs, acceptance criteria, and validation reports.
Culture, maintain, and genetically manipulate mammalian, microbial, and primary cells, including aseptic technique, transfection/transduction, cell line authentication, and mycoplasma testing to ensure reproducible biological models.
Perform nucleic acid work including DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS), PCR amplification, and Sanger/NGS data quality control and interpretation.
Execute high-throughput screening and automation workflows, including liquid handling, plate-based assays, robotic integration, and data pipeline coordination to scale experiments and increase reproducibility.
Analyze complex experimental datasets using statistical methods, R, Python, or appropriate bioinformatics tools; visualize results and provide scientifically grounded interpretation to project teams.
Troubleshoot experimental failures, diagnose root causes (reagent, protocol, instrumentation), and implement corrective and preventive actions to restore assay performance and data integrity.
Lead or participate in cross-functional project teams to define objectives, develop experimental plans, estimate timelines and resource needs, and communicate milestones to stakeholders.
Prepare and maintain accurate, detailed laboratory notebooks, electronic lab records (ELN), and technical documentation in compliance with company policy, GLP/GMP where applicable, and audit readiness.
Write, review, and contribute to technical reports, study summaries, manuscripts, patents, and regulatory submissions (e.g., IND, IDE) to document findings and support downstream regulatory activities.
Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instrumentation (flow cytometer, HPLC/UPLC, mass spectrometers, fluorescence microscopes, plate readers) and coordinate preventive maintenance and vendor service.
Design and execute in vitro and ex vivo models for target validation and efficacy testing, including assay development for potency, stability, and mechanism-of-action studies.
Generate, validate, and manage critical reagents including antibodies, plasmids, viral vectors, CRISPR reagents, and stable cell lines; ensure reagent traceability and quality control testing.
Conduct microbiology workflows including sterile technique, microbial enumeration, strain propagation, and contamination control consistent with biosafety level requirements.
Coordinate and oversee preclinical study execution, including sample collection, chain of custody, sample processing, and liaison with contract research organizations (CROs) for outsourced studies.
Train, mentor, and supervise junior scientists, technicians, and interns; develop training materials and competency assessments to ensure high-quality experimental execution.
Implement quality control systems and data review processes to ensure reproducibility, GLP/GMP readiness, and integrity of experimental data; participate in internal and external audits.
Contribute to technology transfer activities, preparing protocols and training receiving teams to move assays from R&D to GMP, manufacturing, or contract labs.
Manage laboratory inventory, order critical reagents and supplies, negotiate with vendors, and control budget for consumables and instrument purchases to support uninterrupted research.
Lead safety assessments and uphold biosafety and chemical safety policies; maintain accurate hazard documentation and oversee corrective actions following incidents.
Drive continuous process improvements by evaluating workflows, implementing automation, and applying Lean or Six Sigma principles to increase throughput and reduce variability.
Collaborate with bioinformatics and computational teams to integrate biological and omics datasets, support target nomination, and contribute to predictive models and data-driven decisions.
Contribute to intellectual property development by documenting novel methods, compounds, or discoveries and supporting patent filings and freedom-to-operate assessments.
Present research findings at internal meetings, cross-functional reviews, and external conferences; clearly communicate scientific results to technical and non-technical audiences.

Secondary Functions

Provide technical input to product development roadmaps and experimental prioritization based on data-driven risk/reward assessments.
Support ad-hoc scientific inquiries from commercialization, business development, and clinical teams by designing confirmatory experiments and due-diligence assays.
Assist in writing grant proposals, research funding applications, and collaborative agreements with academic or industry partners.
Participate in hiring interviews, scientific evaluation, and onboarding for new lab personnel.
Contribute to environmental monitoring programs, waste management, and regulatory reporting related to laboratory operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Molecular biology: PCR, qPCR/RT-qPCR, cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, CRISPR genome editing.
Cell biology: mammalian cell culture, primary cell handling, transfection/transduction, cell-based assay development.
Assay development and validation: ELISA, immunoassays, Western blot, reporter assays, potency assays, limit of detection/quantitation.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows and basic sequence analysis; familiarity with library prep and QC metrics.
Flow cytometry: panel design, compensation, data acquisition and analysis.
Instrumentation: operation and maintenance of HPLC/UPLC, mass spectrometers, plate readers, automated liquid handlers, microscopes.
Bioinformatics and data analysis: R, Python, basic command-line tools, statistical analysis and data visualization.
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and awareness of GMP principles for assay documentation, sample handling, and transfer to manufacturing settings.
Experimental design and biostatistics: hypothesis testing, power calculations, ANOVA, regression, and appropriate use of controls.
Laboratory information management systems (LIMS), Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN), and data integrity best practices.
Microbiology and sterile technique: aseptic processing, contamination control, biosafety compliance.
Technical writing: SOPs, study reports, regulatory documents, manuscripts and slide decks for scientific communication.
High-throughput screening and automation: plate formatting, robotics, troubleshooting automated workflows.
Quality systems: CAPA, deviation investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning.

Soft Skills

Strong scientific communication: distill complex data into concise reports and presentations for cross-functional audiences.
Project management: planning experiments, prioritizing tasks, managing timelines, and delivering milestones.
Problem-solving and troubleshooting: systematic approach to experimental failures and process optimization.
Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork: ability to work with chemists, engineers, clinicians, and regulatory professionals.
Mentoring and leadership: training junior staff and fostering a culture of scientific rigor and continuous improvement.
Adaptability and learning agility: comfortable with evolving technologies and shifting project priorities.
Attention to detail and commitment to reproducibility and data integrity.
Time management and organizational skills to balance multiple projects.
Critical thinking and hypothesis-driven approach to experiments.
Ethical conduct and strong commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, or related life science field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree (MS) or Doctorate (PhD) in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Genetics, or a closely related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Molecular Biology
Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Microbiology and Immunology
Genetics and Genomics
Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–8 years of laboratory research experience for Scientist-level roles; 5+ years preferred for senior roles.

Preferred:

Experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or academic research labs with demonstrated success in assay development, preclinical studies, or translational research. Prior experience with GLP/GMP environments, technology transfer, and cross-functional project leadership is highly valued.