Career Path Forecast
 According to the
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
employment of biological scientists is projected to grow 21 percent over
the 2008 - 2018 decade, much faster than the average for all
occupations, as biotechnological research and development continues to
drive job growth.
Biological scientists enjoyed very rapid employment gains over the past
few decades -- reflecting, in part, the growth of the biotechnology
industry. Employment growth will moderate somewhat as the biotechnology
industry matures, with fewer new firms being founded and existing firms
merging or being absorbed by larger biotechnology or pharmaceutical
firms. However, much of the basic biological research done in recent
years has resulted in new knowledge, including the isolation and
identification of genes. Biological scientists will be needed to take
this knowledge to the next stage, understanding how certain genes
function within an entire organism, so that medical treatments can be
developed to treat various diseases. Even pharmaceutical and other firms
not solely engaged in biotechnology use biotechnology techniques
extensively, spurring employment for biological scientists. For example,
biological scientists are continuing to help farmers increase crop
yields by pinpointing genes that can help crops, such as wheat, grow in
more extreme climate conditions.
 In
addition, efforts to discover new and improved ways to clean up and
preserve the environment will continue to add to job growth. More
biological scientists will be needed to determine the environmental
impact of industry and government actions and to prevent or correct
environmental problems, such as the negative effects of pesticide use.
Some biological scientists will find opportunities in environmental
regulatory agencies, while others will use their expertise to advise
lawmakers on legislation to save environmentally sensitive areas. New
industrial applications of biotechnology, such as new methods for
producing biofuels, also will spur demand for biological scientists.
The Federal Government
is a major source of funding for basic research and development,
including many areas of medical research that relate to biological
science. Large budget increases at the National Institutes of Health in
the early part of the decade led to increases in Federal basic research
and development expenditures, with research grants growing both in
number and dollar amount. However, the increase in expenditures slowed
substantially in recent years. Going forward, the level of Federal
funding will continue to impact competition for winning and renewing
research grants.
 There
will continue to be demand for biological scientists specializing in
botany, zoology, and marine biology, but opportunities will be limited
because of the small size of these fields. Marine biology, despite its
attractiveness as a career, is a very small specialty within biological
science.
Doctoral degree
holders are expected to face competition for basic research positions in
academia. Furthermore, should the number of advanced degrees awarded
continue to grow, applicants for research grants are likely to face even
more competition. Currently, about 1 in 4 grant proposals are approved
for long-term research projects. In general, applied research positions
in private industry are somewhat easier to obtain, but may become more
competitive if increasing numbers of scientists seek jobs in private
industry because of the difficulty finding positions in colleges and
universities.
 Prospective
marine biology students should be aware that those who would like to
enter this specialty far outnumber the very few openings that occur each
year for the type of glamorous research jobs that many would like to
obtain. Almost all marine biologists who do basic research have a Ph.D.
People with bachelor's
and master's degrees are expected to have more opportunities in
nonscientist jobs related to biology, in fields like sales, marketing,
publishing, and research management. Non-Ph.D.s also may fill positions
as science or engineering technicians or as medical health technologists
and technicians. Some become high school biology teachers.
 Biological
scientists are less likely to lose their jobs during recessions than
those in other occupations, because many are employed on long-term
research projects. However, an economic downturn could influence the
amount of money allocated to new research and development efforts,
particularly in areas of risky or innovative research. An economic
downturn also could limit the possibility of extension or renewal of
existing projects.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by
the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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