Biologist job description templates for environmental, research, field, and lab roles, with FLSA classification and compliance guidance. Download as DOCX.
Six templates for the biologist role across settings, from environmental consulting and biotech research to field work and entry-level technician, with the FLSA classification and compliance guidance generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
Biologist is one of the broadest job titles in science, which is exactly why a single generic template rarely works. The biologist a biotech lab hires, the one an environmental consultancy hires, and the one a wildlife project hires do different work, need different qualifications, and fall under different compliance rules. A good job description starts by naming which biologist you are hiring.
These six templates cover the role across its common settings: a general baseline, environmental or consulting, research or lab, field or wildlife, a small-lab first-hire version, and an entry-level technician. Each is ready to use, with the FLSA classification and compliance guidance the generic templates skip. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
Biologist is a broad title that splits by setting: research or lab (biotech), environmental or consulting (field surveys and permitting), and field or wildlife. A degreed biologist usually qualifies for the FLSA learned professional exemption at $684 per week, while a routine biological technician is non-exempt and hourly. Per BLS, zoologists and wildlife biologists had a median wage of $72,860 in May 2024. Download six role-matched templates as DOCX.
Which Biologist Are You Hiring?
The first decision is the type of biologist, because the title covers very different jobs. A research biologist works at a bench in a lab; an environmental biologist works in the field and on permitting; a wildlife biologist surveys animals outdoors. Each needs a different job description, different qualifications, and a different compliance framework. Start here, then pick the matching template.
Match the Role to the Setting
Hiring for a biotech or testing lab: Research / Lab. Hiring for an environmental consultancy: Environmental / Consulting. Hiring for outdoor survey work: Field / Wildlife. Making an early hire at a small lab or firm: Small Lab / First Hire. Hiring support staff: Biological Technician. When in doubt, the General template is the baseline to adapt, but always name the setting and the classification.
What a Biologist Does
A biologist studies living organisms and applies scientific methods to research, testing, or field work. The day-to-day work means designing and running studies, collecting and analyzing samples and data, documenting findings accurately, and following safety and quality standards. What changes across roles is the setting: a bench, a field site, or a consulting project.
The closest federal occupations include zoologists and wildlife biologists and, for support roles, biological technicians. A substantial share of biologist employment is government-funded, so the small-employer pool that hires directly is concentrated in consulting, biotech, and testing labs.
Biologist Types
Biologist work varies by setting and specialization. Getting the type right keeps your posting accurate and attracts candidates who fit the actual role.
Type
Setting
Focus
General
Any
The flexible baseline
Environmental / consulting
Field and office
Surveys, assessments, permitting
Research / lab
Laboratory
Wet-lab experiments, assays
Field / wildlife
Outdoors
Surveys, monitoring, species ID
Small lab / first hire
Small firm
Hands-on, multi-role
Biological technician
Lab or field
Sample prep, routine tests
Specializations like molecular, cell, microbiology, marine, and conservation biology narrow the focus further. For a structured way to scope any of these to your needs, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Duties and Responsibilities
Biologist duties cluster into four areas: studies and analysis, documentation, safety and quality, and equipment and method. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities that match your setting, rather than listing every possible task.
Studies and analysis
Design and run studies or experiments
Collect and prepare biological samples
Analyze and interpret data
Documentation
Record results accurately
Write reports and protocols
Maintain data integrity
Safety and quality
Follow lab or field safety protocols
Meet quality and compliance standards
Handle samples and chemicals safely
Equipment and method
Maintain and calibrate equipment
Apply correct scientific methods
Keep current with the literature
A lab role weights toward assays and data integrity; a field role toward surveys and field safety. The specific mix is what makes a role-matched template more useful than a generic one.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by setting and seniority. The core structure is the same across all six, but each emphasizes the duties, qualifications, and compliance that fit a specific kind of biologist role. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
General Biologist
The flexible baseline
The universal version: study organisms, run studies, analyze data, and document findings. The starting point to adapt to any setting.
Environmental / Consulting
Field surveys, permitting
For an environmental consultancy: species and habitat surveys, biological assessments, and permitting under federal and state law.
Research / Lab
Biotech, wet-lab
For a biotech, research, or testing lab: wet-lab experiments, assays, data integrity, and good laboratory or quality practices.
Field / Wildlife
Outdoor, survey work
For field-based work: wildlife and habitat surveys, species ID, GPS and GIS, and field-safety protocols in varied terrain.
Small Lab / First Hire
The small-firm version
The differentiator: a plain-language version for an owner or lab director making an early scientific hire who will wear several hats.
Biological Technician
Entry-level, hourly
For a support hire: sample prep, routine tests, and data entry under supervision. Non-exempt and hourly, with a path to biologist.
6 Biologist Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: organization and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, and how to apply, with an EEO statement and an FLSA line. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, environmental, research, field, small-lab first hire, and technician. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Biologist
The universal baseline: study organisms, run studies, analyze data, and document findings. The starting point to adapt to your setting.
Biologist Job Description (General)
BIOLOGIST JOB DESCRIPTION (GENERAL)
Company: __
Location: __ / [ ] On-site [ ] Hybrid [ ] Field
Reports to: __ (Lab Director / Principal / Owner)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: [ ] Exempt (learned professional) [ ] Non-exempt (confirm by duties and pay)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your firm, lab, or organization and the team the
biologist will join.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Biologist to study living organisms, design and run
studies, collect and analyze data, and document findings. You will apply
scientific methods to [our research, testing, or field work], maintain accurate
records, and follow safety and quality standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Design and conduct studies, experiments, or surveys
•Collect, prepare, and analyze biological samples
•Record, interpret, and report data accurately
•Maintain lab or field equipment and supplies
•Follow safety, quality, and documentation standards
•Write reports, protocols, and summaries
•Stay current with relevant scientific literature
•Collaborate with the team and external partners
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in biology or a related science; advanced degree a plus
•Relevant research, lab, or field experience
•Knowledge of scientific methods and data analysis
•Strong attention to detail and documentation
•Comfort with relevant lab or field equipment
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume and references to _ by ______.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Environmental / Consulting Biologist
For an environmental consultancy: species and habitat surveys, biological assessments, and permitting under federal and state law.
The differentiator: a plain-language version for an owner or lab director making an early scientific hire who will wear several hats.
Small Lab / First-Hire Biologist Job Description
SMALL LAB / FIRST-HIRE BIOLOGIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: __ (Owner / Lab Director)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: [ ] Exempt [ ] Non-exempt (confirm by duties and pay)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per year
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is a small [lab / consultancy / firm] making an early scientific
hire. As our Biologist, you will wear several hats: run studies or tests, handle
samples and data, keep records and compliance in order, and help build how we
work as we grow. This is a hands-on role with direct access to the owner.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Run studies, tests, or surveys end to end
•Handle samples, data, and documentation
•Set up and maintain simple lab or field processes
•Keep safety, quality, and compliance records current
•Help define protocols and standards as we grow
•Maintain equipment and order supplies
•Communicate findings clearly to the owner
•Support the broader team where needed
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in biology or related science
•Hands-on lab or field experience; self-directed
•Comfortable building processes from scratch
•Reliable, organized, and detail-focused
•Knowledge of relevant safety and compliance basics
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume and references to _ by ______.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Entry-Level Biological Technician
For a support hire: sample prep, routine tests, and data entry under supervision. Non-exempt and hourly, with a clear path to biologist.
Entry-Level Biological Technician Job Description
ENTRY-LEVEL BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __ (laboratory or field)
Reports to: __ (Biologist / Lab Lead)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Biological Technician to support our biologists and
research. This is an entry-level, hands-on role: prepare samples, run routine
tests, record data, and keep the lab or field operation running. Training is
provided.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Prepare and process biological samples
•Run routine tests and assays under supervision
•Record data accurately and maintain records
•Clean, maintain, and set up equipment
•Follow lab-safety and handling procedures
•Restock supplies and track inventory
•Support biologists with study or field tasks
•Follow protocols precisely and ask when unsure
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Associate or bachelor's degree in biology or related, or equivalent
•Lab coursework or hands-on experience a plus; training provided
•Careful, accurate, and detail-oriented
•Able to follow protocols and safety procedures
•Reliable and comfortable with repetitive lab work
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
Growth: clear path to Biologist with experience and education
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA Classification and Compliance
This is the part generic templates skip, and the part that protects your business: the FLSA classification that separates exempt scientists from non-exempt technicians, the salary threshold and state rules, and the setting-specific safety, permitting, and certification requirements. Get these right and your posting attracts the right candidate and keeps you compliant.
FLSA: degreed biologists are usually exempt, technicians are not
Classification turns on the learned professional exemption. Per the Department of Labor, the learned professional exemption applies when an employee is paid on a salary or fee basis of at least 684 dollars per week and has advanced knowledge in a field of science customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction. The DOL explicitly lists the physical, chemical, and biological sciences as qualifying fields, so a degreed research or consulting biologist is typically exempt. A routine biological technician doing standardized lab work without that advanced knowledge is typically non-exempt and paid hourly with overtime. Confirm each role by its actual duties and pay, not the title. This is general information, not legal advice.
The 684 dollar threshold and state rules
The federal salary threshold for the learned professional exemption is 684 dollars per week, or 35,568 dollars per year. A 2024 rule that would have raised it was vacated by a federal court in late 2024, so the 684 dollar standard remains in effect. Several states set higher salary thresholds and their own tests, which apply on top of the federal rule, so a biologist who is exempt federally may need a higher salary to be exempt in some states. Check your state before classifying the role. Misclassifying an exempt scientist or a non-exempt technician is a common and costly payroll mistake, so get it right at the job-description stage. This is general information, not legal advice.
Safety and compliance vary by setting
The compliance attached to a biologist role depends entirely on where the work happens. A wet lab carries lab-safety and biosafety obligations, chemical hazard communication, and often good laboratory or manufacturing practice standards for regulated work. An environmental or consulting role carries permitting and survey obligations under laws like the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Clean Water Act. Field and wildlife work carries field-safety, remote-work, and sometimes scientific-diving or wilderness-first-aid requirements. Name the standards that apply to your setting in the posting, since they shape the qualifications and the training the new hire will need. This is general information, not legal advice.
Certifications and training records
Many biologist roles require certifications or training that you should verify at hire and keep on file: lab-safety and biosafety training, hazard communication, CPR or wilderness first aid for field work, scientific-diving certification for aquatic work, and quality-system training for regulated labs. Some environmental roles require species-specific survey permits. Decide which apply to your role, name them in the posting, and plan to collect and store the documentation as part of onboarding. Keeping certification and training records organized and current is both a compliance need and a practical one, since lapsed certifications can stop a scientist from doing part of the job. This is general information, not legal advice.
Biological Sciences Qualify for the Learned Professional Exemption
Per the Department of Labor, the learned professional exemption requires a salary or fee basis of at least $684 per week and advanced knowledge in a field of science, and the DOL explicitly lists the biological sciences as qualifying. So a degreed research or consulting biologist is typically exempt, while a routine biological technician is typically non-exempt and hourly. State thresholds may be higher. This is general information, not legal advice.
Biologist requirements start from the degree and scale up with the role, from an entry-level technician to a degreed research or consulting scientist. Match the requirements to the setting and seniority.
Requirement
What to look for
Education
Bachelor's in biology or related; master's or PhD for research roles
Experience
Lab, field, or assessment experience matching the setting
Compliance
Familiarity with the relevant safety or permitting framework
Documentation
Careful data integrity and report-writing habits
Certifications
Lab-safety, field-safety, or diving where the role requires
Classification
Exempt for degreed scientists; non-exempt for technicians
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Biologist Pay
Biologist pay varies widely by specialization, setting, education, and region. Set your range using government data as a baseline, then adjust for the specific role.
Median $72,860 for Wildlife Biologists (BLS)
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, zoologists and wildlife biologists had a median annual wage of $72,860 in May 2024, and the broader life, physical, and social science group a median of $78,980. Biological technicians had a median of $52,000, ranging from about $38,060 to $81,990, with around 82,700 employed.
Research and biotech roles requiring advanced degrees often pay above these medians, while entry-level and field roles pay less. Benchmark your range to the specific role, the required education, and your local market.
Hiring for a Small Lab or Firm
A large research institution or agency hires biologists through a full recruiting and people operations team. A small environmental consultancy, an early-stage biotech, or an independent testing lab does not. The owner, lab director, or principal writes the posting, screens candidates, verifies certifications, and onboards the new scientist directly, often alongside their own work. For that operator, getting the role-matched template, the classification, and the compliance right matters even more.
Hiring the Scientist, Not Running the Lab
FirstHR helps you hire and onboard a biologist, but it is not a lab or LIMS system and does not run experiments or manage lab operations, so pair it with your scientific tools. Where FirstHR fits is the people side of the hire: e-signature for the offer letter and safety or policy acknowledgments, document management for certifications and lab-safety, biosafety, and field-safety records, training modules to assign safety orientation, and an employee database and org chart to place the scientist on your lab or field team. FirstHR does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a biologist accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and a science-specific onboarding. Because these roles carry safety and compliance requirements and often require certifications, getting a new scientist set up correctly and safely from day one matters.
Send the offer and sign-offs
Confirm the role, pay, and classification in writing, with an offer letter and safety or policy acknowledgments the new hire can e-sign.
Collect certifications
Gather and store lab-safety, biosafety, field-safety, or diving certifications and training records before the first day.
Run safety orientation
Assign lab-safety, biosafety, or field-safety training so a new scientist starts oriented and compliant.
Place the role on the team
Slot the biologist or technician into a clear reporting line on your lab or field team as the group grows.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new scientist a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, e-signature, document management for certifications, safety training, and the onboarding workflow in one place so a small lab or firm can manage the full process from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a lab or LIMS system, and it does not run payroll, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
Biologist is a broad title; name the specific type, since research, environmental, and field roles need different job descriptions.
Use the template that matches the setting: general, environmental, research, field, small-lab first hire, or technician.
Degreed biologists usually qualify for the FLSA learned professional exemption at $684 per week; technicians are usually non-exempt.
Compliance varies by setting: lab and biosafety for labs, ESA and NEPA permitting for environmental work, field safety for field roles.
Per BLS, zoologists and wildlife biologists had a median wage of $72,860, and biological technicians $52,000, in May 2024.
Small consultancies, biotechs, and testing labs hire biologists directly, so a role-matched template and compliance checklist help most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a biologist do?
A biologist studies living organisms and how they function, interact, and respond to their environment. The specific work depends heavily on the setting. A research or lab biologist designs and runs wet-lab experiments and analyzes results in a biotech or testing lab. An environmental or consulting biologist conducts field surveys and biological assessments and supports permitting for client projects. A field or wildlife biologist monitors animals and habitats outdoors. Across settings, the common thread is applying scientific methods: designing studies, collecting and analyzing samples and data, documenting findings accurately, and following safety and quality standards. Because the title is broad, a good job description names the specific type of biologist you are hiring. This is general information, not legal advice.
What are the different types of biologist roles?
Biologist is a broad title that splits into several distinct roles, which is why one generic template rarely fits. The main types are research or lab biologists in biotech and testing labs, environmental or consulting biologists who do field surveys and permitting, and field or wildlife biologists who monitor animals and habitats outdoors. There are also specializations like molecular, cell, microbiology, marine, and conservation biology, each with its own focus. The work, qualifications, and compliance differ across them: a wet-lab role centers on assays and lab safety, while a field role centers on surveys and field safety. Pick the template that matches the setting and specialization you are actually hiring for, then adjust. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a biologist exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
It depends on the role and pay. A degreed biologist doing professional scientific work usually qualifies for the FLSA learned professional exemption, which requires being paid on a salary or fee basis of at least 684 dollars per week and having advanced knowledge in a field of science acquired through prolonged specialized instruction. The Department of Labor explicitly lists the biological sciences as a qualifying field, so research and consulting biologists are typically exempt. A biological technician doing routine, standardized lab work without that advanced knowledge is typically non-exempt and paid hourly with overtime. Some states set higher salary thresholds, so confirm each role by its actual duties and pay against both federal and state rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
What qualifications should a biologist have?
Most biologist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in biology or a related science, with research and senior roles often requiring a master's or PhD. Beyond the degree, look for hands-on experience that matches the setting: wet-lab and assay experience for a research role, field-survey and species-identification experience for an environmental or field role, and familiarity with the relevant compliance framework, such as good laboratory practice for labs or the Endangered Species Act for environmental work. An entry-level biological technician role can accept an associate or bachelor's degree with training provided. Name the specific degree, experience, and any required certifications in the posting, and distinguish must-haves from nice-to-haves. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a biologist make?
Pay varies widely by specialization, setting, education, and region. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, zoologists and wildlife biologists had a median annual wage of 72,860 dollars in May 2024, while the broader life, physical, and social science group had a median of 78,980 dollars. Biological technicians, the entry-level support role, had a median of 52,000 dollars, ranging from about 38,060 dollars to 81,990 dollars. Research and biotech roles, especially those requiring advanced degrees, often pay more, while entry-level and field roles pay less. For a posting, benchmark the pay range to the specific role, the required education, and your local market, and state a range where required. This is general information, not compensation advice.
What compliance applies to hiring a biologist?
It depends on where the work happens. A wet-lab role carries lab-safety and biosafety obligations, chemical hazard communication, and often good laboratory or manufacturing practice standards. An environmental or consulting role carries permitting and survey obligations under laws like the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Clean Water Act. Field and wildlife work carries field-safety requirements and sometimes scientific-diving or wilderness-first-aid certification. On top of these, the FLSA classification question applies to every role. Name the standards relevant to your setting in the job description, since they shape the qualifications you require and the training and certifications you will collect during onboarding. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do small labs and firms hire biologists directly?
Yes. Small environmental consultancies, early-stage biotech and testing labs, agricultural firms, and conservation nonprofits regularly hire biologists, and at that size the owner, lab director, or principal usually runs the hire directly. They write the posting, screen candidates, verify certifications, make the offer, and onboard the new scientist, often alongside their own scientific work. That makes a structured, repeatable process more valuable, not less. A clear role-matched template, FLSA classification guidance, and a compliance and certification checklist let a small lab or firm hire consistently and get a new scientist set up correctly and safely from day one. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a biologist job description include?
Start by naming the specific type: general, environmental or consulting, research or lab, field or wildlife, small-lab first hire, or technician, since each shifts the framing. Include a short organization summary, a job summary that names the setting and scientific focus, and responsibilities grouped into studies and analysis, documentation, safety and quality, and equipment and method. State the required degree and experience, and name the compliance framework for your setting. The most valuable additions that generic templates skip are the FLSA classification line, exempt for degreed scientists and non-exempt for technicians, and the role-specific compliance and certification requirements. Close with an equal opportunity statement and apply instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
