To become a bioanalyst, you’ll need to begin by determining if this career path is right for you. Do you have an interest and curiosity for different forms of life? Are you interested in a career that allows you to help develop new products and practices in the fields of medicine and agriculture?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to these questions, then this field might be well suited for you!
Below we've outlined what you'll need to succeed. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Educational Requirements
To get an entry-level job as a bioanalyst, you typically need a university or college degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or a related natural science. Completing coursework in mathematics, computer science or statistics as a part of your science degree is highly recommended.
Although it may not be necessary to get a job in this field, having a graduate degree in one of the above mentioned fields, or in bioinformatics, is ideal.
Success Tip: Having a graduate degree can grant you access to a higher pay grade, senior level positions and give you an edge over competition for jobs
General Job Description
Bioanalysts, also known as bio-informaticians, are responsible for breaking down, creating and investigating biological compounds. They are typically employed in research roles for chemical producers or universities.
General Job Duties
• Use a variety of techniques to break down, create and investigate biological compounds
• Plan and conduct research using chemical analysis
• Supervise the work of technicians and assistants
• Record detailed notes of research process, methods and findings
• Provide bio-analytical data to other researchers for wider clinical research
• Instruct other personnel in basic analytical techniques such as chromatography, electrophoretic straining, mass spectrometry and various simple methods of analyzing materials
Typical Salary Level
The salary level of bioanalysts can vary depending on many factors, such as where they work, their level of education, their experience and others.
Canada: According to the 2018 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Biologists and Related Scientists occupational group earned on average from $84,998 per year. Unfortunately, no similar statistics were available from reliable sources for other Canadian provinces or territories at the time of writing (June 14, 2019).
United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the Microbiologist occupational group earn a median salary of $65,920.
Skills Needed to Be Successful
• Must be skilled in the use of various biological data analysis tools, such as analysis software
• Must have excellent knowledge of genetic and molecular biology, statistics and probability
• Project management skills, in regards to the collection of data, supervising staff and recording results
Characteristics Needed for This Line of Work
Even with the right education and skill set, becoming successful in a career as a bioanalyst is not guaranteed. If you’re reading the list of personality and intellectual traits listed below, and you recognize many of the traits in yourself, you may be well suited to become a bioanalyst.
• An interest, curiosity and appreciation for different forms of life
• An interest in mathematics, statistics and science
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Able to use logic and reasoning to solve problems
• Enjoy conducting research and synthesizing information
• Must enjoy working with specialized equipment and instruments
• Attention to detail and excellent observation skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to keep detailed records
Who Employs Bioanalysts?
Bioanalysts take part in basic and applied research for the purpose of enhancing our knowledge of living organisms. There are many types of organizations that are interested in employing their skills, knowledge and competencies for the purpose of developing new products and practices in the fields of medicine and agriculture, including:
• Agricultural research agencies/firms
• Biological supply companies
• Biotechnology firms
• Colleges and universities
• Ecological consulting companies
• Environmental and bio-technical regulatory agencies
• Environmental impact research and assessment organizations
• Federal biological/botanical agencies
• Food production companies
• Food regulation department of government
• Healthcare institutions and hospitals
• Pharmaceutical firms
• Science journals
Work Environment
The work settings, conditions and duties of bioanalysts can vary greatly from one job or employer to the next. Below are examples of the primary types of settings for bioanalysts careers:
Office: Bioanalysts working in an office setting provide advice and counsel to businesses, environmental groups or government agencies. Bioanalysts that work in office settings typically work during normal weekday hours.
Laboratory: These bio-analysts spend the majority of their time conducting, documenting and analyzing research in a laboratory setting. Working in a laboratory typically involves working with hazardous organic materials and inorganic chemicals. These bioanalysts typically work during normal weekday hours.
Fieldwork: Bioanalysts working in the field are involved in the identification and documentation of species, ecosystems and habitats, as well as the collection of biological samples. Bioanalysts who perform work in the field are subject to a variety of weather conditions and work hazards. Their work may also involve traveling for long periods of time on research ships, or it may involve them traversing remote and rugged terrain for various lengths of time.
Bioanalyst Jobs
Our job board below has "Bioanalyst" postings in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Similar Occupational Profiles in Our Database
Listed below are occupations in our database that are similar in nature to 'bioanalyst', as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
References for This Career Guide
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career in this field.
Occupations in Alberta: “Biologist.” (March 31, 2019). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
Life, Physical, and Social Science: “Microbiologists.” (September 4, 2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook - United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
Articles: “Bioanalysts: Past, Present & Future.” (n.d.). California Association of Bioanalysts website. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
Scholarships for Becoming a Bioanalyst
Scholarships listed for majors that apply to becoming a bioanalyst can be found on our Biochemistry Scholarships and Biology Scholarships pages.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Relevant Fields of Study
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point for getting started in this field. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
