Biology Technician Science & Engineering Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Biology Technician Do?
Biology technicians provide technical assistance in researching and analysing the relationship between living organisms and their environment. They use laboratory equipment to examine organic substances such as bodily fluids, medicines, plants and food. They collect and analyse data for experiments, compile reports and maintain laboratory stock.
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Where Do I Start?
Scientific Research Methodology
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Biology Technician
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialScientific Research Methodology knowledge
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
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EssentialBiology knowledge
Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialLaboratory Equipment knowledge
The tools and equipment used by scientists and other scientific professionals in a laboratory.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialLaboratory Techniques knowledge
Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnalyse Experimental Laboratory Data skill
Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Safety Procedures In Laboratory skill
Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Scientific Methods skill
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist In The Production Of Laboratory Documentation skill
Assist in documenting laboratory work, especially paying attention to policies and standard operating procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCalibrate Laboratory Equipment skill
Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCollect Biological Data skill
Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCollect Samples For Analysis skill
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Laboratory Equipment skill
Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Inventory skill
Control product inventory in balance of availability and storage costs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Laboratory Tests skill
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Scientific Research skill
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWrite Technical Reports skill
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Laboratory Equipment skill
Make correct use of laboratory equipment when working in a laboratory.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 26 displayed)
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OptionalEcology knowledge
The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.
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OptionalOceanography knowledge
The scientific discipline that studies oceanic phenomena such as marine organisms, plate tectonics, and the geology of the ocean bottom.
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OptionalVirology knowledge
The structure, characteristics, evolution and interactions of viruses and the diseases they cause.
Recommended Books
3 books -
OptionalAnimal Welfare Legislation knowledge
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalBotany knowledge
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalPharmacology knowledge
Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalMicrobiology-bacteriology knowledge
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalMolecular Biology knowledge
The interactions between the various systems of a cell, the interactions between the different types of genetic material and how these interactions are regulated.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalApplied Zoology knowledge
The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
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OptionalPollution Prevention knowledge
The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalEvolutionary Biology knowledge
The study of evolutionary processes from which the diversity of Earth's life forms originated. Evolutionary biology is a subdiscipline of biology and studies Earth's life forms from the origin of …
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OptionalEnvironmental Legislation knowledge
The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalBiosecurity knowledge
Be aware of the general principles of the concept of bio-security and in particular, the disease prevention rules to be implemented in case of epidemics endangering public health.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalChemistry knowledge
The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalHazardous Waste Storage knowledge
The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPathology knowledge
The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAnalyse Blood Samples skill
Analyse blood samples using computer-aided and manual techniques, looking for white or red blood cell abnormalities and other risk factors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAnalyse Cell Cultures skill
Analyse cell cultures grown from tissue samples, performing also screening of the cervical smear to detect fertility issues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Task Records skill
Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalLabel Samples skill
Label raw material/ product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor The Welfare Of Animals skill
Monitor animals' physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrepare Visual Data skill
Prepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Research Proposals skill
Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Database skill
Maintain a freelance database that offers extra support to your teams and is able to calculate negotiating costs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Field Research skill
Participate in field research and evaluation of state and private lands and waters.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPreserve Samples skill
Preserve collected and labelled samples of raw materials and other food products. Preserve samples applying chemical or physical methods.
Course recommendations coming soon.
