How to hire biological scientists, all other

Job description template

Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.

[Job title] at [Company name]
[City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range]

About the role
[Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.]

What you will do
• Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
• Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
• Compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics.
• Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
• Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
• Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.
• Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.
• Test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software.

What you bring
• [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any]
• [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Bachelor's degree]
• Strong science, reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, active learning and active listening skills
• Working knowledge of biology, computers and electronics, English Language and engineering and technology
• [Anything else you would really turn someone away for]

Pay and benefits
[Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $47.56 an hour ($98,920 a year).
[Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.]

How to apply
[Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]

Copy the template Check your finished job post

Interview questions for biological scientists, all other

Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.

1. Tell me about a time you had to analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
2. Tell me about a time you had to communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
3. Tell me about a time you had to compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
4. Tell me about a time you had to consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
5. Tell me about a time you used scientific or technical knowledge to solve a work problem.
6. Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
7. Describe something important you wrote at work, such as a report, notes or an email. Who read it and what happened next?
8. Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?

Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.

What biological scientists, all other do

• Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
• Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
• Compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics.
• Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
• Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
• Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.
• Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.
• Test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software.

Skills that matter most

ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive LearningActive ListeningBiologyComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageEngineering and Technology

Education, experience and outlook for biological scientists, all other

• Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
• Job outlook: +4.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 4,300 openings a year (BLS)

What to pay biological scientists, all other

Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:

See biological scientists, all other pay in every state

Related hiring guides

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• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Job duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.