Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Biological technologists and technicians may work independently or provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in the fields of agriculture, resource management, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences. They are employed both in laboratory and in field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies and resource and utilities companies.

Nature of Work

Biological technologists and technicians may work independently or provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in the fields of agriculture, resource management, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences. They are employed both in laboratory and in field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies and resource and utilities companies.

Duties

Biological technologists conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses in support of quality control in food production, sanitation, pharmaceutical production and other fields. They may also perform experimental procedures in agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research and conduct field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, plant and animal populations. Other duties may include analyzing data and preparing reports and conducting or supervising operational programs, such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs.

Biological technicians assist in conducting biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses and perform limited range of technical functions in support of agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research. They also assist in conducting field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, plant and animal populations, and they assist in analyzing data and preparing reports.

Example Titles

• bacteriology technician
• microbiology technologist
• plant breeding technician
• microbiology quality control technologist
• seed technologist
• fisheries technician
• biological laboratory technologist
• agrology technician
• agricultural technologist
• agricultural technician
• botanical technician
• fish hatchery technician
• aquaculture technician
• food bacteriological technician
• wildlife biology technician

Training Paths

Individuals interested in a career in life sciences can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, with specialization in Horticulture or Agronomy from U of S. U of R and U of S offer Bachelor of Science degree programs in Biology and FNUniv offers a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Environmental Health and Science. SIAST offers related diploma programs in Biotechnology, Chemical Technology and Medical Laboratory Technology. U of R offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in Chemical Technology. This is available to graduates of SIAST's Chemical Technology diploma program. SIAST also offers training programs for prospective Technologists and Technicians, including the Integrated Resource Management diploma program. This program offers specialization for prospective Fisheries, Forestry, Park Management, and Wildlife Technicians.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: fair

The number of biological technicians and technologists employed in the province increased slightly during the late nineties; by 10%, in fact. This upward trend did not continue, however. According to Statistics Canada, there were over 200 more biological technologists and technicians working in Saskatchewan in 2000 than there were in 2005; a 28% decrease in five years. Whether or not this trend continues, some jobs will become available in the next few years, primarily due to replacement demand in the educational services and public administration industries. It should be remembered, that employment for biological technologists and technicians is often closely tied to research and development funding. Increases in funding, whether from government sources or from private industry, can result in higher than expected employment numbers for this field of work.

Biological technicians and technologists are fairly well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in this occupational group was $51,300 per year. This remains above the average provincial full-time income for all occupations that year ($42,300 per year). Many, of course, make more or less than the 2005 average. The highest paid technologists and technicians in this occupational group earned $70,200 in 2005; the lowest paid earned $31,800. Incomes for biological science technicians and technologists are generally higher in and around Regina and Saskatoon than elsewhere in the province.

Just over half of all biological technicians and technologists in the province worked full time in 2005. Employment in these occupations was distributed fairly evenly between men and women. Roughly 57% of all biological technicians and technologists in Saskatchewan were female in 2006. Self-employment is uncommon in the life sciences. Work is often seasonal but not very sensitive to overall economic conditions. Sixty-four percent of all biological technologists and technicians in the province were employed in Saskatoon in 2006; a mere 7% worked in or around Regina. The rest of the work force is distributed throughout the province. This is a young work force, with 75% of all technologists and technicians in Saskatchewan 45 years of age or younger in 2006.

Knowledge in biological sciences often advances rapidly, and it is crucial that technologists and technicians in this field keep abreast of developments within their area of expertise. A career in any of these fields will involve periods of retraining and professional development. Technicians and technologists who continually upgrade their skills have an advantage over others seeking employment in these fields.

Professional Associations

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