the future of hot jobs: Biological scientists

In the past two years the U.S. economy lost more than 7 million jobs. Currently, the U.S. labor force, nearly 10% of people are unemployed. It forecast the unemployment rate may be difficult in the next two years decreased significantly. However, even such a slump in the job market situation, there are some very optimistic about the employment prospects of the industry. Voice of America program is series of reports on financial aspect "future hot jobs" in the industry to introduce you to these different work. Today, introduce you to biological scientists.

If you ask what your visual impression of biological scientists, you will probably describes them: wear white coats, with eye protection, hand holding test tube, a lot of time sitting in front microscope.

Yes, many biological scientists should do research is one such time. However, you may not have been their many other features. To be honest, apart from these stereotypes, it is difficult for scientists to do a word bio to cover it.

So the reason is that areas of biological science itself is a big subject. It is inclusive, involving all relevant studies and life. It contains many branches, such as biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology and ecology.

Biological scientists do not always stay in the laboratory, although in most cases may be so, but some also need biological research conducted outside the laboratory. For example, the botanist may need to go to study tropical rain forest plant growth state, a forest ecologist may be after the fire in a forest restoration to observe the situation there. Many marine biologists also need to work on vessels in the study year.

The area is too large, we have a branch of ecology to biology, for example, ecologists have to see what? Ecological Society of America Public Affairs Officer 纳丁莱姆恩 (Nadine Lymn) said that ecology itself, is a cover a wide range of subjects.

She said: "Ecologists study all aspects of the environment, the environment and ecosystems of species, their habitats and how they influence each other. This also includes the human environment relationship and between people of the same."

Lai Muen that some ecologists specializing in disease ecology, research had found in how the disease among wild animals to humans. Human face many troubles in recent years, including SARS, avian flu, swine flu spread in the population, are these scientists to study.

Overall, the biological scientist is a career high academic requirements. Very often, it requires a doctoral degree. Of course, this area there are many masters and Bachelor of Education researchers.

According to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008, the United States has about 91,300 active biological scientists, but this does not include those taught in the university biological scientists.

Another feature of this career, there are about four percent of biological scientists employed by federal, state and local governments. Biologists employed by the federal government in which the main works for the Ministry of Agriculture, Interior, Defence and National Health Research Institute.

Bureau of Labor Statistics that biological scientists have very good prospects for the job market is expected from 2008 to 2018, the employment needs of biological scientists will grow 21 per cent, well above the industry average.

In addition, the development of biological sciences also changes in the formation of the employment market. For example, as the biotechnology industry to mature, the new agency will be less and less, while the existing institutions will be incorporated into the larger biotech or pharmaceutical companies. However, in recent years, the basic biological research is done to create some new areas, such as gene isolation and identification. This is also to biological scientists bring new challenges and opportunities.

On the other hand, the public awareness of environmental protection for the biological scientists will bring more job opportunities. The Lai Muen Ecological Society of America, said:

"Of course, you may be referred to 'green economy', this new focus. In fact, the public seems more aware of the environment we face the challenge and eager to understand this problem. Therefore, in the study of natural and their interactive relationship with no shortage of demand for trained people. "

In addition, Lai Muen said that from a member of the Institute you can see a trend, many scientists, especially the young generation of scientists hope their research can be close to public life. She said that many of them may no longer be in love with academic research, but engaged in various non-profit organization hopes to influence environmental policy.

Biological scientists in different fields have different incomes. For example, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2010 when the median biochemist annual income of $ 82,840, while the microbiologist, the median annual salary of $ 64,350. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers data from mid 2011, with a bachelor's degree in biology and life science office's starting salary $ 33,254.