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Biologists and Related Scientists  (NOC 2121)
Mauricie Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Biologists and related scientists conduct basic and applied research to extend knowledge of living organisms, to manage natural resources, and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, environmental consulting companies, resource and utilities companies, chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies and health and educational institutions.

anatomist, bacteriologist, bioinformatician, biologist, botanist, cell biologist, ecologist, embryologist, geneticist, histologist, immunologist, marine biologist, microbiologist, molecular biologist, parasitologist, pharmacologist, physiologist, protozoologist, toxicologist, virologist, zoologist.

Biologists perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Plan and conduct studies of the environment, and of the population, distribution, structure and functional characteristics and behaviour of plants and animals
  • Conduct ecological and environmental impact studies and prepare reports
  • Study, identify and classify plant and animal specimens
  • Conduct experiments in plant or animal growth, heredity and breeding
  • Prepare reports and plans for management of renewable resources
  • May supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Microbiologists and cell and molecular biologists perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Conduct research into the structure, function, ecology, biotechnology and genetics of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and algae
  • Conduct research into the structure and functioning of human, animal and plant tissues and cells
  • Conduct studies into the identification, effects and control of human, plant and animal pathogens and toxins
  • Conduct clinical or laboratory studies to test, evaluate and screen drugs and pharmaceuticals
  • Conduct molecular or biochemical studies and experiments into genetic expression, gene manipulation and recombinant DNA technology
  • Conduct research to discover, develop and refine, and evaluate new products
  • May participate in the commercialization of new products
  • May supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists
  • May conduct biostatistical data analysis using computer modelling techniques.

Biologists and related scientists may specialize at the macroscopic level, in fields such as botany, zoology, ecology and marine biology or, at the cellular and molecular level, in fields such as genetics, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, pathology, bacteriology and virology.

Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Trois-Rivières, Louiseville, Shawinigan, Grand-Mère, La Tuque, Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap, Saint-Louis-de-France, Saint-Tite, Shawinigan-Sud, Les Vieilles-Forges

View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Biologists and Related Scientists in Mauricie Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

National Outlook – 10-Year Projection (2011-2020)

This section provides labour demand and labour supply projections for this occupation over the 2011-2020 period.

Note: The tables, graphs and middle paragraph shown under this section display updated 2011-2020 projection results. The remaining narrative text (2009-2018 projections) will be updated shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The data in the following table are derived from HRSDC’s Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). COPS uses a variety of models to produce a detailed 10-year labour market projection per broad skill level and per occupation at the national level, which focuses on the trends of labour supply and labour demand over the next ten years.

This occupation (Biologists and Related Scientists) is part of a larger occupational group called Life Science Professionals (NOC 212).

Table on the demographic profile for your chosen occupation at the national level.
Occupations in this group Biologists and Related Scientists (2121) 
Forestry Professionals (2122) 
Agricultural Representatives, Consultants and Specialists (2123) 
Employment (non-student) in 2010 24,080
Median Age of workers in 2010 42
Average Retirement Age in 2010 61

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation experienced a drop in employment and its unemployment rate increased. Moreover, the average hourly wage grew slightly less quickly than the average for all occupations, but remained high. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was sufficient to fill the job openings in this occupation.

Over the 2011-2020 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected number of job openings is significantly greater than the projected number of job seekers. An occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected number of job openings is smaller than the projected number of job seekers. For Life Science Professionals, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 10,440 and 10,875 job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill the job openings.

Based on projections and considering that labour supply and demand in this occupation were balanced over the 2008-2010 period, it is expected that the number of job seekers will remain sufficient to fill job openings over the 2011-2020 period. Job openings will arise from both new positions due to expansion demand and retirements. Employment growth will be slightly stronger than average in this occupation over the projection period even though the budget constraints that various levels of government are facing will have a negative impact on job creation. However, investments in the health and biomedical research sector will remain very strong. Retirements will also represent a major source of job openings. The retirement rate will be similar to the average rate for all occupations. With regard to labour supply, the majority of job seekers will come from the school system, which is not surprising, considering the very specialized nature of this occupation.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.
Table of job opening projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Openings %
Expansion Demand 3,799 36%
Retirements 5,109 49%
Other Replacement Demand 972 9%
Emigration 560 5%
Projected Job Openings 10,440 100%
Table of job seeker projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Seekers %
School Leavers 7,474 69%
Immigration 2,478 23%
Other 923 8%
Projected Job Seekers 10,875 100%

In which industry or sector do people in this occupation find jobs in Canada?

This table shows the industry and sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.

This table shows the industry sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.
Industry / Sector %
Professional, scientific and technical services 33.70
Public administration 31.40
Health care and social assistance 11.70
Educational services 5.70

What percentage of people in this occupation are self-employed?

The graph displays the percentage of people in this occupation who are “self-employed”, according to the 2006 Census, in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

As shown in the graph, according to the 2006 Census, 7% of people in this occupation were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 12%.

The data from the Labour Force Survey (2009) regarding self-employment for this group are not sufficiently reliable to be published.

What proportion of men and women work in this occupation?

The graph displays the proportion of men and women in this occupation in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), women represented 47% of workers in this occupation, compared to the average of 48% for all occupations.

What percentage of people in this occupation are members of a union?

This occupation (Biologists and Related Scientists) is part of a larger group called Life Science Professionals (NOC 212). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 33%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.

Please consult the Mauricie Region and Québec tabs for more useful information related to outlook.