Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Biology Professor
What biology professors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a biology professor?
Teach intro biology to 200 students. From there, the day usually includes teach biology courses, run teaching labs, and lead a research lab. Teaching, research and service; field research may require travel.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a biology professor working full time.
- Teach intro biology to 200 students.
- Meet lab members.
- Review gene expression data.
- Supervise a genetics lab section.
- Write a grant renewal.
- Hold office hours.
- Edit a manuscript.
Where biology professors work
Biology faculty work in classrooms, labs, field sites and offices.
Hours and schedule
Teaching, research and service; field research may require travel.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Teach biology courses
- Run teaching labs
- Lead a research lab
- Mentor student researchers
- Write grant proposals
- Publish research
- Serve on committees
Tools you’ll use every day
- Lab equipment
- Microscopes
- Sequencing data tools
- Statistical software
- Learning management systems
- Field equipment
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Exciting research
- Flexible schedule
- Mentor future scientists
What’s hard
- Grant pressure
- Long training with postdocs
- Large intro classes
- Competitive tenure track
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love biology
- I want to run a lab
- I enjoy teaching
- I like mentoring
- I can handle grant pressure
- I’m willing to train for years
Not sure? Take the free Biology Professor fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow biosafety and chemical safety
- Comply with IRB and IACUC
- Protect student privacy
- Train lab members