An evolutionary biologist studies how DNA can change inside an organism over many generations. A direct understanding of these changes allow these researchers to predict future developments in chronic diseases. At this point, an evolutionary biologist focuses mostly on gene mutations of single cell organisms; anything larger would make it difficult to track over many generations. If this sounds interesting to you, here are some ways to further pursue this career field.
How to Pursue a Career as an Evolutionary Biologist: Plan to Obtain a PhD
The vast majority of evolutionary biologist jobs are research-related. Therefore, doctors tend to fill this career field. According to US News, the Universities of California-Berkley, Harvard, California-Davis, Chicago, and Stanford are the five best schools to pursue this graduate degree. Although these biologists study the evolutionary side of the subject, they must have a strong background in the other fields of biology as well. This means that it would be optimal to find a school with a great undergrad biology program as well. Cornell and Harvard are two examples of schools that have great undergrad and graduate programs.
How to Pursue a Career as an Evolutionary Biologist: Network Within the Academic Community
Although an evolutionary biologist can find work in other areas, the vast majority of openings are available at the university level. The best way to immerse yourself in this community is to network like crazy. Join science clubs and develop relationships with the sponsoring professors. Attend guest lectures by other evolutionary biologists and try to strike a conversation. Work as a teaching assistant to the classes that best fit your career goals. This will allow you to get a lot of face time with those who are already successful in this field. These people become a great source of advice and guidance.
How to Pursue a Career as an Evolutionary Biologist: Plan to Conduct Your Own Research
The most reliable (but not the easiest) way to obtain a job in the academic community as an evolutionary biologist is to get published in a reputable medical journal. Most people don’t attempt this until they have already secured a job; it takes years for an article to be approved by a jury of peers and most doctors can’t wait that long before they look for a job.
Therefore, starting your college career with your research in mind will give you a huge edge. Developing a thesis and finding opportunities to conduct experiments will put you on the track to getting published. Even if an article is in the peer review process, it looks very good to prospective employers. Universities love when they get their names attached to authors in respected journals, and they will hire those doctors that can do it for them.
How to Pursue a Career as an Evolutionary Biologist: Research the Private Sector
Although the vast majority of jobs for an evolutionary biologist are located in academics, there are jobs within private corporations that hire biologists. Drug companies can find obvious uses for an evolutionary biologist. These biologists study the effect that genetic mutations have on living organisms. Therefore, they can help predict how a disease can change over time. This information can be considered extremely useful for companies like Merck and Pfizer.
As for other jobs in other fields, think outside of the box. Many different career fields can use the help of an evolutionary biologist.