A biology professor's week is split between the classroom and behind the scenes: writing syllabi, preparing lab activities, and grading coursework, papers, and lab reports. Many also advise students on which courses to take or what career paths their major supports, and stay current in the field by reading new research and attending conferences. Some professors focus purely on teaching, while others split time between instruction and running their own research program, which shapes how much of their week goes to the classroom versus the lab. A PhD in biology or a closely related field is the standard credential for the role.
Pros
High upside earning potential, up to $170k, above most postsecondary teaching fields
Faster than average projected growth (7.3%) as biology and life science programs expand
Combines lecture teaching with hands-on lab instruction, offering variety in daily work
Cons
Above-average hours, expect more than a standard 40-hour work week
Fast-paced work with real deadlines around lab schedules, grading, and curriculum planning
Requires a PhD, a long and often low-paid path through graduate school
A typical day
The 9am intro-bio lecture for 200 students runs on practiced energy — today is cellular respiration, taught with a demonstration and three clicker questions that reveal exactly which concept is about to be missed on the exam. Office hours draw a pre-med panicking over a B and a quiet sophomore whose question is really 'could I do research?', which gets a yes and a lab invitation. The afternoon splits between the professor's research — a graduate student's gel results to interpret, a revision letter from a journal to answer point by point — and the teaching machinery: writing next week's exam, prepping the lab sections, a curriculum committee debating whether to redesign the majors' sequence. Recommendation letters, always. The job is teaching, discovering, and mentoring run in parallel, permanently.
Tasks at the job
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Prepare materials for laboratory activities and course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting.
The pace is often fast, with real time pressure to meet deadlines, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. The work is highly structured, following set procedures.