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2. Biological Sciences

Biological sciences within government encompasses an array of disciplines dedicated to the understanding of life and its interconnected processes. In this section, you can explore unique skill sets within government such as biochemistry and genetics to microbiology and biosecurity.

201 – Biochemistry and cell biology

202 – Bioinformatics and computational biology

203 – Ecology

204 – Evolutionary biology

205 – Genetics

206 – Industrial biotechnology

207 – Microbiology

208 – Plant biology

209 – Zoology

210 – Other biological sciences

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201 – Biochemistry and cell biology

This sub-group covers biochemistry or the chemistry of living organisms. It includes bioinformatics, cell biology and membrane biology.

Departments

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
– Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
– Food Standards Agency (FSA)
– Home Office (HO)
– Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
– Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA)
– UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

202 – Bioinformatics and computational biology

This sub-group covers bioinformatics and computational biology.

Departments

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
– Home Office (HO)
– Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
– Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA)
– UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

203 – Ecology

This sub-group covers ecology other than its environmental applications.

Departments

Home Office (HO)

Case study – Katherine Perkins, Science Support Lead for Director for Home Office Science (Fast Streamer).

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Department for Education (DfE)
– Ministry of Justice (MOJ)

204 – Evolutionary biology

This sub-group covers evolutionary biology, including biogeography and adaptation.

Departments

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Home Office (HO)

205 – Genetics

This sub-group covers genetics and heredity.

Departments

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
– Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
– Food Standards Agency (FSA)
– Home Office (HO)
– Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA)
– UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

206 – Industrial Biotechnology

This sub-group covers industrial biotechnology.

Departments

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
– Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
– Home Office (HO)
– Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
– Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA)
– UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

207 – Microbiology

This sub-group covers microbiology, including bacteriology, parasitology and virology.

Departments

Food Standards Agency (FSA)

Case study – Dr Kathryn Callaghan, Microbiological risk assessor including food incidents and outbreaks.

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
– Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
– Home Office (HO)
– Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
– Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (OCSA)
– UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

208 – Plant biology

This sub-group covers plant biology. It includes plant pathology other than that associated with plant protection procedures used in agriculture and horticulture and phycology, including algae and marine grasses.

Departments

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Home Office (HO)

209 – Zoology

This sub-group covers zoology.

Departments

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
– Home Office (HO)

210 – Other biological sciences

This sub-group covers biological sciences not elsewhere classified. It includes forensic biology and global change biology.

Departments

Home Office (HO)

Case study – Karen Kaur, DNA Scientific Specialist (Forensic science).

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Case study – Jayne Moquet, Principal Radiation Protection Scientist (UK Radiation Chemicals and Environmental Hazards).

Case studies to follow for these departments/agencies:
– Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
– Department for Education (DfE)
– Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
– Ministry of Defence – Science (MOD)