Fast Track Immigration for Biologists and Related Scientists

The Federal Skilled Worker of Canada's Immigration Program has become quite restrictive in the recent past. Only 29 occupations are considered eligible for processing with a quota limitation of only 500 application from all around the world in a calender year. The good news is those who find their occupation listed in the 29 occupations demand list are being processed on fast track basis within 12 months. Biologists and Related Scientists are listed in the demand list.

In order to qualify, one must meet the definition of a Biologist and must have performed duties as described under the National Occupation Classification (NOC). According to the NOC, 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 are also part of this occupation. According to the NOC, they 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.

The following example of titles are found under the Occupation of Biologists and Related Scientists:

agricultural scientist
agriculture research officer – military
agrogeologist
algologist
anatomist
animal ecologist
animal geneticist
animal nutritionist
animal taxonomist
aquatic biologist
bacteriologist
bacteriologist – animal health
bioinformatician
biological scientist
biologist
biologist, enzymology
biologist, medical parasitology
biologist, parasitology
biologist, protozoology
biologist, veterinary parasitology
botanist
bryologist
cell biologist
cellular physiologist
crop scientist
crop-research scientist
cytochemist
cytogeneticist
cytologist
cytologist-microbiologist
dairy bacteriologist
dairy scientist
descriptive toxicologist
developmental biologist
developmental geneticist
domestic animal scientist
ecobiologist
ecologist
economic botanist
embryologist
entomologist
entomologist, apiculture
environmental and occupational toxicologist
environmental biologist
environmental toxicologist
enzymologist
enzymology biologist
etiologist
fishery bacteriologist
fishery products bacteriologist
food bacteriologist
food products bacteriologist
food products scientist
food research scientist
food scientist
forest ecologist
forest pathologist
geneticist
helminthologist
herpetologist
histologist
histopathologist
human physiologist
hydrobiologist
ichthyologist
immunologist
industrial bacteriologist
insect physiologist
interpretative naturalist
invertebrate zoologist
laboratory immunologist
limnologist
malariologist
mammalogist
marine biologist
marine hydrobiologist
marine mammal trainer
mechanistic toxicologist
medical parasitology biologist
microbiologist
molecular biologist
molecular geneticist
molecular physiologist
mycologist
naturalist
nematologist
ornithologist
osteologist
parasitologist
parasitology biologist
park naturalist
pathologist, forests
pathologist, plants
pharmaceutical bacteriologist
pharmacologist
physiological biophysicist
physiologist
physiologist-biochemist – nuclear medicine
phytobiologist
phytopathologist
plant anatomist
plant breeder
plant ecologist
plant nematologist
plant pathologist
plant physiologist
plant population biologist
plant scientist
plant taxonomist
population geneticist
poultry scientist
protozoologist
protozoology biologist
public health bacteriologist
regulatory toxicologist
research biologist
research officer, agriculture – military
rural ecologist
serologist
soil bacteriologist
staff toxicologist
systematist, biology
systems biologist
taxonomist, biology
toxicologist
veterinary parasitology biologist
virologist
wildlife biologist
wildlife helminthologist
wildlife naturalist
zoologist

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.

Employment prospects for biologists and related scientists are expected to be fair for 2011-2012 in the Toronto economic region. According to the 2006 census, there were about 2,000 biologists and related scientists in the Toronto economic region, an increase of nearly 18% from the previous census. The number of job opportunities will be limited by the fact that this is a relatively small occupational group in the Toronto economic region compared to other occupations. However, there is a high concentration of research facilities, universities and hospitals in the Toronto area that promote research and development. Close to two-fifths of Ontario workers were found in the Toronto economic region, according to the 2006 census. Compared to all occupations in the region, biologists and related scientists are a younger workforce. Less than one-fifth of workers are over the age of 50, therefore, retirements will contribute limited openings over the next several years.

In Ontario, the outlook for biologists and related scientists is expected to be fair over the period 2011-2012. At the time of the 2006 census, there were about 5,300 biologists and related scientists in Ontario, a 19% increase from the previous census. Compared to other occupations, this is a relatively small occupational group in the province. The majority of biologists and related scientists are concentrated in the Toronto and Ottawa regions. Many biologists are employed in the public sector. Employment for this occupational group may be limited by government funding for the healthcare, energy and environmental sectors. Biologists and related scientists with a high level of education as well as those with a specialization will have the best employment prospects. There is a trend toward employers looking for workers with diverse skill sets that include engineering and project management.

 

National Outlook (2010 - 2020 Porjection)

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

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

Category	Openings	%
Expansion Demand	3,799	36%
Retirements	5,109	49%
Deaths	972	9%
Emigration	560	5%
Projected Job Openings	10,440	100%

Category	Seekers	%
School Leavers	7,474	69%
Immigration	2,478	23%
Net Mobility	923	8%
Projected Job Seekers	10,875	100%

[ Source:Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) ]

If you have at least one year of full time/full time equivalent paid and continous work experience as a Biologist, you may qualify to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. In addition to having the experience, you must score at least 67 points on selection grid for skill workers. The factors on which your qualification would depend include Age, Education, Work Experience, Language Skills and Adaptability. In addition, you must possess the minimum settlement funds and clear background and security and medical checks. Send us an email at info@amirismail.com or complete our online assessment form available at our website www.amirismail.com for a free, no obligation assessment of your eligibility.