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Pilot Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arcadia Science

Innovation Fellow

Emeryville, CA

$8.0K - $12K/mo

Our Pilots advance this work by rapidly testing new ways to measure, model, and interpret biology. What works becomes reusable tools for the rest of Arcadia and beyond. Pilots drive the adoption of ...

Arcadia Science

Innovation Fellow

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$8.0K - $12K/mo

Our Pilots advance this work by rapidly testing new ways to measure, model, and interpret biology. What works becomes reusable tools for the rest of Arcadia and beyond. Pilots drive the adoption of ...

Arcadia Science

Innovation Fellow

Emeryville, CA

$8.0K - $12K/mo

Our Pilots advance this work by rapidly testing new ways to measure, model, and interpret biology. What works becomes reusable tools for the rest of Arcadia and beyond. Pilots drive the adoption of ...

Hollingsworth ＆ Vose

Advanced Technician

Floyd, VA · On-site

$30K - $31K/yr

Participates in the development of new biological test methods and spreadsheets * Assists with machine trials, monitoring checkpoints and collecting samples and data. * Assists with pilot trials for ...

Artech Information System LLC

Bench Scientist

Sanford, NC · On-site

$31 - $38.75/hr

... biologics. Execution of lab or pilot-scale purifications using column chromatography, Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), and/or Normal Flow Filtration (NFF), as needed. Preparation of equipment ...

5TH HQ LLC

Formulator Assistant

Fort Lauderdale, FL · On-site

$25/hr

This role is ideal for someone with a background in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or a related ... Draft formulations for quotes, lab batches, pilots, and testing during product development.

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Pilot Biologist information

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$37K

$89.4K

$138K

How much do pilot biologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for pilot biologist in the United States is $89,403.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,500.00 and $121,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pilot Biologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pilot Biologist, you need a strong background in biology or wildlife sciences, a commercial pilot’s license, and experience with field research techniques. Familiarity with GIS mapping software, data collection tools, and specialized aircraft instrumentation is commonly required. Excellent observational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for safely conducting aerial surveys, accurately gathering ecological data, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams for environmental research.

What biology jobs pay over $100k?

Pilot biologists typically do not earn over $100,000 annually; however, senior roles in biological research, biotechnology, or environmental consulting can exceed this salary level, especially with advanced degrees and specialized skills. Positions such as biomedical directors, research scientists, or biotech executives often have salaries over $100,000, particularly in leadership or highly specialized roles requiring extensive experience and certifications.

What is the highest paying job for a pilot?

The highest paying jobs for pilots are typically airline captains, especially those working for major commercial airlines, with salaries often exceeding $200,000 annually. Factors such as experience, type of aircraft, and airline size influence compensation, and additional certifications like type ratings can enhance earning potential.

How do Pilot Biologists typically balance flying responsibilities with biological data collection and analysis?

Pilot Biologists often split their time between piloting aircraft for aerial surveys and conducting biological research, such as wildlife monitoring or habitat assessments. This dual responsibility requires strong time-management skills and the ability to transition between field operations and scientific work. Collaborating closely with other biologists, technicians, and sometimes government agencies is common to ensure accurate data collection and safety during flights. The role can be demanding, especially during peak fieldwork seasons, but offers unique opportunities for both scientific contribution and aviation experience.

What is the difference between Pilot Biologist vs Marine Biologist?

AspectPilot BiologistMarine Biologist
Required CredentialsBiology degree, pilot license, specialized trainingBiology degree, research experience, often a marine science certification
Work EnvironmentAircraft, remote field sites, marine environmentsLaboratories, research vessels, coastal and open ocean
Employer & IndustryEnvironmental agencies, research organizations, governmentUniversities, research institutes, conservation groups

While both Pilot Biologists and Marine Biologists work in marine environments, Pilot Biologists combine biological expertise with piloting skills to conduct surveys and research from aircraft or boats. Marine Biologists focus primarily on studying marine organisms and ecosystems. The roles overlap in fieldwork and environmental monitoring, but Pilot Biologists uniquely operate aircraft or vessels to access remote or large areas efficiently.

How much do Alaskan bush pilots make?

Alaskan bush pilots typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, the complexity of flights, and the employer. Many pilots in this role also receive benefits such as housing or per diem allowances due to remote work environments.

What does a pilot biologist do?

A pilot biologist conducts preliminary or exploratory research to assess environmental conditions, often using small-scale studies or field surveys. They may operate specialized equipment, collect biological samples, and analyze data to inform larger research projects or environmental management decisions.

What are pilot biologists?

Pilot biologists are professionals who combine aviation skills with biological expertise to conduct aerial surveys, wildlife monitoring, and environmental research. They often fly aircraft to observe, track, and collect data on animal populations, habitats, or ecological changes. Their work supports conservation efforts, wildlife management, and scientific studies, often in collaboration with government agencies or research organizations. Pilot biologists must be licensed pilots and have a background in biology or a related field to effectively perform their duties.
More about Pilot Biologist jobs
What cities are hiring for Pilot Biologist jobs? Cities with the most Pilot Biologist job openings:
What states have the most Pilot Biologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Pilot Biologist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Pilot Biologist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Pilot Biologist jobs are:
Pilot Biologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pilot Biologist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 77% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,403 per year, or $43 per hour.
Innovation Fellow

Innovation Fellow

Arcadia Science

Emeryville, CA

$8.0K - $12K/mo

Other

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

A Bit About Us

We are Arcadia Science, an evolutionary biology company founded and led by scientists. Our mission is to turn natural innovations into real-world solutions by developing systematic and quantitative approaches to leveraging biology for therapeutics R&D. We share our research as openly as possible to accelerate discovery and make our work broadly useful.

The Opportunity

We're closing the gap between biological data and biological understanding. Our Pilots advance this work by rapidly testing new ways to measure, model, and interpret biology. What works becomes reusable tools for the rest of Arcadia and beyond. Pilots drive the adoption of new technology and research topics within Arcadia and may also be a source of IP, licensing, and spin-outs. Read more about our work through ourpublications.

We are seeking an Innovation Fellow to join our Pilots team for a 3-month fellowship. This is an ideal opportunity for scientists who are in the final stages of their PhD or postdoc training and want to experience doing fast-paced, high-risk research in an industry setting.

Innovation Fellows will prototype tools or devise novel approaches for efficient scientific inquiry, using strategically chosen biological questions as a test bed. Fellows will scope pilot projects with clear decision points, with the goal of publishing their work openly by the end of the fellowship.

Areas of Focus

The two most important qualities we're looking for are generativity (the ability to identify and develop new research projects) and strong scientific strategy to align your work with Arcadia's goals and efficiently de-risk ambitious research directions. Beyond that, we're looking for candidates with skills that span computational and experimental biology. This may include:

- Tool and technology development for biological research
- Independent experimental design and execution
- Data analysis pipeline development
- Novel assay development or adaptation
- Integrating computational predictions with experimental validation
- Working across diverse organisms and cell types
What You'll Do
  • Execute a defined pilot project in coordination with current team members
  • Familiarize yourself with internal platform capabilities
  • Identify key risks early and optimize for "failing fast" so that promising directions can be pursued and dead ends abandoned quickly
  • Establish and track go/no-go decision points for your project
  • Collaborate with Arcadia's technically diverse team
  • Keep detailed experimental records and documentation for all workflows
  • Contribute to collaborative ideation around new pilots
  • Publish results openly and share data, code, protocols, and methods by the end of the fellowship
Qualifications
  • PhD in life sciences, bioengineering, or a related field (3+ years post-PhD experience preferred)
  • Hands-on experience in wet lab work and computational analysis
  • Strong programming skills (Python and/or R required; familiarity with bash and version control)
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams
  • Strong writing skills, verbal communication skills, and comfort with rapid iteration
  • Experience troubleshooting experimental or computational challenges
$8,000 - $12,000 a month
Fellows will receive a competitive monthly stipend. Travel and relocation support is available for candidates relocating temporarily to the Bay Area.
What We Look For

The first thing we look for is technical talent at the leading edge of a field. To us, this means independent and generative scientists doing basic research that has the potential to produce evidence challenging standard practices. This is true for all of our roles: whether someone is an individual contributor or a people manager, we want researchers pushing their field forward.

More tactically, we are looking for people who are quick to act and can articulate themselves clearly through writing. Our team is flexible and often needs to pivot to match the pace of development at the cutting edge of multiple fields. Bias to action is key. Writing independently is crucial since we share everything we think is valuable to the community and will help us move our research forward.

We try to develop novel approaches for every aspect of our science, and everyone on our team is expected to innovate in their domain. This is not easy, and won't be for everyone. We believe a culture where this is possible stems from how we act. 

Location

This fellowship is on-site at our Emeryville, California lab and office for the full 3-month duration. For qualified candidates, we are willing and able to sponsor visas and provide a travel/relocation stipend if needed.

Application Process

Interested applicants should apply using the link below. We expect to review applications at a monthly cadence.

Due to anticipated volume, we may not be able to respond to all applicants. If you advance beyond initial review, we will let you know.
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