Physiologist

A Physiologist is a scientist who studies the functions and mechanisms of living organisms, focusing on how cells, tissues, organs, and systems work together to support life. Physiologists investigate processes such as respiration, circulation, digestion, reproduction, and muscle function to understand how the body maintains homeostasis and responds to internal and external stimuli. Their research helps improve healthcare, develop medical treatments, and optimize human and animal performance in various environments.

Physiologists typically do the following:

• Study and analyze how biological systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and muscular systems, function in living organisms.
• Conduct experiments to understand how organisms adapt to different environmental conditions such as heat, cold, altitude, or physical stress.
• Research the physiological effects of diseases, injury, or genetic disorders on the body’s functions.
• Develop and test new medical treatments, interventions, or devices that can improve organ function or overall health.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to apply physiological knowledge to enhance patient care and treatment.
• Write detailed reports and publish research findings in scientific journals.
• Teach physiology courses at universities and mentor students in research projects.
• Work with athletes or military personnel to improve performance and endurance through physiological training.
• Investigate the impact of nutrition, exercise, and aging on body functions to develop strategies for promoting wellness and longevity.

The following job titles also refer to physiologist:

anatomist
anatomy researcher
physiology science researcher
physiology research scientist
physiology research analyst
anatomy research scientist
physiology analyst
anatomy scientist
anatomy science researcher
physiology researcher
physiology scientist
physiologists
anatomy analyst
anatomy research analyst

Physiologists work in diverse settings, depending on their specialization. They may work in laboratories conducting experiments on cells, tissues, or animals, using advanced scientific equipment such as microscopes, imaging devices, and analytical software. Some physiologists work in hospitals, collaborating with doctors to better understand human diseases and develop treatments. Others may work in the field, studying organisms in natural environments, or in sports facilities, advising athletes on physical performance. Physiologists often work full-time, with regular hours, although research deadlines or special projects may require additional work.

To become a Physiologist, a bachelor’s degree in physiology, biology, or a related field is required. Most positions, especially in research or academia, require a master’s degree or PhD in physiology or a related area such as biomedical science. Strong laboratory skills, including the use of scientific instruments and data analysis tools, are essential. For physiologists working in clinical or applied settings, experience in medical physiology or exercise science is valuable. Continuous education is important to stay updated with the latest advancements in physiological research and technology. Physiologists may also need to complete specific certifications depending on their area of specialization, such as clinical or exercise physiology.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Physiologist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to physiologist.

kinesiologist
immunologist
toxicologist
geneticist
biochemist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of physiologist.

• Human physiology: The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
• Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
• Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
• Human anatomy: The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
• Histology: The microscopic analysis of cells and tissues.
• Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing a hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills are necessary for the role of physiologist.

• Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
• Maintain laboratory equipment: Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
• Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
• Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
• Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
• Conduct research on fauna: Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of physiologist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Occupational physiology: The complex physiology of specific jobs and its relation to disorders and medical conditions and the way to optimize health, work ability, and productivity.
• Nuclear medicine: Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
• Exercise physiology: The effect of exercise on pathology and how the exercise can mitigate or reverse disease progression.
• Clinical cytology: The science of the formation, structure, and function of cells.
• Rehabilitation: The methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.
• Professional documentation in health care: The written standards applied in the health care professional environments for documentation purposes of one`s activity.
• Scientific modelling: Scientific activity consisting in selecting the relevant aspects of a situation and aiming to represent physical processes, empirical objects and phenomena to allow a better understanding, visualisation or quantification, and to enable simulation that shows how this particular subject would behave under given circumstances.
• Ergonomics: The science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of physiologist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
• Prepare lesson content: Prepare content to be taught in class per curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
• Assist patients with rehabilitation: Assist in developing and restoring patient`s body systems, their neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, helping them in the rehabilitation process.
• Assist in performing physical exercises: Prescribe and assist physical exercises to help increase strength and dexterity.
• Assist in clinical trials: Work with fellow scientists on clinical trials in order to improve medical methods for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating diseases.
• Perform lectures: Present lectures to various groups.
• Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
• Gather experimental data: Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
• Develop scientific research protocols: Develop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.
• Archive scientific documentation: Store documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for their research.
• Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
• Advise on rehabilitation exercises: Educate and advise on rehabilitation exercises to aid long-term recovery, teaching the appropriate techniques to ensure health is maintained.
• Conduct experiments on animals: Test medicines and other product on animals in order to discover their effects.
• Develop pharmaceutical drugs: Develop new therapeutic products according to the potential formulas, studies and indications recorded during the research process that involved also collaboration with physicians, biochemists and pharmacologists.
• Offer advice on diet-related concerns: Offer advice on dietary concerns such as overweight or elevated cholesterol levels.
• Assess environmental impact: Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation’s environmental risks while taking costs into account.
• Develop patient treatment strategies: Consult with fellow doctors and scientists in order to find the appropriate and most effective treatment for each individual patient.

2131 – Biologists, botanists, zoologists and related professionals

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References

1. Physiologist – ESCO
2. What Is a Physiologist? – Learn.org
3. What Does a Physiologist Do? | Indeed.com
4. Featured image: CC BY-SA 2.5