An evolutionary biologist studies the patterns of ancestry and descent among species in the tree of life on Earth. He is interested in the origin, extinction, diversity, and evolution of species over time. An evolutionary biologist applies a variety of scientific techniques to figure out how organisms descended from a common ancestor.
Evolution has traditionally been studied at the organismal level by evolutionary biologists. This big-picture approach focuses on big changes in species over time and space. Changes over time can be seen in the study of ancestry and descent in the fossil record. The variation among finches in the Galapagos Islands, which was noticed and popularized by Charles Darwin, is perhaps the most famous example of changes across space.
Evolutionary biologists began studying small-scale evolution during a revolution in molecular biology and genetics. In the laboratory, an evolutionary biologist can now track changes in genetics from one generation to the next. A biologist can observe the processes of small-scale evolution in the laboratory using test subjects with short lifespans, such as fruit flies or bacteria.
Interdisciplinary research is a feature of both small-scale and large-scale evolutionary biology. An evolutionary biologist typically focuses on one field but may also study organismal biology, molecular biology, genetics, or developmental biology. Geology, anthropology, and computer science are all relevant fields. The study of evolutionary biology can take place in a laboratory, in the field, or in a combination of both.
As of 2011, evolutionary biology was a maturing field of study, but many fundamental and exciting questions remained unanswered. Evolutionary biologists, for example, have tried to figure out how large-scale and small-scale evolutionary processes interact. They’ve been trying to figure out how and when genetic changes happen and lead to successful adaptation. Paleobiologists have used the fossil record to try to piece together the timeline of species origins and extinctions. From natural selection to sexual selection, random genetic drift to environmental catastrophe, evolutionary theorists have tried to figure out what forces and drives evolution.
The majority of evolutionary biologists work in academia, at a college or university. As a result, their day-to-day work is a mix of research and teaching. Some evolutionary biologists work in industry, while others work for private or public research institutes. Many people who have a basic academic background in evolutionary biology go on to work in related fields such as science writing, education, or conservation.