ALBANY — Maybe he was studying the barfly.

Over the past three years, a state biologist spent hours drinking at Albany-area bars at times when he should have been working, costing taxpayers as much as $35,823, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli charged yesterday.

Christopher Keim, 43, surrendered to State Police yesterday and was arraigned in Albany City Court on grand-larceny charges.

DiNapoli’s office said it has obtained Keim’s bar tabs, confirming the dates, times and nature of his purchases.