Career Overview
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Also Known As
- Molecular Biologist
- Research Scientist
Alternate Job Titles
- Biologist
- Biology Researcher
- Cell Biologist
- Cell Biology Scientist
- Cellular Biologist
- DNA Sequencing Associate
- Electrophysiologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Molecular Biology Researcher
- Molecular Biology Scientist
- Molecular Biology Specialist
- Molecular Research Biologist
- Molecular Research Scientist
- Molecular Technologist
- Neurophysiologist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Write grant applications to obtain funding.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Biology
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Mathematical Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Innovation
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Illustrator
- C++
- Git
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Python
- R
Tools & Equipment
- Automated cell counters
- Automated DNA sequencing equipment
- Automated microscopes
- Automatic carbon dioxide CO2 incubators
- Bacterial plate incubators
- Centrifuge tubes
- Charge-coupled device CCD cameras
- Chemical hoods
- Cloning cylinders
- Cloning kits
- Computerized axial tomography CAT scanners
- Cooled benchtop centrifuges
- Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA synthesizers
- Desktop computers
- Dessicators
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Biological Scientists, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Molecular and Cellular Biologists.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $54,500 |
| Median | $93,330 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $159,780 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 59,710
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $103,650
Geneticists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $93,330
Bioinformatics Scientists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $93,330
Biologists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $93,330
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $106,950
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.