Life As a Molecular and Cellular Biologist
Job Description & Duties Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
List of Molecular and Cellular Biologist Job Duties
- Participate in all levels of bioproduct development, including proposing new products, performing market analyses, designing and performing experiments, and collaborating with operations and quality control teams during product launches.
- Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.
- Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.
- Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
- Monitor or operate specialized equipment such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
- Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements.
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Qualities of a Molecular and Cellular Biologist
Below is a list of the skills most Molecular and Cellular Biologists say are important on the job.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Molecular Biologist
- Laboratory Technician
- Cell Biology Scientist
- Life Science Research Assistant
- Purification Scientist
Are There Job Opportunities for Molecular and Cellular Biologists?
There were about 38,700 jobs for Molecular and Cellular Biologist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,100 new jobs for Molecular and Cellular Biologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Molecular and Cellular Biologist are Nevada, Utah, and Ohio. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, South Dakota, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Molecular and Cellular Biologist Make?
The typical yearly salary for Molecular and Cellular Biologists is somewhere between $45,030 and $126,390.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists who work in Maryland, Rhode Island, or Delaware, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Molecular and Cellular Biologists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $67,200 |
| Alaska | $77,430 |
| Arizona | $83,680 |
| Arkansas | $74,380 |
| California | $91,340 |
| Colorado | $71,380 |
| Connecticut | $93,180 |
| Delaware | $91,760 |
| District of Columbia | $104,460 |
| Florida | $71,200 |
| Georgia | $72,460 |
| Hawaii | $79,760 |
| Idaho | $70,770 |
| Illinois | $84,180 |
| Indiana | $69,180 |
| Iowa | $62,320 |
| Kansas | $64,560 |
| Kentucky | $64,780 |
| Louisiana | $66,100 |
| Maine | $76,840 |
| Maryland | $103,790 |
| Massachusetts | $84,790 |
| Michigan | $75,110 |
| Minnesota | $73,770 |
| Mississippi | $80,690 |
| Missouri | $67,290 |
| Montana | $66,110 |
| Nebraska | $74,790 |
| Nevada | $73,490 |
| New Hampshire | $78,780 |
| New Jersey | $76,330 |
| New Mexico | $73,610 |
| New York | $89,000 |
| North Carolina | $83,380 |
| North Dakota | $70,590 |
| Ohio | $67,780 |
| Oklahoma | $64,200 |
| Oregon | $69,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,550 |
| Rhode Island | $89,210 |
| South Carolina | $78,370 |
| South Dakota | $65,660 |
| Tennessee | $67,690 |
| Texas | $80,900 |
| Utah | $74,290 |
| Vermont | $78,070 |
| Virginia | $93,750 |
| Washington | $85,200 |
| West Virginia | $70,060 |
| Wisconsin | $73,520 |
| Wyoming | $71,030 |
What Tools do Molecular and Cellular Biologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Molecular and Cellular Biologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Minitab
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Mathsoft Mathcad
- Laboratory information management system LIMS
- Data mining software
- Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST
- ClustalW
- PHYLIP
- GraphPad Software GraphPad Prism
- Primer3
- Mendel
- Molecular Devices Corporation MetaMorph
- FASTA
- Textco BioSoftware Gene Inspector
- EnzymeX
How do I Become a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?
Are there Molecular and Cellular Biologists education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?
Molecular and Cellular Biologists Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Molecular and Cellular Biologists employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Molecular and Cellular Biologist may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Molecular and Cellular Biologist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Janderk via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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