What Does it Take to Be a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?
Example of Molecular and Cellular Biologist Job Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Life As a Molecular and Cellular Biologist
- Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- 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.
- Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
- Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
Molecular and Cellular Biologist Required Skills
When polled, Molecular and Cellular Biologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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:
- DNA Sequencing Associate
- Cellular Biologist
- Cell Biology Scientist
- Laboratory Technician
- Life Science Research Assistant
Is There Going to be Demand 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. There will be an estimated 3,700 positions for Molecular and Cellular Biologist per 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.
Molecular and Cellular Biologist Salary
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.
How much do Molecular and Cellular Biologists make 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
Becoming a Molecular and Cellular Biologist
Education needed to be a Molecular and Cellular Biologist:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Molecular and Cellular Biologists Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Molecular and Cellular Biologist may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Molecular and Cellular Biologist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Janderk via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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