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Molecular and Cellular Biologist

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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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?

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Molecular and Cellular Biologists Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Molecular and Cellular Biologists employed by various industries.

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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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