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Molecular and Cellular Biologist

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What is a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?

Position Description Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

Molecular and Cellular Biologist Responsibilities

  • Monitor or operate specialized equipment such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
  • Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
  • Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
  • Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.
  • 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.
  • Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.

Molecular and Cellular Biologist Skills

Molecular and Cellular Biologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

  • Biologist
  • Cell Biology Scientist
  • Cell Biologist
  • Molecular Biology Director
  • Molecular Biology Scientist

Is There Going to be Demand for Molecular and Cellular Biologists?

In the United States, there were 38,700 jobs for Molecular and Cellular Biologist in 2016. 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.

Do Molecular and Cellular Biologists Make A Lot Of Money?

Molecular and Cellular Biologists make between $45,030 and $126,390 a year.

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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 each U.S. state?

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Molecular and Cellular Biologists may use on a daily basis:

  • 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

What education is needed to be a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?

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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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Molecular and Cellular Biologists work in the following industries:

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Molecular and Cellular Biologist might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as a Molecular and Cellular Biologist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Janderk via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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