Career Details
Career Details
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Career Details
19-1029.02 - Molecular and Cellular Biologists
19-1029.02 - Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Key Facts

Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
36,400
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
36,200
Estimate
Change in Employment
-200.0
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-0.4%
Estimate
Tasks

Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
- Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.
- Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.
- Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
- Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.
- Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
- Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- Monitor or operate specialized equipment, such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
- Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
- Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.
- Write grant applications to obtain funding.
- Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
Supplemental
- 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.
- Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements.
- Design databases, such as mutagenesis libraries.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge

Knowledge
The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools

Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology

Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications

Licensing

Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs

Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.
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INSTITUTION
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