19-1029.02

Molecular & Cellular Biologists

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

Career Cluster:Healthcare & Human Services
Job Family:Life, Physical, and Social Science
Job Zone:Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
STEM:Research, Development, Design, and Practitioners
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Technology Tools

Adobe IllustratorC++GitMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointRMicrosoft WordPythonThe MathWorks MATLAB

Key Tasks

  • Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
  • Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
  • Write grant applications to obtain funding.
  • Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
  • Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
  • Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
  • Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
  • Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
  • Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
  • Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
  • 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.
  • Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.
  • Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
  • Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
  • Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.
  • Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.
  • 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.
  • Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.
  • 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.

Skills

Science
94%
Reading Comprehension
85%
Writing
81%
Critical Thinking
78%
Speaking
75%
Active Listening
75%
Complex Problem Solving
75%
Judgment and Decision Making
75%
Active Learning
72%
Learning Strategies
72%
Instructing
69%
Mathematics
69%
Monitoring
69%
Social Perceptiveness
56%
Coordination
53%
Operations Analysis
53%
Persuasion
53%
Time Management
53%
Systems Analysis
50%
Management of Personnel Resources
50%
Negotiation
50%
Systems Evaluation
50%
Management of Material Resources
47%
Operations Monitoring
47%
Quality Control Analysis
47%
Operation and Control
41%
Management of Financial Resources
41%
Service Orientation
41%
Programming
28%
Troubleshooting
25%
Technology Design
25%
Equipment Selection
22%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Biology
95%
English Language
86%
Chemistry
78%
Mathematics
70%
Education and Training
65%
Computers and Electronics
60%
Medicine and Dentistry
52%
Administration and Management
45%
Communications and Media
44%
Administrative
43%
Physics
41%
Personnel and Human Resources
40%
Public Safety and Security
38%
Engineering and Technology
35%
Mechanical
32%
Design
31%
Psychology
27%
Economics and Accounting
27%
Production and Processing
25%
Law and Government
24%
Telecommunications
24%
Sociology and Anthropology
19%
Philosophy and Theology
17%
Foreign Language
16%
Therapy and Counseling
16%
Customer and Personal Service
15%
Sales and Marketing
15%
History and Archeology
12%
Geography
11%
Fine Arts
10%
Building and Construction
9%
Transportation
7%
Food Production
6%

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Abilities

Written Comprehension
91%
Oral Comprehension
81%
Oral Expression
78%
Inductive Reasoning
78%
Written Expression
78%
Deductive Reasoning
75%
Problem Sensitivity
75%
Category Flexibility
75%
Near Vision
72%
Fluency of Ideas
72%
Mathematical Reasoning
72%
Speech Clarity
72%
Information Ordering
72%
Originality
69%
Speech Recognition
66%
Number Facility
63%
Selective Attention
56%
Flexibility of Closure
56%
Far Vision
53%
Speed of Closure
50%
Visual Color Discrimination
50%
Perceptual Speed
50%
Visualization
47%
Finger Dexterity
47%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
44%
Time Sharing
41%
Memorization
41%
Control Precision
35%
Depth Perception
28%
Trunk Strength
28%
Auditory Attention
25%
Hearing Sensitivity
25%
Reaction Time
25%
Extent Flexibility
25%
Multilimb Coordination
25%
Wrist-Finger Speed
25%
Rate Control
25%
Manual Dexterity
25%
Static Strength
22%
Response Orientation
16%
Explosive Strength
10%
Dynamic Strength
10%
Stamina
3%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Sound Localization
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Night Vision
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Gross Body Equilibrium
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Gross Body Coordination
0%

Work Activities

Analyzing Data or Information
88%
Documenting/Recording Information
88%
Getting Information
88%
Processing Information
85%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
85%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
84%
Working with Computers
84%
Thinking Creatively
82%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
82%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
80%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
77%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
73%
Training and Teaching Others
73%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
70%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
68%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
68%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
66%
Coaching and Developing Others
65%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
65%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
64%
Scheduling Work and Activities
64%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
62%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
62%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
60%
Developing and Building Teams
57%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
56%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
55%
Performing Administrative Activities
51%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
49%
Controlling Machines and Processes
49%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
44%
Handling and Moving Objects
41%
Staffing Organizational Units
41%
Assisting and Caring for Others
40%
Performing General Physical Activities
35%
Selling or Influencing Others
28%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
27%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
27%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
26%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
25%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
16%

Work Context

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

96%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

94%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

92%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

91%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

84%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

79%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

78%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

77%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

76%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

73%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

72%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

67%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

64%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

61%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

59%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

59%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

58%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

53%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

51%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

51%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

51%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

50%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

49%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

49%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

48%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

47%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

46%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

44%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

40%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

38%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

37%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

36%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

32%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

29%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

28%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

27%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

27%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

22%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

21%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

18%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

16%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

16%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

15%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

13%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

12%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

12%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

10%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

7%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

7%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

7%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

7%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

4%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

4%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

3%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

3%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

2%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

1%

Education

Bachelor's degree

35%

Post-doctoral training

35%

Doctoral degree

23%

Interests

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

95

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

67

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

66

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

22

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

21

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

18

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
100%
Intellectual Curiosity
100%
Dependability
86%
Innovation
79%
Cautiousness
76%
Achievement Orientation
71%
Integrity
70%
Perseverance
66%
Adaptability
65%
Initiative
58%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
54%
Leadership Orientation
53%
Stress Tolerance
50%
Self-Confidence
49%
Cooperation
39%
Self-Control
32%
Sincerity
25%
Humility
24%
Social Orientation
22%
Optimism
20%
Empathy
5%

Work Values

Independence
83%
Working Conditions
81%
Achievement
78%
Recognition
78%
Support
56%
Relationships
33%

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