Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Tasks Include:
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
- Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
- Prepare reports, manuscripts, and meeting presentations.
- Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: +26.9%
National: + 6.3%
Education
Post-Doctoral Training
Job Zone:
Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Average Earnings:
National
$71,310.00
State
$76,150.00
Regional
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Description
| Career Cluster: | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
|
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Education
Required Level of Education
- Post-Doctoral Training = 40.91%
- Doctoral Degree = 27.27%
- Bachelor's Degree = 22.73%
- Master's Degree = 4.55%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 4.55%
Related Work Experience
- None = 27.27%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 22.73%
- Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 13.64%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 13.64%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 9.09%
- Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years = 4.55%
- Over 10 years = 4.55%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 4.55%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Up to and including 1 month = 31.82%
- None = 27.27%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 13.64%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 9.09%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 9.09%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 4.55%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 4.55%
On-the-Job Training
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 18.18%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 18.18%
- None or short demonstration = 18.18%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 13.64%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 13.64%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 9.09%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 4.55%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 4.55%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Conduct research on cell organization and function including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
- Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
- Prepare reports, manuscripts, and meeting presentations.
- Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
- Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
- Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
- Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
- Monitor or operate specialized equipment such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphoimagers.
- 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.
- Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.
- 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.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- 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.
- Participate in all levels of bio-product development including proposing new products, performing market analyses, designing and performing experiments, and collaborating with operations and quality control teams during product launches.
- Design databases such as mutagenesis libraries.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Tools and Technology
Tools Include:
- Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters (Automated cell counters)
- Deoxyribonucleic sequence analyzers (Automated DNA sequencing equipment)
- Automated microscope stages (Automated microscopes)
- Dry wall single chamber carbon dioxide incubators (Automatic carbon dioxide CO2 incubators)
- Plate incubators (Bacterial plate incubators)
- Centrifuge tubes
- Photo attachments for microscopes (Charge-coupled device CCD cameras)
- Fume hoods or cupboards (Chemical hoods)
- Laboratory dishes (Cloning cylinders)
- General cloning vectors (Cloning kits)
- Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes (Computerized axial tomography CAT scanners)
- Refrigerated benchtop centrifuges (Cooled benchtop centrifuges)
- Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid cDNA synthesis kits (Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA synthesizers)
- Desktop computers
- Heating or drying equipment or accessories (Dessicators)
- Stereo or dissecting light microscopes (Dissecting microscopes)
- Electrophoresis system accessories (Electrophoresis cameras)
- Eyewashers or eye wash stations (Emergency eye wash stations)
- Microbiology analyzers (Flow cytometers)
- Fluorescent microscopes (Fluorescence microscopes)
- Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters (Fluorimeters)
- Gas chromatographs (Gas chromatography equipment)
- Gel documentation systems (Gel electrophoresis equipment)
- Transilluminators (Gel imaging apparatus)
- Laboratory beakers (Glass beakers)
- Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers (Gradiant thermocyclers)
- Dry baths or heating blocks (Heat blocks)
- High pressure liquid chromatograph chromatography (High pressure liquid chromatograph HPLC equipment)
- Inverted microscopes (Inverted binocular microscopes)
- Binocular light compound microscopes (Laboratory binocular optical microscopes)
- Chemical or gas sterilizers (Laboratory chemical autoclaves)
- Floor centrifuges (Laboratory floor centrifuges)
- General purpose refrigerators or refrigerator freezers (Laboratory freezers)
- Orbital shakers (Laboratory orbital shakers)
- Pasteur or transfer pipettes (Laboratory transfer pipettes)
- Laboratory vacuum pumps
- Water baths (Laboratory water baths)
- Laminar flow cabinets or stations (Laminar flow hoods)
- Notebook computers (Laptop computers)
- Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI scanners (Magnetic resonance imaging MRI systems)
- Stirring hotplates (Magnetic stirring hot plates)
- Manual single channel positive displacement pipetters (Manual single channel positive displacement pipettes)
- Manual single channel repeating pipetters
- Mass spectrometers
- Laboratory balances (Microbalances)
- Microcentrifuges
- Microplate readers
- Electronic multichannel pipetters (Multichannel micropipettes)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance NMR spectrometers (Nuclear magnetic resonance NMR spectroscopes)
- Hybridization ovens or incubators (Nucleic acid hybridization ovens)
- Personal computers
- pH meters (pH analyzers)
- Electron guns (Phosphorimagers)
- Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers (Polymerase chain reaction PCR equipment)
- Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers (Polymerase chain reaction PCR thermocyclers)
- Robotic or automated liquid handling systems (Robotic fluidics stations)
- Protective gloves (Safety gloves)
- Scanning light or spinning disk or laser scanning microscopes (Scanning laser confocal microscopes)
- Immunology or serology test kits or supplies (Serological kits)
- Spectrophotometers
- Benchtop centrifuges (Tabletop centrifuges)
- Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers (Thermocyclers)
- Spectrophotometers (Ultraviolet-Visible UV/VIS spectrophotometers)
- Volumetric pipettes (Variable volume pipettes)
- Vortex mixers (Vortex rotators)
- Ultra pure water systems (Water purification systems)
- Tissue culture incubators (Yeast culture incubators)
Technologies Include:
- Analytical or scientific software
- AcaClone pDRAW32
- Agilent CGH Analytics
- Agilent Technologies GeneSpring GX
- Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST
- Blast Output Browser BOB
- ClustalW
- CRI-MAP
- Delila
- EnzymeX
- FASTA
- FASTLINK
- Gene Recognition and Assembly Internet Link GRAIL
- Genotyping software
- Geospiza GeneSifter
- GraphPad Software GraphPad Prism
- Laboratory information management system LIMS software
- Magma
- Mendel
- Michigan State University MSU ProFlex
- Minitab software
- NetPrimer
- PHYLIP
- Primer3 software
- RasMol
- Textco BioSoftware Gene Inspector
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Mathsoft Mathcad
- Data base user interface and query software
- Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA libraries
- Data mining software
- Data mining software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Molecular Devices Corporation MetaMorph
- Internet browser software
- Web browser software
- Office suite software
- Microsoft Office software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Special Requirements
Most biological scientists need a Ph.D. in biology or one of its subfields to work in independent research or development positions. Other positions are available to those with a master’s or bachelor’s degree in the field.
Education and training:
A Ph.D. is usually necessary for independent research, particularly in academia, as well as for advancement to administrative positions. A bachelor’s or master's degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research, product development, management, or inspection; it also may be sufficient to work as a research technician or a teacher. Many with a bachelor's degree in biology enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools, or find jobs as high school science teachers.
In addition to required courses in chemistry and biology, undergraduate biological science majors usually study allied disciplines such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science. Computer courses are beneficial for modeling and simulating biological processes, operating some laboratory equipment, and performing research in the emerging field of bioinformatics. Those interested in studying the environment also should take courses in environmental studies and become familiar with applicable legislation and regulations.
Most colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in biological science, and many offer advanced degrees. Advanced degree programs often emphasize a subfield, such as microbiology or botany, but not all universities offer curricula in all subfields. Larger universities frequently have separate departments specializing in different areas of biological science. For example, a program in botany might cover agronomy, horticulture, or plant pathology. Advanced degree programs typically include classroom and fieldwork, laboratory research, and a thesis or dissertation. A master’s degree generally takes 2 years, and a doctoral degree 5-6 years of full-time study.
Biological scientists with a Ph.D. often take temporary postdoctoral positions that provide specialized research experience. Postdoctoral positions may offer the opportunity to publish research findings. A solid record of published research is essential in obtaining a permanent position performing basic research, especially for those seeking a permanent college or university faculty position.
Other qualifications:
Biological scientists should be able to work independently or as part of a team and be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Those in private industry, especially those who aspire to management or administrative positions, should possess strong business and communication skills and be familiar with regulatory issues and marketing and management techniques. Those doing field research in remote areas must have physical stamina. Biological scientists also must have patience and self-discipline to conduct long and detailed research projects.
Advancement:
As they gain experience, biological scientists typically gain greater control over their research and may advance to become lead researchers directing a team of scientists and technicians. Some work as consultants to businesses or to government agencies. However, those dependent on research grants are still constrained by funding agencies, and may spend much of their time writing grant proposals. Others choose to move into managerial positions and become natural science managers. They may plan and administer programs for testing foods and drugs, for example, or direct activities at zoos or botanical gardens. Those who pursue management careers spend much of their time preparing budgets and schedules. Some leave biology for nontechnical managerial, administrative, or sales jobs.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Knowledge
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 98.75 | Biology | Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. |
| 83.00 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
| 82.25 | Chemistry | Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
| 69.25 | Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| 66.00 | Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| 61.25 | Education and Training | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Skills
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 90.50 | Science | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| 87.50 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
| 84.50 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
| 81.25 | Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| 78.00 | Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| 75.00 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| 75.00 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| 75.00 | 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. |
| 68.75 | Learning Strategies | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
| 68.75 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| 65.50 | Mathematics | Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| 65.50 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| 62.50 | Instructing | Teaching others how to do something. |
| 56.25 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| 56.25 | Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| 56.25 | Systems Analysis | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
| 56.25 | Systems Evaluation | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
| 50.00 | Operations Analysis | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
| 50.00 | Management of Personnel Resources | Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. |
| 50.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Abilities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 87.50 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
| 84.50 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
| 81.25 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
| 81.25 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
| 78.00 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| 75.00 | Mathematical Reasoning | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. |
| 75.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| 75.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| 72.00 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
| 68.75 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
| 68.75 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
| 68.75 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
| 68.75 | Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
| 65.50 | Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
| 62.50 | Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
| 62.50 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
| 59.50 | Number Facility | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. |
| 59.50 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
| 56.25 | Far Vision | The ability to see details at a distance. |
| 56.25 | Finger Dexterity | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
| 50.00 | Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
| 50.00 | Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
| 50.00 | Visual Color Discrimination | The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Work Activities
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 94.25 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| 92.00 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| 91.00 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| 89.75 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| 88.75 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| 88.75 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| 87.50 | Interacting With Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| 84.00 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| 81.75 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| 80.75 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| 79.50 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| 78.50 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| 75.00 | Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| 75.00 | Developing Objectives and Strategies | Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| 72.75 | Training and Teaching Others | Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| 64.75 | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates | Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
| 64.75 | Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| 63.75 | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| 59.00 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| 59.00 | Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| 58.00 | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others | Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| 58.00 | Monitoring and Controlling Resources | Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
| 56.75 | Coaching and Developing Others | Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
| 56.75 | Developing and Building Teams | Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| 52.25 | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material | Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| 51.25 | Scheduling Work and Activities | Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| 51.25 | Provide Consultation and Advice to Others | Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| 51.25 | Performing Administrative Activities | Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Work Styles
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 95.50 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
| 94.25 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
| 91.00 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
| 91.00 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
| 88.75 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
| 85.25 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
| 84.00 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
| 79.50 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
| 78.50 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
| 73.75 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
| 71.50 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. |
| 64.75 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
| 62.50 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
| 54.50 | Self Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Work Values
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 83.33 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
| 80.50 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
| 77.83 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| 77.83 | Recognition | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
| 55.50 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Work Context
| % | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 99.00 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
| 97.20 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
| 94.60 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| 94.20 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
| 90.00 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
| 87.20 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| 85.80 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| 82.00 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
| 79.00 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
| 78.20 | 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? |
| 78.00 | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? |
| 72.40 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
| 67.20 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company? |
| 67.20 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
| 67.20 | 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? |
| 67.20 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
| 64.80 | Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? |
| 64.60 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
| 61.00 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
| 58.00 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
| 58.00 | Exposed to Contaminants | How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
| 57.20 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
| 56.40 | Public Speaking | How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job? |
| 56.20 | Consequence of Error | How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? |
| 55.40 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
| 55.20 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
| 54.20 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
| 54.20 | Spend Time Standing | How much does this job require standing? |
| 50.40 | Degree of Automation | How automated is the job? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Job Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, wildlife biologists, school psychologists, surgeons, treasurers, and controllers.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Earnings Benefits
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $40,100.00 | $73,050.00 | $106,320.00 |
| Virginia | $38,640.00 | $76,150.00 | $143,520.00 |
| Region | Entry Level | Average | Experienced |
| Bay Consortium | $63,364.12 | $83,114.39 | $116,525.04 |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $38,594.91 | $61,020.46 | $78,317.53 |
| Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Greater Peninsula | $26,791.40 | $65,370.08 | $90,718.37 |
| Hampton Roads | $39,330.16 | $67,766.48 | $90,715.33 |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | $30,282.05 | $49,133.79 | $71,987.31 |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | $52,359.75 | $116,603.13 | No Data |
| Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Shenandoah Valley | $46,824.61 | $77,503.18 | $86,058.42 |
| South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Employment Projections
| National | 2010 | 2020 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 35,800 | 38,000 | + 6.3% |
| State | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Virginia | 746 | 947 | + 26.9% |
| Region | 2008 | 2018 | % Change |
| Bay Consortium | 48 | 59 | + 22.9% |
| Capital Region Workforce Partnership | 23 | 27 | + 17.4% |
| Central VA/Region2000 | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Crater Area | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Greater Peninsula | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Hampton Roads | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| New River/Mt. Rogers | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | 322 | 431 | + 33.9% |
| Piedmont Workforce | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Shenandoah Valley | 14 | 17 | + 21.4% |
| South Central | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Southwestern Virginia | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| West Piedmont | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
| Western Virginia | 0 | 0 | + 0.0% |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
View Videos
The following videos are available for this occupation:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (4.20 Mb)
Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Military Training
The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:
- Clinical Laboratory
- Nuclear Medical Science
- Physiology
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Titles
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Biology Professor
- Cell Biologist
- Cellular Biologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Molecular Biology Professor
- Professor
- Structural Biologist
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
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