Molecular Biologist
Molecular Biologist
Molecular biologists examine plant, animal or human genetics and the variation and relationships between them. Molecular biologists can work with DNA and RNA from humans, plants, animals and other organisms while using their knowledge of chemistry, physiology, genetics, physics and biology in their work.
What Responsibilities Will I Have?:
- Develop new methods to diagnose and treat diseases
- Detect and identify environmental pollutants
- Serve as a scientific advisor for business, government or education
- Look at genetic variations to determine how things are passed
- Genetically engineer new crops
- Conduct continued testing of new crops or other products
- Test the effectiveness of drugs used for treating diseases and gene growth
- Examine the sequence of DNA
- Supervise and direct the work of laboratory technicians
- Report findings through writing or presentations
- Compile data on research conducted
- Grow bacteria in order to determine product effectiveness
- Design and execute experiments
- Translate research into technologies that consumers can use or benefit from
- Extract DNA and RNA from cells and tissues
Recommended High School Courses:
The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, a focus on sciences such as chemistry, biology and physics, and mathematics.
Education/Training Required:
A bachelor’s degree in a life science with a concentration in molecular biology will allow you to obtain some roles. However, a master’s or doctorate degree will be required for the majority of the opportunities.
Future Job Market Outlook:
Typical Employers:
Molecular biologists typically work in a laboratory and may be employed by the government, hospitals, universities, research firms or pharmaceutical companies.
Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- American Society for Cell Biology
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
- RNA Society
- Biophysical Society
Average Annual Full-Time Salary:
$77,000
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Salary data is provided by the AgCareers.com Compensation Benchmark Review™.
These salaries should be considered as examples and are provided for educational and exploratory purposes.
The salary information provided should not be used as a benchmark. Actual salaries are influenced by numerous
variables including but not limited to demographics, size and scope of the role, level of experience,
qualifications, and education of the worker.
