What Does A Bioinformatics Scientist Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Bioinformatics Scientists

Bioinformatics Scientists conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

Salary
$89910
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Bioinformatics Scientists conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

  • Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
  • Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
  • Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
  • Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Bioinformatics Scientists create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals. They analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.

A typical day for a Bioinformatics Scientist will also include:

  • Confer with departments, such as marketing, business development, or operations, to coordinate product development or improvement.
  • Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases.
  • Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics.
  • Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
  • Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Bioinformatics Scientists also consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies. They may also create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Bioinformatics Scientists instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools. They might also keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.

In addition, they develop data models and databases.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools.

To some Bioinformatics Scientists, it is also their responsibility to develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Average

Is this job meaningful

High

69% said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they found their job meaningful.


Kimera Labs, one of the nation's top manufacturers of placental MSC (pMSC) derived exosomes.

My day usually begins the same way most office jobs start. That is by answering various emails from coworkers and clients. But after that, it gets very scientific. Kimera Labs manufactures exosomes, which are nano-scale extracellular vesicles – very small packages of signaling information one thousandth the size of a cell. They are produced by … Read More


My work life as a doctor-researcher-bioinformatician is always an adventure and rarely predictable; if there’s one thing I can say for certain, it’s that it always keeps me on my toes! I completed a joint MD/PhD degree at Harvard Medical School and MIT under a fellowship by the NIH MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program) which … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

Demand for this career is not growing.

How much do they make

Average salary

$89910 per year

Average hourly wage

$43 per hour

Entry-level Bioinformatics Scientists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $49,060 to $64,720 per year or $24 to $31 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $137,030 $66
Senior (Top 25%) $105,140 $51
Median $85,290 $41
Junior (Bottom 25%) $64,720 $31
No experience (Bottom 10%) $49,060 $24

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
19%

More than 40 hours
81%

Working schedule

84%

16%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
32%

Every day
53%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
13%

Every day
87%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
0%

Once a year
37%

Once a month
16%

Once a week
42%

Every day
5%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
6%

Moderately competitive
28%

Highly competitive
18%

Extremely competitive
48%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
12%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
88%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
86%

Once a year or more
9%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
4%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
71%

Once a year or more
29%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
80%

Once a year or more
20%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Hard
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge, and experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require graduate school and more than five years of experience. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include Pharmacists, Lawyers, Astronomers, Neurologists, and Veterinarians.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
0%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
34%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
16%

Post-Master’s Certificate
4%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
14%

Post-Doctoral Training
32%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
2%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
4%

2 to 4 years
47%

4 to 6 years
14%

6 to 8 years
15%

8 to 10 years
1%

Over 10 years
18%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
15%

1 month
36%

1 to 3 months
5%

3 to 6 months
14%

6 months to 1 year
4%

1 to 2 years
2%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
23%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Thinker

People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

The Builder
62%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
100%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
43%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
24%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
14%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
71%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
71%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
67%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
71%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
48%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
52%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
76%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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