What Do Molecular and Cellular Biologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Molecular and Cellular Biologists research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization. They also maintain accurate laboratory records and data.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
• Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
• Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.

We asked Molecular and Cellular Biologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Molecular and Cellular Biologists design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results. They supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.

A typical day for a Molecular and Cellular Biologist will also include:

• Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
• Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
• Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
• Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.

We asked some Molecular and Cellular Biologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	33% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	24% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	71% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	19% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Molecular and Cellular Biologists also compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary. They may also evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Molecular and Cellular Biologists Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields. They might also Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.

In addition, they Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare reports, manuscripts, and meeting presentations.

To some Molecular and Cellular Biologists, it is also their responsibility to Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Molecular and Cellular Biologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends 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 work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/microbiologists.htm

http://www.asm.org/

http://www.simbhq.org/

http://ascb.org/