Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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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.
Table of contents
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.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
69% said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they found their job meaningful.
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
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On The Job Training
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Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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