Molecular and Cell Biologists as Career Option
If you've enjoyed studying biology science at school, there are plenty of ways you can take your interest forward into a career. As a Molecular and Cellular Biologists, you will have the exciting opportunity to tackle questions at the forefront of the field in the areas of membrane trafficking, the cell cycle, nuclear organization, cellular motility and signaling, in systems as diverse as cultured cells, mice, Drosophila and yeast. With a major in Molecular and Cellular Biology, you will generate a broad range of knowledge that will open up a world of opportunity and career paths in this exciting time of research and technology.
Role of Molecular and Cell Biologists
- 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.
- 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.
- Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
- Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
- 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.
- Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure they are operating 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.
Skills Required to be Molecular and Cell Biologists
- Knowledge Skills- Keen interest and knowledge of in Biology, Mathematics and Chemistry.
- Active Learning-Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Critical Thinking-Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.