Occupations · Life, Physical, and Social Science

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 19-1029.02

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
Write grant applications to obtain funding.
Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.
Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Science4.8

Reading Comprehension4.4

Writing4.2

Critical Thinking4.1

Active Listening4.0

Speaking4.0

Active Learning3.9

Learning Strategies3.9

Mathematics3.8

Monitoring3.8

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Illustrator●C++●Git●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●Python●R●The MathWorks MATLAB●AcaClone pDRAW32Agilent CGH AnalyticsAgilent Technologies GeneSpring GXBasic Local Alignment Search Tool BLASTBlast Output Browser BOBCRI-MAPClustalWCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDelilaDeoxyribonucleic acid DNA librariesEnzymeXFASTAFASTLINKGene Recognition and Assembly Internet Link GRAILGenotyping softwareGeospiza GeneSifter

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

5 / 5Extensive preparation — graduate school, and often a licence on top.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+1.8 above average

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General−1.2 below average

Exposed to Disease or Infections+1.2 above average

Frequency of Decision Making−1.2 below average

Level of Competition+1.1 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions−1.0 below average

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions+1.0 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2021-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Post-Doctoral Training35%

Bachelor's Degree35%

Doctoral Degree23%

Master's Degree8%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2021-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative6.7

Conventional5.1

Realistic5.0

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
Write grant applications to obtain funding.

O*NET 25.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Judgment and Decision Making4.0

Complex Problem Solving4.0

Instructing3.8

Social Perceptiveness3.2

Persuasion3.1

Time Management3.1

Operations Analysis3.1

Coordination3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

BiologyEnglish LanguageChemistryMathematicsEducation and TrainingComputers and Electronics

Abilities it leans on

Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionCategory Flexibility

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

BiologistScientistResearcherCell BiologistNeurophysiologistResearch AssociateResearch ScientistCellular BiologistBiology ResearcherElectrophysiologistMolecular BiologistResearch TechnicianStructural BiologistMolecular Technologist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 3 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 10

+Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite+Adobe Illustrator+Microsoft Access+R+C+++Microsoft PowerPoint+Corel WordPerfect Office Suite+Magma Design Automation software+Git+Python

No longer listed 2

−Magma−Data mining software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

ProfessorBiologistScientistResearcherCell BiologistBiology ProfessorNeurophysiologistResearch AssociateCellular BiologistResearch ScientistBiology ResearcherAssociate Professor

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
biochemist	2131.4.2	close
microbiologist	2131.4.9	close
biophysicist	2131.4.4	close
bioinformatics scientist	2131.3	close
biologist	2131.4	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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