Occupations/19-1029.02
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Usually a graduate or professional degree.
AI automation risk
43%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
60%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
55%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- Task
Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- Task
Write grant applications to obtain funding.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
- 02Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
- 03Write grant applications to obtain funding.
- 04Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
- 05Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
- 06Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.04
- Degree of automation2.12
- Time sitting3.54
- Originality (ability)3.75
- Conflict situations2.27
- Hands-on objects/tools3.35
- Outdoors / weather1.27
- Disease exposure3.04
- Decision freedom3.92
Top abilities
- Written Comprehension4.62
- Oral Comprehension4.25
- Written Expression4.12
- Oral Expression4.12
- Inductive Reasoning4.12
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Category Flexibility4.00
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.38
- Active Listening4.00
- Writing4.25
- Speaking4.00
- Mathematics3.75
- Science4.75
- Critical Thinking4.12
- Active Learning3.88
- Learning Strategies3.88
- Monitoring3.75
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 84 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $4,700 | 100% | 34% | 1 yr $167,417 2 yr $171,020 Master's · CIP 26.01 |
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $4,600 | 100% | 27% | 1 yr $85,434 2 yr — Doctoral · CIP 26.01 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $60,100 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $66,915 2 yr $73,446 Doctoral · CIP 26.01 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $64,493 2 yr — Master's · CIP 26.01 |
Emory University Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $60,800 | 11% | 91% | 1 yr $61,814 2 yr $60,771 Doctoral · CIP 26.01 |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $15,200 | 57% | 86% | 1 yr $58,673 2 yr $50,856 Master's · CIP 26.01 |
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $14,800 | 11% | 93% | 1 yr $57,318 2 yr — Master's · CIP 26.01 |
Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $10,000 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $53,984 2 yr — Doctoral · CIP 26.01 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $51,160 2 yr $25,194 Bachelor's · CIP 26.01 |
New York University New York, NY · Private nonprofit | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $60,400 | 12% | 88% | 1 yr $50,856 2 yr $44,021 Master's · CIP 26.01 |
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $15,200 | 24% | 87% | 1 yr $49,019 2 yr — Doctoral · CIP 26.01 |
South Dakota State University Brookings, SD · Public | Biology/Biological Sciences, General 26.0101 | $9,600 | 99% | 66% | 1 yr $46,087 2 yr — Master's · CIP 26.01 |