According to The Strong Interest Inventory® Assessment, Molecular and Cell Biologists fall into the Realistic Theme Code Category. This assessment has been used since its release in 1927 to measure individuals’ various preferences and interests and use them to identify careers that they will find both interesting and enjoyable. Careers in the Realistic Theme Code Category tend to involve working with tools and using specific skills or expertise to accomplish very specific end goals. People who tend to prefer The Strong Interest Inventory® Realistic Careers also tend to enjoy working with their hands and having defined problems to solve, rather than complex or abstract tasks.
Discover the Strong Interest Inventory® career as a Molecular and Cell Biologist. Learn about this career in this data rich write-up including information such as income, daily tasks, required education and more.
Molecular and Cell Biologists research and study cellular molecules and organelles to increase the understanding of how cells are organized and how they function. Many Molecular and Cell Biologists are professors or university-affiliated, so much of their responsibility includes managing undergraduate and graduate students, instructing them in cell biology, and managing a research lab. They also supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows in performing laboratory procedures, including DNA sequencing, cloning, and extraction, RNA purification, and gel electrophoresis. They not only maintain accurate laboratory records and data, but also design experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results and data. They adjust experimental designs in order to yield more significant results or slightly different findings. After data analysis, Biologists compile their data to prepare reports, manuscripts, and presentations for grant committees, students, faculty, and conferences.
In addition to the operations of the lab itself, Molecular and Cell Biologists are responsible for coordinating with other research scientists in conducting joint projects, as well as evaluating new technologies that enhance or complement current research. In addition, they coordinate with scientists in other fields, and verify the financial, physical, and human resources assigned to different development projects. Funding can be very limited, so ensuring that funds are allocated appropriately is of the utmost importance.
Most biological laboratories use a wide range of tools and technologies. These may include centrifuges and tubes, compound microscopes, sterilizers, DNA synthesizers, RNA and DNA sequencing equipment, heating blocks, electron guns, electrophoresis system accessories, eye washers, fume hoods, and cloning kits. Furthermore, equipment cleaners, and heating and drying equipment are necessary for ensuring that the area is kept sanitary at all times. Additionally, standard chemistry equipment, including microbalances, beakers, laboratory petri dishes, serology kits, incubators, mass spectrometers, pipettes, hotplates, pH meters, and automatic cell counters enable basic procedures to be completed quickly and accurately. More sophisticated and automated equipment, such as automated liquid handling or rapid amplification or complementary DNA ends RACE technology products, like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment, may vary from lab to lab. In addition to these tools, specialized analytical scientific software, like TextCo, MasMol, NetPrimer, and others are highly important, as are Mathsoft Mathcad, datamining software, imaging software, and more.
Most Cell and Molecular Biologists hold graduate degrees, at least a Master’s Degree if not a Ph.D. or M.D. This level of education is essential for Biologists to gain the depth and breadth of knowledge of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and the computing that they need to be successful researchers and professors. In addition, they should be confident communicators in English, both in literacy and oral skills and it is necessary to have an attention to detail and the ability to think critically about highly complex problems and processes. Systems analysis and evaluation (determining how a system works and how it can be improved) as well as the ability to effectively and efficiently allocate resources are both vital as well.
The nationwide average for Molecular and Cell Biologist’s salary ranges from $40,000 for new hires to $112,000 for the most experienced professionals, though there is some variation by state. For instance, the best paid Biologists in California may earn nearly $120,000 annually, while their counterparts in Texas and New York may earn closer to $90,000. The average salary for Biologists in New York is $77,000, while in Texas it is closer to $66,000. However, national employment of Molecular and Cell Biologists is projected to fall 0.4% before 2024. The greatest increases are projected in California and Kentucky.
Below are some employment trends for Molecular and Cell Biologists:
- Median Salary: $39.53 hourly, $82,220 annually
- Employment: 47,100 employees
- Projected growth (2018-2028): Average (4% to 6%)
- Projected job openings (2018-2028): 4,700
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Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong College Edition Profile
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You’ll start college off right with knowledge on applying your interests and preferences to college majors and receive a detailed depiction of how your ideal career will mature if you work toward success. With the Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report and the Strong College Edition Profile, you’ll set yourself up for success throughout college and into your career after graduation.
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Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong Profile
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With the information obtained about yourself from your MBTI® personality type and your Strong Interest Inventory® Report, you’ll learn about how your personality, as well as your interests and preferences, can be used in your life and career to provide fulfillment and happiness. Discover occupations that work with what you like and enjoy, and learn how your personality influences your mental processes and preferences.
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Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong College Edition Profile
Choose a college major that works best with your interests, and then plan a rewarding career to follow your college career.
You’ll start college off right with knowledge on applying your interests and preferences to college majors and receive a detailed depiction of how your ideal career will mature if you work toward success. With the Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report and the Strong College Edition Profile, you’ll set yourself up for success throughout college and into your career after graduation.
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Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report
Delve deeper into what your interests, hobbies, favorite topics, and locations can mean for your career and personal life with the help of this extensive and personalized Strong profile.
Your Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report starts with the same foundational information found in the Strong Interest Inventory Profile, but goes even further into analyzing your likes and dislikes by offering you a detailed look at how following your interests and preferences can help you lead a more fulfilling, satisfied life. The report presents you with the closest matched occupations for people with your interests, an in-depth breakdown of certain areas matched to your Strong Interest Inventory test results, and insight into your likes and dislikes.
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Strong Interest Inventory® Profile
Mold your future success by choosing a career that accurately reflects your interests, preferences, favorite topics as well as your likes and dislikes with the help of this profile.
Direct your future based on what you like and enjoy, providing you with a happier, more fulfilling life and career. The Strong Interest Inventory® Profile uses an extensive analysis of your interests and preferences to guide you towards a career that best suits who you are on a personal level. Depending on your likes and dislikes compared to others in specified fields, you may find a fulfilling career previously unthought-of, helping guide you down the road to success and happiness.
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Strong Interest Inventory® & Skills Confidence Profile + Strong Interpretive Report
Discover your interests and preferences as well as your confidence in your abilities to use these interests to your advantage.
Your strengths, interests, and preferences, when understood and well known, can lead you toward a successful and satisfying career. With this custom package, you’ll learn which occupations, strengths, and skills work best with your likes and dislikes and how confident you are in your ability to fulfill the needs of certain occupations, allowing you to formulate a career path that you’ll enjoy for years to come with the help of the Strong Interest Inventory test.
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iStartStrong™ Report
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Use your interests, preferences, and favorite subjects and leisure activities to assess which career or career field works best with who you are and what you like. Through the web-interactive and thorough iStartStrong™ report, you’ll get set off on the right foot toward finding a career that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Explore our Strong Interest Inventory® Blog Pages:
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- Strong Interest Inventory Social Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Enterprising Theme Explained
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References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org