Description
Research molecular mechanisms of cells by studying DNA, RNA, and protein structure, function, and regulation; design and analyze experiments to elucidate pathways and apply findings to health and biotechnology.
- • Build collaborations with research teams, core facilities, vendors, and regulators to support molecular studies.
- • Use computational tools and scripts to store, process, and analyze omics data.
- • Collect and analyze data on gene expression, variants, and protein interactions.
- • Study cellular and molecular responses to disease, drugs, stress, or environmental factors.
- • Communicate experimental results to project stakeholders and collaborators.
- • Characterize DNA, RNA, and protein structure, function, and regulation.
- • Represent the organization at scientific meetings and conferences.
- • Plan and manage molecular biology research projects across settings.
- • Investigate mechanisms underlying development, host-pathogen interactions, or therapeutic response.
- • Quantify and assess quality of nucleic acids and proteins (RIN, A260/280, fragment analysis).
- • Teach, mentor, or supervise students, technicians, and junior scientists.
- • Supervise laboratory technologists and coordinate cross-functional efforts.
- • Study core processes such as replication, transcription, translation, signaling, and metabolism.
- • Design and implement gene editing, expression, and cloning strategies.
- • Prepare requests for proposals or statements of work for reagents or external services.
- • Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations.
- • Develop, optimize, and validate assays (PCR/qPCR, RT-PCR, CRISPR, cloning, ELISA, Western blot, NGS library prep).
- • Conduct biosafety risk assessments and implement BSL-appropriate procedures.
- • Prepare technical reports, manuscripts, and regulatory documents.
- • Review protocols, datasets, and proposals for rigor, accuracy, and compliance.
- • Write grant applications to obtain funding for molecular biology research.
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Healthcare & Human Services
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
