19-1029.02 · Task explorer
Molecular and Cellular Biologists: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 22 tasks, including 19 marked Core and 3 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2021.
22 tasks shown
Core · Task 16807 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
Core · Task 16813 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
Core · Task 23904 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Write grant applications to obtain funding.
Core · Task 16805 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
Core · Task 16815 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
Core · Task 23905 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
Core · Task 16808 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
Core · Task 16810 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
Core · Task 16814 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
Core · Task 16809 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
Core · Task 16804 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.
Core · Task 16802 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
Core · Task 16806 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Monitor or operate specialized equipment, such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
Core · Task 16816 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.
Core · Task 16799 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
Core · Task 16811 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
Core · Task 16800 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.
Core · Task 16796 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.
Core · Task 16798 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.
Supplemental · Task 16797 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Participate in all levels of bioproduct development, including proposing new products, performing market analyses, designing and performing experiments, and collaborating with operations and quality control teams during product launches.
Supplemental · Task 16801 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements.
Supplemental · Task 16812 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert
Design databases, such as mutagenesis libraries.
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- Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
- For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
- Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.
The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.