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Who is a Molecular Biologist?
Almost all aspects of life are engineered at the molecular level, and without understanding molecules, we can only have a very sketchy understanding of life itself ~ Francis Crick
The field of Molecular Biology deals with the examination of plants, animals as well as human genetics in order to find the variation as well as relationships between them. If you wish to be a part of this process wherein you get to study DNA as well as RNA of living organisms then you can go for a career as a molecular biologist.
Individuals in molecular biology careers spend most of their time working in laboratories and offices. A Molecular Biologist career involves handling toxic chemicals that might prove dangerous to life. A career as a molecular biologist involves gathering results of their findings through various data analysis programs working in offices.
Quick Facts for Molecular Biologist
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Industry
Technology, Agriculture, Healthcare
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Average Salary in India
₹28500
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a Molecular Biologist is suitable for individuals of each gender. There is not any gender-based discrimination in the field of molecular biology or science. A Molecular Biologist job is a research-based role. Graduates of science are eligible for establishing a career as a Molecular Biologist.
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Any special needs
No
A career as a Molecular Biologist is not suitable for candidates with special abilities. A molecular biologist conducts experiments and prepares reports. He or she should be frequent to record accurate results. Several Molecular Biologists have to carry out experiments using toxic chemicals that could turn dangerous to life if any mismanagement happens.
Table of Contents for Molecular Biologist
What is the role of Molecular Biologist?
A career as a molecular biologist involves studying the behaviour of cells in various conditions and their functional structure. Individuals in molecular biology careers stay involved in analysing the functioning and mechanism of cells. They conduct experiments and studies to understand the evolutionary processes such as reproduction, birth, and death of plants, animals, humans, and other living organisms.
The prime responsibility in the career of a molecular biologist is to alter the genetic properties of molecules to cure or slow disease infestation.
A career as a molecular biologist requires using critical thinking in the assigned tasks.
A molecular biologist uses several scientific techniques while carrying out his or her daily work routine.
A molecular biologist’s work responsibility also includes manufacturing research-grade materials.
He or she spends most of the time designing and analysing DNA constructs.
He or she uses software in order to construct DNA and molecular modelling of living organisms.
A molecular biologist holds the responsibility of quality control while he or she is carrying out a lab experiment or conducting a study for analysis.
A molecular biologist is responsible for preparing reports from the findings of the studies, researches and experiments.
Types of a Molecular Biologist
There is a large variety of molecular biologists depending on various factors like skills, expertise, experience and knowledge of the candidate This includes types like cellular biologists, researchers, teachers, and others. Here is a list of some major types of molecular biologists in India:
Biology Teacher: The biology teacher or professors teach students subjects such as earth sciences, technological advances, and research methods within the discipline. A bachelor’s degree in the subject is required to teach secondary-level students. The responsibilities of a biology teacher are to assist in the preparation for ISI and other educational inspections.
Research Specialist: A research specialist conducts experiments and studies. He or she analyses the findings of the study and prepares the report. He or she works in clinical and non-clinical areas. A research specialist works in the lab or field. He or she provides new ideas and experiments to understand how life works, supports our understanding of health and disease, and contributes innovative information to the technology revolution.
Cellular Biologist: A Cellular Biologist conducts experiments and examines to find out the cell development process. Cellular Biologists conduct experiments involving the Molecular Genetics of cells to research and prepare a report of their findings. He or she covers an array of living organisms such as insects, humans, and plants.
Also read: Career as nanotechnologist
What is the workplace/work environment of Molecular Biologist like?
A career as a Molecular Biologist requires spending most of working hours in laboratories, offices, on-field, industrial settings, and other workplaces. He or she has to follow safety measures strictly while examining specimens of cells. A career as a Molecular Biologist requires working with toxic chemicals which could prove dangerous to their lives.
On-field Molecular Biologists generally collect samples exposed to the environment or worksites. They may often be required to travel occasionally for on-field work or to collect samples. Generally, researchers work in academic institutions or they own their laboratories to conduct research.
Does Molecular Biologist require travelling?
Likely
A career as a Molecular Biologist may occasionally require travelling. The purpose of travel may vary. They visit on-site for the collection of samples from outside fields. These samples are further used for study and experiment purposes.
Employment Shifts
Full Time
A career as a Molecular Biologist provides full-time employment. It may take years to study and research to find the cure or alternative solution to slow down the effects of the disease. Therefore, this career does not come up with work from home, hourly basis or on-call work opportunities. A career as a Molecular Biologist is a research-based job role.
Employment Nature
Permanent
A majority of the Molecular Biologists are permanent employees of a company. In case there are any short-term projects or survey to do, the company might hire Molecular Biologists on a contract basis. Thus, a career as a Molecular Biologist provides both type of employment permanent as well as contractual basis.
Work Place
Laboratory, Office, universities, pharmaceutical
A career as a Molecular Biologist provides employment opportunities in laboratories, offices, universities, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and other related industries. A Molecular Biologist usually work eight hours a day and thirty-five hours a week. Work hours sometimes may extend to meet the deadlines in the career as a Molecular Biologist.
Presence in Geographical Area
Urban
Urban cities are flourishing with employment opportunities while rural areas provide negligible job opportunities for this career. The rapidly developing cities with a vast population such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Chennai offer great opportunities for careers related to life sciences and molecular biology.
Time Pressure
Not Likely
A career as Molecular Biologist does not involve any frequent time pressure. A Molecular Biologist's job involves working in laboratories having air conditioning most of the time. For quite a few instances, he or she might be required to visit outdoors to collect samples and equipment which might lead to some time pressure. Apart from this, time pressure is rare in the profession.
Overtime Details
A career as a Molecular biologist involves eight to nine working hours a day. Molecular Biologists hardly face any overtime working problems. However, occasionally during project deadlines, they might be required to work for long hours under stressful conditions.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 45 Hours
Molecular Biologists generally work eight hours a day in a lab or office environment. They do not work on rotational shifts. Their work hours generally start from mornings and end in mid evenings. Their work hours sometimes may extend to meet the deadlines.
How to become a Molecular Biologist?
Steps to become a Molecular Biologist
Pursuing a career as Molecular Biologist takes a lot of dedication and patience as you will be dealing with the study of plants, animals and the genetics of humans. If you are interested in studying the DNA and RNA of living organisms then you can opt for a career as Molecular Biologist is the best option for you. We have mentioned below some of the steps for how to become a Molecular Biologist in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Molecular Biologist?
A molecular biologist must possess a variety of skills to succeed in the career. These skills include communication skills, knowledge, analysis, project management, and organising skills. Here, we have mentioned below some of the major skills and qualities necessary to become a successful molecular biologist in India.
Communication Skills: It is an essential aspect of a career as a molecular biologist. Communication in the workplace is very important to businesses because it helps industries to be productive and operate more efficiently. A molecular biologist must effectively communicate his or her ideas and the results of experiments to other colleagues and stakeholders. He should be able to listen, clarify and respond effectively
Interpersonal Management: Interpersonal skills are essential irrespective of the profession, as it allows staff to create and maintain positive working relationships with each other and their stakeholders, leading to growing organisations and the company's effectiveness. A career as a molecular biologist requires working in a team. He or she has to establish good relations with the team to avoid conflicts and remain productive at work.
Supervisory Skill: An essential skill is to become ready to maintain a strong workforce and resource limitations when overseeing and delegating other workers and projects. Supervisory skills are appropriate for the ability to understand which are essential and what is relevant. A career as a molecular biologist requires monitoring the project effectively to ensure its successful completion and improve it where it lacks.
Organising Skills: A Molecular Biologist finds things simple to control the workload of assignments, schedule, and maintain the documents. Organising oneself can also significantly decrease the distractions at the workstation so that the worker could be more efficient in the working space. A career as a molecular biologist requires strong organising skills to manage things efficiently.
Project Management: Every company has organisational plans, and those priorities are supported by the projects. It is the most important aspect of a career as a molecular biologist. He or she is required to work on multiple projects and set priorities on work assignments. An individual in a molecular biology career must be flexible to adapt to changing conditions.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Molecular Biologist?
Certification courses help the candidates to get an edge over other potential individuals. Certification courses are beneficial to increase the candidate’s existing knowledge and skills. We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt to establish a career as molecular biologists.
Internship Availability
Students aspiring to opt for a career as a molecular biologist can find good internship opportunities in biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The companies hire interns to assist in the assessment of biochemical activities under diseased conditions. One can find various options through recruiting websites such as naukri.com, Glassdoor, Internshala, indeed.com, and other online platforms.
Molecular Biologist Jobs and Salaries
Junior Molecular Biologist
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 23000
Job Description
A Junior Molecular Biologist is a professional who conducts research and experiments at the molecular level to better comprehend the function of molecules and understand how they react when put in different environments. A Junior Molecular Biologist may occasionally troubleshoot minor breakdowns in the laboratory instruments, perform preventative maintenance, and ask technicians for repairs.
Salary Description
The salary of a Junior Molecular Biologist varies from organisation to organisation. The salary of a Junior Molecular Biologist in India ranges between Rs. 1.1 Lakhs to Rs. 6.0 Lakhs in a year with an average salary of Rs. 3.4 Lakhs per annum.
(source: payscale.com)
Senior Molecular Biologist
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 34000
Job Description
A Senior Molecular Biologist is responsible for identifying, designing, implementing and managing molecular biology experiments. He or she documents the study and its findings. A Senior Molecular Biologist is required to prepare reports and presentations for internal and external use.
Salary Description
The salary of a Senior Molecular Biologist varies depending on skills, expertise, and other things. The salary of a Senior Molecular Biologist in India ranges from Rs. 3.0 Lakhs to Rs. 8.4 Lakhs with an average salary of Rs. 4.4 Lakhs per annum.
Source: payscale.com
What is the job outlook for Molecular Biologist?
A career as a molecular biologist opens doors to some of the most wonderful opportunities. There’s a boom expected in the number of job growths in the next five to ten years. A molecular biologist career focuses on the human cycle and the evolution of life. A career as a molecular biologist provides numerous job opportunities in private industries, universities (government and private), and government agencies.
Molecular biologists serve as consultants and advise on environmental issues in the private industry. While in government agencies, they are involved in research to find the cure or treatment of diseases. In academic institutions or universities, the professors instruct students as well as contribute to the research within their fields.
Frequently Asked Questions for Molecular Biologist
Que. What are the pros and cons of a molecular biologist career?
Ans.There is an expected growth of 19 per cent by the year 2024 in the field of molecular biology. Several entry-level jobs only require a bachelor's degree. There is a huge scope for the career, as there are multiple fields such as medical, pharmaceutical and forensic sciences. A career as a molecular biologist often requires the handling of toxic chemicals.
Que. What are the educational and training requirements for molecular biologists?
Ans.To establish a career as a molecular biologist, one must pursue a bachelor of science or B.Sc. in life sciences or related subjects with a concentration in molecular biology. A master’s degree in the related subjects is considered a bonus point to bag entry-level job opportunities. A doctoral degree or PhD degree is required for senior roles.
Que. What are the workplaces for molecular biologists?
Ans.A career as a molecular biologist provides several workplaces to perform duties such as laboratories, hospitals, universities, research firms, and pharmaceutical companies.
Que. What are the top biochemistry colleges in India?
Ans.There are numerous colleges and universities that offer a bachelor's degree programme in bio chemistry. We have mentioned below the top colleges of biochemistry that provide support to establish a career as a molecular biologist.
The top biochemistry colleges in India are SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New DelhiIndian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research Puducherry, BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.
Que. What does a molecular biologist do on a daily basis?
Ans.Individuals in molecular biology careers stay involved in analysing functioning and mechanism of cells. They conduct experiments and study to understand the evolutionary processes such as reproduction, birth, and death of plants, animals, humans and other living organisms.
Que. How long does it take to become a molecular biologist?
Ans.To become a molecular biologist, you must opt for a bachelor's and a master's degree which will take five years or five and half years which includes an internship. If you are going for PhD then it will take three years to complete.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
The 99.9 percent of our DNA is shared with some other human’s DNA
Fact 2
DNA is made up of four elements i.e. nucleotides adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine
Fact 3
If all the DNA molecules of the human body are aligned end to end, it will reach the sun and back to the earth around 600 times
Fact 4
Molecular biology originated in the 1930 and 1940 and picked up momentum in the 1950 and 1960
Fact 5
The pioneer in electron microscopy was Ernst Ruska who, in 1931, built the first transmission electron microscope
