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Molecular and Cellular Biologists

SOC 19-1029.02Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers molecular and cellular biology research practice across academic, government, and industry settings, from supervised laboratory training through executive scientific leadership, encompassing experimental design, grant acquisition, mentorship, and organizational strategy.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Laboratory records and experimental data — maintain accurately using standardized templates and electronic lab notebooks under faculty or senior researcher supervision in an academic or industry research setting.
  2. Standard molecular biology protocols — execute under direct oversight, including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis, in a supervised wet-lab environment.
  3. RNA purification and basic cloning procedures — perform by following established step-by-step protocols under close mentorship in a molecular biology research laboratory.
  4. Scientific literature — read and summarize relevant journal articles to support understanding of assigned research questions in a graduate or postdoctoral research context.
  5. Experimental data — record, organize, and perform preliminary analysis using spreadsheet software under direction in a research team environment.
  6. Cell culture and basic cell biology techniques — carry out routine maintenance tasks following documented safety and procedural guidelines in a biosafety-level-appropriate laboratory.
  7. Laboratory meetings and scientific seminars — participate actively by asking clarifying questions and summarizing key findings as a junior contributor in an academic research group.
  8. Research presentations — prepare introductory slides and posters using presentation software under guidance from a principal investigator or senior colleague.
  9. Biological databases and bioinformatics portals — navigate and retrieve sequence or functional data as directed to support ongoing molecular research projects.
  10. Laboratory safety and regulatory compliance — follow all applicable protocols, including hazardous material handling and waste disposal, under supervision in a research laboratory setting.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Laboratory records and datasets — maintain, version-control, and audit routinely using electronic lab notebook and file versioning software with reduced oversight in a research laboratory.
  2. Molecular and cellular experiments — design at the individual project level, execute with minimal supervision, and interpret results in the context of published literature within an academic or biotech research environment.
  3. DNA sequencing, site-directed mutagenesis, and RNA sequencing workflows — perform and troubleshoot independently, adapting protocols to address common technical challenges in a mid-career research role.
  4. Cell signaling and gene expression studies — conduct with growing autonomy, applying appropriate controls and statistical analysis to validate findings in a mammalian or model-organism research system.
  5. Research manuscripts and progress reports — draft, revise, and submit with limited editorial guidance, following journal style requirements and institutional reporting standards.
  6. Grant pre-proposals and fellowship applications — contribute substantively to writing sections covering background, significance, and experimental design under senior investigator guidance.
  7. Undergraduate research assistants and rotation students — instruct in core techniques, safety procedures, and scientific reasoning within a university research or training laboratory.
  8. Analytical or scientific software platforms — apply routinely for data processing, statistical analysis, and visualization, selecting appropriate tools for standard bioinformatics and imaging tasks.
  9. Laboratory scheduling and supply inventory — coordinate and prioritize to ensure efficient workflow across multiple concurrent experiments in a shared research laboratory.
  10. Complex problem-solving in experimental failures — diagnose root causes and implement corrective measures independently using systematic troubleshooting approaches in a cellular or molecular biology setting.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Multi-experiment research programs — design, oversee full execution, and interpret results autonomously across the complete project lifecycle, including non-routine and novel biological systems in an academic, government, or industry research environment.
  2. Comprehensive laboratory records and data management systems — establish and enforce standards for data integrity, reproducibility, and archiving across an entire research group.
  3. Full-length grant applications — write independently, synthesizing scientific literature, articulating specific aims, and justifying experimental approaches to secure extramural funding from federal agencies or private foundations.
  4. Cell differentiation, cellular bioinformatics, and cell organization research — conduct at a senior expert level, integrating multi-omics data and advanced imaging to address fundamental biological questions.
  5. Research manuscripts, reviews, and book chapters — author and revise to publication standard, serving as corresponding author and responding to peer reviewer critiques across high-impact journals.
  6. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers — mentor and instruct in advanced experimental design, scientific writing, and career development within a university or research institute environment.
  7. Non-routine molecular phenomena and contradictory datasets — evaluate critically, apply inductive and deductive reasoning, and generate innovative hypotheses to advance understanding in the field.
  8. Laboratory operations including budgets, personnel, and regulatory compliance — direct and prioritize to sustain a productive, safe, and ethically sound research program.
  9. External scientific presentations and conference talks — deliver authoritatively, representing original research findings to specialist and interdisciplinary audiences at national and international meetings.
  10. Advanced data mining and bioinformatics software pipelines — deploy and customize to analyze large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic datasets, interpreting results within the broader biological context.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Long-range research strategy and scientific vision — set and communicate at the departmental or organizational level, defining priority questions in molecular and cellular biology that guide resource allocation and hiring decisions.
  2. Large-scale grant portfolios and center-level funding initiatives — lead development and submission, coordinating multi-investigator teams and aligning scientific goals with agency priorities and institutional strategic plans.
  3. Scientific workforce — develop systematically through structured mentorship programs, training curricula, and performance frameworks that advance the careers of graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty.
  4. Interdisciplinary and cross-institutional research collaborations — initiate, organize, and sustain, negotiating intellectual property, data-sharing agreements, and publication credit across academic, government, and industry partners.
  5. Departmental and institutional research policies — influence and shape, including biosafety, research integrity, and diversity initiatives, through committee leadership and senior administrative roles.
  6. Field-wide knowledge gaps and emerging methodologies — identify proactively and champion adoption of transformative technologies such as single-cell multi-omics or CRISPR-based functional genomics across the research organization.
  7. Peer review and editorial leadership — provide at the journal, study section, or program officer level, evaluating scientific rigor and impact to guide funding and publication decisions across the discipline.
  8. Organizational laboratory infrastructure and capital equipment investments — evaluate and decide upon, aligning technology acquisition with long-term scientific and institutional priorities.
  9. Public and stakeholder communication — translate complex molecular and cellular biology findings into policy-relevant or commercially actionable insights for government agencies, boards of directors, or the general public.
  10. Culture of scientific innovation, intellectual curiosity, and ethical practice — model and institutionalize at the organizational level, establishing norms that sustain high-impact, reproducible, and responsible research.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted literature synthesis — uses an LLM to summarize recent publications on gene expression or cell signaling, then cross-checks the output against primary sources before incorporating findings into lab notes or grant background sections Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Laboratory record drafting — delegates routine documentation of experimental parameters and results to an AI writing assistant, reviewing the generated text for accuracy before finalizing records Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Experimental protocol optimization — queries an AI assistant to compare published protocols for DNA sequencing or RNA purification, then synthesizes recommendations into a refined workflow while retaining judgment over final procedural choices Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Grant application drafting — directs an AI tool to generate initial narrative sections for funding applications, editing the output for scientific precision, institutional voice, and alignment with funder priorities Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Bioinformatics pipeline scoping — instructs an AI assistant to outline data-analysis approaches for genomic or transcriptomic datasets, then evaluates the suggestions against domain knowledge before committing to a computational strategy WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Multi-source data interpretation — orchestrates AI-assisted analysis of high-dimensional cellular datasets, integrating machine-generated summaries with expert interpretation of biological variability and experimental controls Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Hypothesis generation support — uses an LLM to surface cross-disciplinary mechanistic hypotheses about cell differentiation or signaling, critically evaluating plausibility against wet-lab constraints and existing literature Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Experiment design review — runs proposed study designs through an AI reasoning tool to stress-test controls, sample sizes, and confounders, then adjudicates which flagged issues warrant protocol revision Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Autonomous agent oversight for bioinformatics — deploys semi-autonomous AI pipelines for large-scale sequence analysis or cellular bioinformatics tasks, defining success criteria and audit checkpoints while retaining authorship of scientific conclusions Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-augmented research program leadership — integrates AI tooling across the full research lifecycle — literature review, experimental design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation — calibrating human versus AI effort allocation based on task automation feasibility and novelty of scientific questions Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 214
Augment share: 21.4%
Time saved: 76.3%
AI autonomy: 3.12
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Science
Score: 53.1 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Data Science and Analysis
data_science_and_analysis
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication11 statements
Emerging
  1. Laboratory notebook entries — documents experimental procedures and observations using standard scientific notation within a supervised research setting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Journal article comprehension — extracts key findings and methodological details from primary literature to support assigned experiments O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Research progress reports — composes written summaries of experimental results and interpretations for review by principal investigators Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Departmental presentations — delivers structured oral summaries of molecular or cellular findings to lab group audiences using appropriate scientific terminology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Grant narrative drafting — contributes specific aims or background sections to funding applications under senior researcher guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Manuscript preparation — authors peer-reviewed articles describing gene expression or cell signaling experiments from methods through discussion with clarity and precision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Grant application authorship — independently writes NIH or NSF grant proposals articulating research significance, innovation, and approach to review panels O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary communication — translates complex molecular biology concepts into accessible language for collaborators in chemistry, bioinformatics, or clinical domains Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Scientific keynote delivery — presents original cellular or molecular research findings at national conferences, synthesizing data into compelling narratives for expert audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored manuscript development — guides graduate students through the full cycle of scientific writing from hypothesis framing to journal submission and peer-review response Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Public science communication — translates molecular biology research outcomes into accessible language for non-specialist stakeholders, policy audiences, or science media Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Protocol stewardship — takes ownership of assigned laboratory procedures such as gel electrophoresis or RNA purification and completes them with minimal supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer support — assists fellow lab members with standard molecular techniques during joint experimental sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Undergraduate mentorship — instructs and supervises undergraduate researchers in foundational cellular biology techniques within a structured lab environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Project coordination — organizes and prioritizes daily laboratory activities across multiple concurrent experiments to meet research timelines O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Graduate student supervision — directs thesis research for graduate students, providing scientific guidance, experimental feedback, and professional development support Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Laboratory operations management — coordinates personnel, equipment scheduling, reagent procurement, and safety compliance across an active molecular biology laboratory O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Research initiative ownership — defines experimental objectives, delegates tasks, and holds the team accountable for deliverables within funded research projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Principal investigator leadership — establishes the scientific vision and strategic direction of a research program in molecular or cellular biology, attracting funding and talent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional committee service — leads departmental or institutional committees shaping research priorities, biosafety policy, or graduate curriculum in life sciences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Field-level influence — shapes direction of molecular biology subdisciplines through editorial board participation, grant review panels, or scientific advisory roles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Protocol self-monitoring — identifies personal gaps in technique execution such as pipetting accuracy or gel loading and seeks corrective guidance proactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Literature learning strategy — selects targeted reading strategies to build foundational knowledge in assigned areas of cell signaling or gene expression Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Experimental reflection — evaluates the reasoning behind experimental design choices after results are obtained, identifying what assumptions held or failed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill gap assessment — maps current competency in molecular techniques against project requirements and plans targeted skill acquisition accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research strategy calibration — periodically evaluates the productivity and direction of a research program and adjusts experimental priorities based on cumulative evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Bias recognition in data interpretation — identifies cognitive tendencies such as confirmation bias when analyzing sequencing or imaging data and applies corrective analytical checks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Epistemological modeling — explicitly models scientific reasoning processes for graduate students and postdocs, teaching them to distinguish between strong inference and wishful interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive research planning — redesigns entire experimental programs in response to paradigm shifts in molecular biology, integrating new evidence with existing knowledge frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking10 statements
Emerging
  1. Controls evaluation — identifies the purpose of positive and negative controls within assigned molecular biology experiments and articulates their necessity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Data validity assessment — recognizes when experimental results such as anomalous band patterns in gel electrophoresis require verification before interpretation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Hypothesis interrogation — evaluates competing mechanistic explanations for observed gene expression or cell differentiation phenotypes using available data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Literature critique — assesses the methodological rigor and statistical validity of primary research articles relevant to current experimental questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Experimental design reasoning — constructs logically sound experimental frameworks using appropriate molecular tools such as CRISPR, RNAi, or reporter assays to test specific mechanistic hypotheses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Contradictory data resolution — analyzes internally inconsistent datasets from sequencing or proteomics experiments to identify sources of artifact, error, or genuine biological variation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Grant review judgment — evaluates the scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of proposed molecular biology research as a study section reviewer O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Paradigm challenge — identifies and systematically tests foundational assumptions in an established cellular or molecular biology model, generating evidence that reshapes field consensus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multi-omics inference — integrates genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic datasets to construct mechanistically coherent models of cellular behavior Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Research program logic — evaluates the long-term scientific coherence and feasibility of an entire laboratory research portfolio, making evidence-based strategic pivots Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Lab team participation — contributes assigned experimental tasks within a shared research project while coordinating sample handoffs and timeline expectations with peers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Core facility interaction — works cooperatively with institutional core facility staff to schedule and execute sequencing, imaging, or flow cytometry services Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interdisciplinary project contribution — contributes molecular biology expertise to multi-investigator projects spanning chemistry, computational biology, or biomedical engineering Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Co-authorship navigation — negotiates roles, data ownership, and authorship order transparently within multi-lab collaborative manuscript teams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Consortium research coordination — manages responsibilities and deliverables within large multi-institutional research consortia, aligning experimental workflows across sites Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative grant development — integrates scientific contributions from multiple investigators into a coherent multi-project grant application with unified aims O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Industry-academic collaboration — bridges academic research and biotechnology or pharmaceutical partners by aligning scientific goals, IP considerations, and communication norms Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Center-level scientific integration — architects research collaborations across departments or institutions, building shared infrastructure and harmonized data standards for molecular biology programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. International research network leadership — coordinates scientific exchange, data sharing, and joint publications within global molecular and cellular biology research networks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Research data integrity — records all experimental results including negative or unexpected outcomes accurately and without alteration in laboratory notebooks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Biosafety compliance — follows all institutional biosafety protocols for handling recombinant DNA, biological agents, and hazardous chemicals without exception Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Reproducibility accountability — reruns experiments and reports replication failures honestly rather than selectively presenting favorable data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Authorship ethics — attributes intellectual contributions to collaborators and students accurately and advocates for fair authorship practices within the team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research misconduct prevention — models and enforces responsible conduct of research standards within the laboratory including data management, attribution, and conflict-of-interest disclosure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentee professional development — invests in the career growth of graduate students and postdocs through honest performance feedback and advocacy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Grant reporting integrity — accurately reports research progress, setbacks, and use of funds to sponsoring agencies without misrepresentation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-level ethical leadership — contributes to the development of community standards around emerging ethical issues in molecular biology such as gene editing, synthetic biology, or dual-use research Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional culture stewardship — establishes and sustains a laboratory and departmental culture where scientific integrity, inclusion, and professional accountability are non-negotiable expectations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Troubleshooting ideation — generates and tests alternative procedural modifications when standard protocols fail to produce expected results in cloning or purification steps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assay adaptation — proposes minor modifications to existing molecular assays to better suit the specific biological system under study Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Novel experimental design — constructs creative experimental frameworks that combine established molecular tools in non-standard ways to interrogate unanswered mechanistic questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary method borrowing — adapts techniques from adjacent fields such as synthetic chemistry or computational biology to solve cellular biology problems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research question origination — independently identifies compelling, tractable, and significant gaps in the molecular biology literature and formulates testable hypotheses to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Technological innovation — develops or substantially modifies laboratory techniques such as novel reporter systems or CRISPR screening strategies to enable previously infeasible experiments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Paradigm-generating discovery — produces original molecular or cellular findings that open new research directions, enabling the scientific community to ask fundamentally new questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Platform technology invention — creates generalizable molecular biology platforms, toolkits, or model systems that are adopted broadly across the research community Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Grant innovation architecture — structures research programs around creative, high-risk high-reward conceptual frameworks that earn competitive funding in crowded scientific landscapes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset10 statements
Emerging
  1. Failed experiment processing — treats inconclusive or negative molecular results as informative data points and uses them to refine the next experimental iteration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — incorporates critical feedback from principal investigators on experimental design or written reports into subsequent work without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Technical skill expansion — voluntarily learns unfamiliar molecular techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing or CRISPR screens to increase experimental capability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer review integration — uses reviewer critiques of submitted manuscripts to improve scientific argumentation and experimental rigor in revised submissions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research pivoting — redirects experimental focus in response to unexpected findings or field developments, treating the pivot as scientific opportunity rather than failure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuous literature engagement — systematically monitors emerging publications in molecular and cellular biology to integrate new concepts into ongoing research programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Grant rejection resilience — analyzes study section critiques of unfunded applications to strengthen the scientific rationale and resubmit with substantive improvements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field disruption embrace — pursues research directions that challenge prevailing models in cellular or molecular biology despite institutional or peer skepticism Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored growth culture — deliberately creates a laboratory environment where intellectual risk-taking and learning from failure are explicitly modeled and rewarded Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Career-long learning architecture — designs ongoing professional development structures for self and trainees that systematically build competency at the frontier of molecular biology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness8 statements
Emerging
  1. Procedural attention — maintains focused, step-by-step attention during technically demanding molecular procedures such as DNA extraction or gel electrophoresis to prevent errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Lab environment awareness — monitors workspace conditions including reagent temperatures, contamination risks, and equipment status throughout experimental sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Sustained concentration management — maintains analytical focus during extended microscopy, sequencing data review, or bioinformatics processing sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress regulation during setbacks — manages frustration and cognitive load when experiments repeatedly fail, maintaining methodical troubleshooting rather than reactive responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional decision-making — pauses to evaluate available evidence fully before drawing conclusions from ambiguous sequencing or imaging data, resisting premature interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Meeting and mentorship presence — brings full attentive presence to graduate student advising sessions and collaborative scientific discussions, listening to understand rather than to respond Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. High-stakes clarity — maintains calm, evidence-focused reasoning when navigating high-pressure situations such as grant deadlines, replication crises, or unexpected major findings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotionally regulated leadership — models regulated, non-reactive responses to lab setbacks, reviewer hostility, or resource constraints, sustaining team morale and scientific rigor simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude10 statements
Emerging
  1. Experiment persistence — repeats technically demanding procedures such as RNA purification or cloning multiple times after initial failures without abandoning the approach prematurely Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Criticism tolerance — sustains engagement with challenging peer or supervisor critiques of data interpretation without disengaging from the scientific process Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Long-cycle research endurance — sustains productive effort across multi-month experimental timelines where incremental progress may not yield clear results Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Grant rejection recovery — resubmits unfunded research proposals with strengthened scientific arguments after receiving non-selection notices from funding agencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research program resilience — sustains a coherent and productive research program through funding gaps, personnel transitions, and experimental dead ends Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer review adversity navigation — responds constructively to hostile or dismissive peer reviews of manuscripts, producing substantive revisions that strengthen the scientific contribution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Unpopular finding defense — presents and defends data that contradicts prevailing models in cellular or molecular biology despite field resistance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Decade-scale scientific commitment — pursues a sustained research agenda on fundamental questions in molecular or cellular biology through career-spanning cycles of uncertainty, failure, and discovery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional adversity leadership — sustains team productivity, morale, and scientific rigor through major institutional disruptions such as budget cuts, facility losses, or public controversies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Courageous scientific dissent — publicly challenges flawed but entrenched findings in the molecular biology literature, accepting professional risk in service of scientific accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Biologist · Biology Researcher · Cell Biologist · Cell Biology Scientist · Cellular Biologist · DNA Sequencing Associate · Electrophysiologist · Molecular Biologist · Molecular Biology Researcher · Molecular Biology Scientist · Molecular Biology Specialist · Molecular Research Biologist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningLearning StrategiesMathematicsMonitoringInstructingSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionOperations AnalysisTime ManagementNegotiationSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems Analysis
Knowledge domains
BiologyEnglish LanguageChemistryMathematicsEducation and TrainingComputers and ElectronicsMedicine and Dentistry
Abilities
Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionCategory FlexibilityDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivitySpeech ClarityInformation Ordering
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityAttention to DetailDependabilityInnovationCautiousnessAchievement Orientation
Technology
Analytical or scientific softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareObject or component oriented development softwareOffice suite softwareData mining softwareData base user interface and query softwareFile versioning softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareSpreadsheet softwarePresentation software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
  2. Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
  3. Write grant applications to obtain funding.
  4. Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
  5. Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
  6. Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
  7. Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
  8. Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
CIP education codes
26.010126.020426.020726.020826.020926.021026.029926.030126.030526.030726.030826.039926.040126.040326.040426.040626.040726.049926.050326.050426.050526.050626.050726.050826.050926.070226.070726.080126.080226.080326.080426.080526.080726.089926.091026.100126.100426.110126.110226.110426.119926.120126.130126.130226.130326.130426.130526.130626.130726.130826.131026.131126.139926.150126.150226.150326.150426.159926.999927.030630.190130.270130.320142.2706

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.