Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
AI Impact Summary
Molecular and Cellular Biologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 33/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 56% of all analyzed occupations. Of 23 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Molecular and Cellular Biologists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
23 tasks analyzed
Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.
Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.
Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.
Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.
Prepare reports, manuscripts, and meeting presentations.
Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
Monitor or operate specialized equipment such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.
Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.
Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.
Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.
Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.
Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.
Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.
Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.
Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.
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.
Design databases such as mutagenesis libraries.
Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements.
Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.
Write grant applications to obtain funding.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain accurate laboratory records and data. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 6% | |
| Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results. | 70.97Observed | 55.4% | 10% | |
| Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary. | 64.28Observed | 52.7% | 10% | |
| Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis. | 55.53Observed | 55.2% | 8% | |
| Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 5% | |
| Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities. | 56.25Observed | 37.5% | 4% | |
| Prepare reports, manuscripts, and meeting presentations. | 58.3Observed | 50.3% | 3% | |
| Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology. | 50.7Observed | 35.3% | 4% | |
| Monitor or operate specialized equipment such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings. | 50Estimated | 69.2% | 2% | |
| Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 2% | |
| Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste. | 58.15Observed | 50.3% | 3% | |
| 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. | 56.03Observed | 49.4% | 2% | |
| Design databases such as mutagenesis libraries. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 2% | |
| Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 2% | |
| Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Write grant applications to obtain funding. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 5% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 33.7%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$93,330
per year
Mean Wage
$100,440
per year
Employment
60K
workers
Wage Range
$54,500 - $159,780
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Molecular and Cellular Biologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change