Do you wonder how your body cells work together?
You might be interested in becoming a cell biologist!
What Do They Do?
On a typical day, cell biologists:
Study the structure and function of cells, which are the basic units that make up any living organism.
Research micro-organisms, plants and animal cells or tissues.
Grow and manipulate cells outside a living body to find new medications.
Design and conduct experiments and interpret their results.
Perform procedures such as DNA sequencing, RNA purification and cloning.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
What Qualifications Are Required?
Educational requirements
To become a cell biologist, you must:
Begin with a Bachelor's degree in biology or a mathematics-related field.
Complete a Master's program in cell and developmental biology.
Pursue a doctoral program or begin your career as a researcher or laboratory assistant.
Soft skills
In this career, you will do well if you like working on complex problems regularly. Working hours are often long. A never-say-die attitude will also help as sometimes experiments and research may not yield desired results and you may have to start over.
Quiz
Leah loves being outdoors. She also enjoys working with other people and prefers finishing her work quickly. She thinks it is frustrating to revisit completed tasks. Would a cell biologist career suit Leah?
Where Do They Work?
Cell biologists usually work in a laboratory setting.
Some biologists who study agriculture or diseases may also work in the field.
Potential employers
Cell biologists can find jobs with various private, non-profit, and government employers in industries such as pharmaceutical, life sciences, agriculture, and academics.
What Do They Earn?
On average, cell biologists earn up to:
USD $39.53 per hour in USA
CAD $38.04 per hour in Canada
Take Action
If you enjoy research-based work, solving complex problems, and are perseverant, being a cell biologist might be the career for you!
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