Geneticists

What the job really is

Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-1029
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Supervise or direct the work of other geneticists, biologists, technicians, or biometricians working on genetics research projects.
• Plan or conduct basic genomic and biological research related to areas such as regulation of gene expression, protein interactions, metabolic networks, and nucleic acid or protein complexes.
• Prepare results of experimental findings for presentation at professional conferences or in scientific journals.
• Maintain laboratory notebooks that record research methods, procedures, and results.
• Write grants and papers or attend fundraising events to seek research funds.
• Search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures most appropriate for genetic research goals.
• Review, approve, or interpret genetic laboratory results.
• Attend clinical and research conferences and read scientific literature to keep abreast of technological advances and current genetic research findings.
• Evaluate genetic data by performing appropriate mathematical or statistical calculations and analyses.
• Analyze determinants responsible for specific inherited traits, and devise methods for altering traits or producing new traits.
• Extract deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or perform diagnostic tests involving processes such as gel electrophoresis, Southern blot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction analysis.
• Collaborate with biologists and other professionals to conduct appropriate genetic and biochemical analyses.

Tools and technology

C++, Git, GitHub, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Oracle Java, Perl, Python

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Molecular and Cellular Biologists
• Biochemists and Biophysicists
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
• Bioinformatics Scientists
• Microbiologists
• Biologists
• Physicians, Pathologists
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Geneticists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.