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How exposed to AI is a Molecular and Cellular Biologist?

Of the 22 tasks O*NET lists for molecular and cellular biologists, 4 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 7 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Molecular BiologistResearch Scientist
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
22
tasks rated for this occupation
100%
hold a degree, from a survey of 26
47k
people do this job in the US
34 of 60
least protected in science

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

4
  • Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results
  • Write grant applications to obtain funding
  • Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste
  • Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned

Only with software built on top

11
  • Maintain accurate laboratory records and data
  • Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation
  • Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations
  • Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities
  • Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary
  • Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research
  • Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses
  • Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics
  • Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields
  • 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

Cannot be sped up

7
  • Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis
  • Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology
  • Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models
  • Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows
  • Monitor or operate specialized equipment, such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers
  • Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings
  • Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.