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

  • Review, approve, or interpret genetic laboratory results.
  • Evaluate, diagnose, or treat genetic diseases.
  • Maintain laboratory notebooks that record research methods, procedures, and results.
  • Write grants and papers or attend fundraising events to seek research funds.
  • Attend clinical and research conferences and read scientific literature to keep abreast of technological advances and current genetic research findings.
  • Supervise or direct the work of other geneticists, biologists, technicians, or biometricians working on genetics research projects.
  • Collaborate with biologists and other professionals to conduct appropriate genetic and biochemical analyses.
  • Search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures most appropriate for genetic research goals.
  • Prepare results of experimental findings for presentation at professional conferences or in scientific journals.
  • Instruct medical students, graduate students, or others in methods or procedures for diagnosis and management of genetic disorders.
  • Evaluate genetic data by performing appropriate mathematical or statistical calculations and analyses.
  • Extract deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or perform diagnostic tests involving processes such as gel electrophoresis, Southern blot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction analysis.
  • 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.
  • Create or use statistical models for the analysis of genetic data.
  • Maintain laboratory safety programs and train personnel in laboratory safety techniques.
  • Conduct family medical studies to evaluate the genetic basis for traits or diseases.
  • Verify that cytogenetic, molecular genetic, and related equipment and instrumentation is maintained in working condition to ensure accuracy and quality of experimental results.
  • Design and maintain genetics computer databases.
  • Confer with information technology specialists to develop computer applications for genetic data analysis.
  • Develop protocols to improve existing genetic techniques or to incorporate new diagnostic procedures.
  • Design sampling plans or coordinate the field collection of samples such as tissue specimens.
  • Analyze determinants responsible for specific inherited traits, and devise methods for altering traits or producing new traits.
  • Plan curatorial programs for species collections that include acquisition, distribution, maintenance, or regeneration.
  • Participate in the development of endangered species breeding programs or species survival plans.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 77% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 87% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 47% responded "Extremely important".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 54% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 50% responded "Extremely important".
  • Telephone — 44% responded "Every day".
  • Read More
Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Prepare proposal documents or grant applications.
  • Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
  • Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
  • Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
  • Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Read More

Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Learning
  • Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Science
  • Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Read More

Abilities

Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Object or component oriented development software
  • R Hot Technology
  • Practical extraction and reporting language Perl Hot Technology
  • C++ Hot Technology
  • Oracle Java Hot Technology
  • Python Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual C# .NET
Operating system software
  • Linux Hot Technology
  • UNIX Hot Technology
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Read More