Geneticist
Do scientific research to understand and treat diseases in people, animals and plants. Discover more about how living organisms survive and develop.
Also known as: molecular geneticist
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£673
Entry level
£1,115
Experienced
Monthly
£2,917
Entry level
£4,833
Experienced
Yearly
£35,000
Entry level
£58,000
Experienced
11,500
people are currently employed
High growth
700 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would do scientific research to understand and treat diseases in people, animals and plants.
Genes contain the information that controls a living organism’s appearance, how it survives and how it behaves in its environment.
You’d use this information to make discoveries in a wide range of fields from medicine to agriculture, making discovering that improve health and wellbeing or help tackle climate change. You could work in research, teaching, industry or the NHS.
Depending where you work you might:
Develop crops that are resistant to disease and drought
Find the genes that cause disease in people, animals and plants
Chart animal populations and conserve wildlife
Research and develop new drugs and gene therapies
Apply genetics to archaeology to study past populations and individuals
Diagnose genetic diseases and trace their histories within families
Teach genetics at a university
You would:
Use laboratory techniques and experiments to analyse samples of genetic tissue
Record and interpret the results of experiments and tests
Use data and statistics to develop computer models of genes
Write reports for other professionals
Report and publish your findings in scientific papers
Supervise, train and mentor other laboratory staff
If you teach at a university you’d give lectures and supervise students.
If you work in the bioinformatics field you’d use computers to analyse information and model genes digitally.
Hours
Environment
Explore more information about this job
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Life sciences
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- understanding
- analysing
- taking initiative
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- researching
- observation
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Chemistry
Human Biology
Science
Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
Foundation Apprenticeship: Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills)
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You would need a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in a subject such as genetics, biology, biochemistry or life sciences.
Most undergraduate courses ask for at least four Highers at B or above (SCQF level 6). Some universities may require AABB (first sitting) for entry.
You can also enter a degree with a relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8). With Advanced Highers, HNC or HND qualification you may enter the second or third year of some degree courses.
Many people who do this job also have postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Science (MSc) (SCQF level 11) or a doctoral degree (SCQF level 12) in a relevant subject.
Some universities offer an integrated masters (SCQF level 11) combining a degree and masters courses. Entry is the same as for a degree.
Practical experience is useful and can be gained through Skills for Work Laboratory Science (SCFQ level 5), Foundation Apprenticeship Laboratory Sciences (SCQF level 6), or through work-based qualifications such as the Modern Apprenticeship in Life Sciences and the Related Science Industries (SCQF level 5/7/8).
With these qualifications you could work in a related technician role. You're likely to need further qualifications, such as a degree or postgraduate qualification (studied full-time or part-time while in work), to progress to a geneticist role.
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