According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Supervise or direct the work of other geneticists, biologists, technicians, or biometricians working on genetics research projects. | 89% |
| Prepare results of experimental findings for presentation at professional conferences or in scientific journals. | 87% |
| 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. | 87% |
| Maintain laboratory notebooks that record research methods, procedures, and results. | 87% |
| Write grants and papers or attend fundraising events to seek research funds. | 87% |
| Search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures most appropriate for genetic research goals. | 87% |
| Review, approve, or interpret genetic laboratory results. | 86% |
| Attend clinical and research conferences and read scientific literature to keep abreast of technological advances and current genetic research findings. | 85% |
| Evaluate genetic data by performing appropriate mathematical or statistical calculations and analyses. | 84% |
| Analyze determinants responsible for specific inherited traits, and devise methods for altering traits or producing new traits. | 82% |
| Extract deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or perform diagnostic tests involving processes such as gel electrophoresis, Southern blot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction analysis. | 82% |
| Evaluate, diagnose, or treat genetic diseases. | 73% |
| Instruct medical students, graduate students, or others in methods or procedures for diagnosis and management of genetic disorders. | 72% |
| Collaborate with biologists and other professionals to conduct appropriate genetic and biochemical analyses. | 72% |
| Create or use statistical models for the analysis of genetic data. | 70% |
| Maintain laboratory safety programs and train personnel in laboratory safety techniques. | 70% |
| Verify that cytogenetic, molecular genetic, and related equipment and instrumentation is maintained in working condition to ensure accuracy and quality of experimental results. | 67% |
| Develop protocols to improve existing genetic techniques or to incorporate new diagnostic procedures. | 65% |
| Confer with information technology specialists to develop computer applications for genetic data analysis. | 65% |
| Design sampling plans or coordinate the field collection of samples such as tissue specimens. | 63% |
| Conduct family medical studies to evaluate the genetic basis for traits or diseases. | 62% |
| Design and maintain genetics computer databases. | 59% |
| Participate in the development of endangered species breeding programs or species survival plans. | 55% |
| Plan curatorial programs for species collections that include acquisition, distribution, maintenance, or regeneration. | 50% |