Geneticist
Do scientific research to understand and treat diseases in people, animals and plants. You'd also study plants and animals to help develop biofuels and fight climate change.
Also known as: molecular geneticist
About the job
A day in the life – Geneticist
What it's like
You'll 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’ll use this information to make discoveries in a wide range of fields from medicine to agriculture, making discoveries that improve health and wellbeing or help tackle climate change. You could work in research, teaching, industry or the NHS.
Your tasks might include:
developing crops that are resistant to disease and drought
finding the genes that cause disease in people, animals and plants
researching and developing new drugs and gene therapies
applying genetics to archaeology to study past populations and individuals
diagnosing genetic diseases and tracing their histories within families
using data and statistics to develop computer models of genes
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.
Green job
In this job you could be doing work to help the environment by charting animal populations and conserving wildlife.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Not Just Lab Coats – Helps you explore different career options in science, manufacturing, and technology
NHS Scotland Careers – What is a clinical scientist in genetics and molecular pathology?
The Genetics Society – What do geneticists do?
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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.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta 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 each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Human Biology
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Science
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Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
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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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