Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Science and research / 19-1029.02

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

US jobs
55,850 (SOC 19-1029 group, "Biological Scientists, All Other")
Median wage
$98,920 a year
Job family
Science and research

Can agents do the work of molecular and cellular biologists?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.

1% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 19-1029 group).

  • 14%Research biological or ecological phenomenaNot measured
  • 10%Design computer or information systems or applicationsNot measured
  • 6%Analyze biological or chemical substances or related dataNot measured
  • 6%Prepare proposals or grant applicationsNot measured
  • 5%Maintain current knowledge in area of expertiseNot measured
  • 5%Supervise personnel activitiesNot measured
  • 5%Present research or technical informationNot measured
  • 5%Direct scientific or technical activitiesNot measured

Benchmarks for this occupation

These benchmarks name this occupation in their job mapping.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • CORE-Benchby Princeton UniversityTask level · CORE-Bench-Hard accuracy (public test set)
    95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025
    Solved

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.
  • Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.
  • Write grant applications to obtain funding.
  • Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.
  • 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.
  • Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Other job titles for this occupation (28)

Molecular Biologist · Research Scientist · Biologist · Biology Researcher · Cell Biologist · Cell Biology Scientist · Cellular Biologist · DNA Sequencing Associate · Electrophysiologist · Molecular Biology Researcher · Molecular Biology Scientist · Molecular Biology Specialist · Molecular Research Biologist · Molecular Research Scientist · Molecular Technologist · Neurophysiologist · Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc Research Associate) · Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Postdoc Research Fellow) · Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc Researcher) · Postdoctoral Scholar (Postdoc Scholar) · Purification Scientist · Research Associate · Research Technician · Researcher · Scientist · Structural Biologist · Structural Biology Research Laboratory Specialist · Synthetic Biology Researcher