How To Become A Director Of Cell Biology: What It Is and Career Path

What is a director of cell biology and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Andrew Riquier Ph.D.

A director of cell biology is an individual scientist and researcher who directs and manages a team of biological researchers. This individual provides leadership and oversees cell biology and cell culture laboratories and most often works in the area of immunology, virology, vaccine development, DNA and gene analysis, and stem cell research. The director also manages cell biology teams who perform ex vivo/in vitro cellular assays with an emphasis on such technologies as flow cytometry and ELISA tests.

This individual is an expert in gene and biological technologies and is responsible for training team members on proper laboratory procedures, managing internal and client cell banks, and maintaining cells and live-cell assays. These individuals should have a strong understanding of cell culture technologies, scientific method development and validation, and product testing. Duties also include developing and qualifying, and validating cell-based methods for the release of cell therapies in tandem with services labs.

A director of cell biology typically works in an office/lab environment during a typical workweek and should have excellent analytical, observational, research, communication, and management skills. Most of these individuals have a bachelor's and a master's or Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a comparable field. They must also possess an in-depth knowledge of immunology, genetics, and virology. Depending upon where the individual works, whether in a university or a research hospital, a director of cell biology can make up to $74,000 per year in the US, and the field is expected to grow 8% by 2028.

What general advice would you give to a director of cell biology?

Andrew Riquier Ph.D.

Instructor, University of Nebraska - Omaha

Apply for the positions you want, even if you feel underqualified. I know plenty of people who have applied for jobs they didn't quite meet the requirements for, and got hired for other reasons. In my experience, many recent graduates choose to take time to strengthen their resumes by retaking classes, working jobs they don't particularly want to get experience, etc. There is some value in that, particularly if you have been unsuccessful attaining the position you want, or if you want to see if you even enjoy that type of work. But if you are confident in what you want to do, go for it; in the worst-case scenario, you are in the same position you would be if you hadn't applied, but now you have experience applying and have potentially gained a contact in the field.

ScoreDirector Of Cell BiologyUS Average

Salary

6.2

Avg. Salary $79,225

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 26.55%

Black or African American 6.18%

Hispanic or Latino 9.37%

Unknown 4.04%

White 53.71%

Gender

female 41.02%

male 58.98%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a director of cell biology

Explore director of cell biology education requirements

Most common director of cell biology degrees

Bachelor's

52.3 %

Doctorate

25.5 %

Master's

15.5 %

Start to develop specific director of cell biology skills

Skills	Percentages
Cell Biology	16.03%
Cell Culture	10.06%
Cell-Based Assays	5.43%
Data Analysis	5.33%
Drug Discovery	5.15%

Complete relevant director of cell biology training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors of cell biology learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director of cell biology based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director of cell biology resumes.

Research director of cell biology duties and responsibilities

Lead the FDA audit of the facility as ChanTest quality representative for the site.
Process, analyze and upload HTS data that lead to the discovery of new structural classes of small molecules.
Train all staff on becoming GLP compliant.
Develop ELISA methods to monitor priority pollutants for the EPA and commercial clients.

Get director of cell biology experience

Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a director of cell biology. The most common roles before becoming a director of cell biology include research assistant, senior scientist team lead and research fellow.

Prepare your director of cell biology resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director of cell biology resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director of cell biology resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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