Director of cell biology vs scientist

The differences between directors of cell biology and scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a director of cell biology and a scientist. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, which is higher than the $79,225 average annual salary of a director of cell biology.

The top three skills for a director of cell biology include cell biology, cell culture and cell-based assays. The most important skills for a scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.

Director of cell biology vs scientist overview

	Director Of Cell Biology	Scientist
Yearly salary	$79,225	$97,344
Hourly rate	$38.09	$46.80
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	20,934	62,467
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a director of cell biology do?

A director of cell biology is responsible for leading the monoclonal antibody group in immunoassay re-design for product integrity. You will oversee the initial research and development stage of the proprietary molecular detection devices and train all team members on becoming compliant with good laboratory practice. In addition, you will be responsible for executing small- and full-scale cell line development projects and developing ELISA methods for monitoring pollutants. You are also responsible for advising the senior management team on competing products and technologies.

What does a scientist do?

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

Director of cell biology vs scientist salary

Directors of cell biology and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Director Of Cell Biology	Scientist
Average salary	$79,225	$97,344
Salary range	Between $50,000 And $124,000	Between $67,000 And $140,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	Tennessee	California
Best paying company	Western Digital	Airbnb
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Technology

Differences between director of cell biology and scientist education

There are a few differences between a director of cell biology and a scientist in terms of educational background:

	Director Of Cell Biology	Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Biology	Chemistry
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Director of cell biology vs scientist demographics

Here are the differences between directors of cell biology' and scientists' demographics:

	Director Of Cell Biology	Scientist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 26.6% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between director of cell biology and scientist duties and responsibilities

Director of cell biology example 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.
Learned and perform various techniques relate to ELISA assays, western-blot, protein purification, phage transduction of bacteria and phage-display.
Conduct product verification testing against the product requirements specification, developing essential documentation for European and FDA submissions.

Scientist example responsibilities.

Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.

Director of cell biology vs scientist skills

Common director of cell biology skills

Cell Biology, 16%
Cell Culture, 10%
Cell-Based Assays, 5%
Data Analysis, 5%
Drug Discovery, 5%
Cell Lines, 4%

Common scientist skills

Chemistry, 9%
Data Analysis, 7%
Patients, 7%
Molecular Biology, 4%
Cell Culture, 4%
Java, 3%

Director Of Cell Biology vs. similar jobs

Director Of Cell Biology related careers

Director Of Cell Biology related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Director Of Cell Biology
Director Of Cell Biology vs Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs