How to hire a genomics scientist

How to hire a genomics scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step genomics scientist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a genomics scientist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new genomics scientist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a genomics scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your genomics scientist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a genomics scientist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A genomics scientist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, genomics scientists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of genomics scientists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Genomics Scientist	Description	Hourly rate
   Genomics Scientist		$26-68
   Research Fellow	A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study... Show more	$18-34
   Laboratory Analyst	A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.	$14-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Data Analysis
   • NGS
   • QC
   • PCR
   • Scientific Literature
   • Assay Development
   • DNA
   • Drug Development
   • Clinical Trials
   • Cell Lines
   • Drug Targets
   • GLP
   • Genotyping
   • SNP

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
   • Generate sequence and genotyping data for SFP genetic map construction.
   • Test different technical protocols to generate DNA size fractions and estimate sequence complexity.
   • Amplify sequence, develop SNP markers and generate mapping data in QTL population.
   • Develop protocols for producing random adaptor-ligate DNA library.
   • Develop many HPLC cleaning/residue methods and coordinate method transfer.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your genomics scientist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A genomics scientist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a genomics scientist in Wisconsin may be lower than in California, and an entry-level genomics scientist usually earns less than a senior-level genomics scientist. Additionally, a genomics scientist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average genomics scientist salary

   $90,194yearly

   $43.36 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level genomics scientist salary

   $56,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average genomics scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$118,101	$57
   2	Massachusetts	$85,450	$41
   3	Utah	$85,110	$41
   4	New York	$83,818	$40
   5	Washington	$81,233	$39
   6	Connecticut	$80,096	$39
   7	Illinois	$75,924	$37
   8	North Carolina	$71,006	$34
   9	Missouri	$69,684	$34
   10	Tennessee	$64,187	$31
   11	Pennsylvania	$64,083	$31
   12	Ohio	$62,678	$30
   13	Indiana	$62,121	$30
   14	Florida	$50,121	$24

   Average genomics scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	NVIDIA	$149,817	$72.03	40
   2	Applied Materials	$126,772	$60.95	2
   3	DNAnexus	$119,010	$57.22
   4	Bayer	$111,074	$53.40	173
   5	Kaiser Permanente	$110,445	$53.10	20
   6	Foundation Medicine	$105,058	$50.51	1
   7	IDEXX	$104,562	$50.27	10
   8	Regeneron	$104,444	$50.21	34
   9	AbbVie	$102,738	$49.39	94
   10	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$101,732	$48.91	145
   11	Eli Lilly and Company	$100,557	$48.34	88
   12	AstraZeneca	$97,998	$47.11	25
   13	Myriad Genetics	$95,328	$45.83	4
   14	Syngenta	$94,491	$45.43
   15	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	$94,275	$45.32	110
   16	Bruker	$94,218	$45.30	6
   17	Denali Therapeutics	$93,369	$44.89	10
   18	Pfizer	$91,904	$44.18	53
   19	Pharmaceutical Product Development	$91,844	$44.16
   20	Berkeley Lights	$91,383	$43.93

4. Writing a genomics scientist job description

   A job description for a genomics scientist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a genomics scientist job description:

   Genomics scientist job description example

   Data Driven Bioscience (DDB) has developed a revolutionary approach to cancer diagnosis by connecting a novel genomic assay with intelligent software. DDB is well-funded by some of the top venture capital firms and paying customers. We are looking to expand our wet lab team to develop the next generation of library prep kits.
   
   We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist/Development Associate to assist in the expansion of our assay development team and our product line. The ideal candidate would have a strong work ethic with a background in molecular biology and with proven hands.
   Primary Responsibilities:
   
   · Assist in the development of novel next generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation kits
   
   · Perform NGS on patient samples
   
   · Develop experiments to test kit parameters, and data interpretation
   
   · Train new customers to perform the assay
   
   · Assist in upstream manufacturing processes
   
   · Maintain lab equipment and inventory
   
   Required Qualifications and Experience:
   
   · B.S. or M.S. in Molecular Biology or related field with at least 1-2 years of laboratory experience
   
   \* Experience with NGS strongly preferred.
   
   · Hands on experience with basic molecular biology methods, such as nucleic acid purification, primer design, PCR. Experience in NGS library preparation is preferred
   
   · Proven ability to independently plan and execute experiments and troubleshoot
   
   · Strong communication skills, including written and verbal communication
   
   This position will culminate in the implementation of the a novel NGS-based approach to cancer diagnostics. The candidate will be at the forefront of cancer research and will play a critical role in the direction and growth of the company.
   
   The position requires ~15% travel to interact with customers and to attend biomedical conferences.
   
   Data Driven Bioscience offers a highly competitive salary, as well as employee stock options.
   
   If you would like to be part of the future of cancer diagnostics, please apply with your resume and we will contact you promptly.
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Pay: $45,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
   
   Benefits:
   * Dental insurance
   * Health insurance
   * Paid time off
   * Vision insurance
   Schedule:
   * Monday to Friday
   
   Ability to commute/relocate:
   * Durham, NC 27707: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
   
   Education:
   * Bachelor's (Preferred)
   
   Experience:
   * Laboratory experience: 1 year (Preferred)
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find genomics scientists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any genomics scientists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level genomics scientists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your genomics scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit genomics scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit genomics scientists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new genomics scientist

   Once you've decided on a perfect genomics scientist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new genomics scientist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a genomics scientist?