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Molecular research technologist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a molecular research technologist. Molecular research technologists usually study biology, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, or microbiology. 67% of molecular research technologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 181 real molecular research technologist resumes to see exactly what molecular research technologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for molecular research technologists are the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

There are also many online molecular research technologist courses to help get the education required to be a molecular research technologist.

What education do you need to become a molecular research technologist?

What degree do you need to be a molecular research technologist?

The most common degree for molecular research technologists is bachelor's degree, with 67% of molecular research technologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Master's, 21%
  • Associate, 6%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a molecular research technologist?

You should major in biology to become a molecular research technologist. 27% of molecular research technologists major in biology. Other common majors for a molecular research technologist include biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology and microbiology.

Most common colleges for molecular research technologists

Molecular research technologists often get their degrees at University of California, Santa Barbara, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and Purdue University. Here are the most common colleges for molecular research technologists in the US based on their resumes.
Molecular research technologist common collegePercentages
University of California, Santa Barbara9.68%
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico9.68%
Purdue University6.45%
University of California - Davis6.45%
University of Texas at Austin6.45%

Best majors for molecular research technologists

Best colleges for molecular research technologists

The best colleges for molecular research technologists are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

A molecular research technologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for molecular research technologists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become molecular research technologists.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

5. Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$10,726

Enrollment

45,769

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

20 best online courses for molecular research technologists

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1. Experimental Methods in Systems Biology

coursera

Learn about the technologies underlying experimentation used in systems biology, with particular focus on RNA sequencing, mass spec-based proteomics, flow/mass cytometry and live-cell imaging. A key driver of the systems biology field is the technology allowing us to delve deeper and wider into how cells respond to experimental perturbations. This in turns allows us to build more detailed quantitative models of cellular function, which can give important insight into applications ranging from...

2. Plant Bioinformatic Methods

coursera

The past 15 years have been exciting ones in plant biology. Hundreds of plant genomes have been sequenced, RNA-seq has enabled transcriptome-wide expression profiling, and a proliferation of "-seq"-based methods has permitted protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions to be determined cheaply and in a high-throughput manner. These data sets in turn allow us to generate hypotheses at the click of a mouse or tap of a finger.The Plant Bioinformatics Specialization on Coursera introduces core...

3. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

udemy
4.6
(857)

Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

4. Research Methodology

udemy
4.5
(621)

Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...

5. Plant Bioinformatics

coursera

The past 15 years have been exciting ones in plant biology. Hundreds of plant genomes have been sequenced, RNA-seq has enabled transcriptome-wide expression profiling, and a proliferation of "-seq"-based methods has permitted protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions to be determined cheaply and in a high-throughput manner. These data sets in turn allow us to generate hypotheses at the click of a mouse. For instance, knowing where and when a gene is expressed can help us narrow down the...

6. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau

coursera

Publishing research often requires the preparation of visual elements like charts, tables, and graphs to better explain the text in a research report. Creating these elements can be done easily and effectively in Tableau. Using Tableau, large and small data sets can be visualized with precision, creativity, interactivity, and options in Tableau. After taking this course learners will know how to create a table, a geovisualization, and a pie chart. Three of the most common research...

7. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course

udemy
4.4
(452)

Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...

8. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced

udemy
4.1
(621)

Master Qualitative Research Method, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis and more with MAXQDA Analytics...

9. Uncertainty and Research

coursera

This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...

10. AI for Scientific Research

coursera

In the AI for Scientific Research specialization, we'll learn how to use AI in scientific situations to discover trends and patterns within datasets. Course 1 teaches a little bit about the Python language as it relates to data science. We'll share some existing libraries to help analyze your datasets. By the end of the course, you'll apply a classification model to predict the presence or absence of heart disease from a patient's health data. Course 2 covers the complete machine learning...

11. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

udemy
4
(449)

Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

12. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

udemy
4.3
(375)

Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

13. Market Research

coursera

"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...

14. Market Research

coursera

The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...

15. Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics

coursera

This introductory physical chemistry course examines the connections between molecular properties and the behavior of macroscopic chemical systems...

16. Psychological Research

coursera

This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...

17. Foundations of Health Equity Research

coursera

Introduces students to the core principles of health equity research. Covers topics such as defining health equity, engaging community and policy stakeholders, patient-centeredness, cultural competence, and dissemination of research findings. Content will recognize different geographic, cultural, and social contexts where health inequities occur...

18. Qualitative Research

coursera

In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...

19. Plant Bioinformatics Capstone

coursera

The past 15 years have been exciting ones in plant biology. Hundreds of plant genomes have been sequenced, RNA-seq has enabled transcriptome-wide expression profiling, and a proliferation of "-seq"-based methods has permitted protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions to be determined cheaply and in a high-throughput manner. These data sets in turn allow us to generate hypotheses at the click of a mouse or tap of a finger. In Plant Bioinformatics on Coursera.org, we covered 33 plant-specific...

20. Data Science for Health Research

coursera

In Data Science for Health Research, learn to organize and visualize health data using statistical analysis in programs like R. Explore how to translate data, interpret statistical models, and predict outcomes to help make data-informed decisions within the public health field...

Top 10 most affordable universities for molecular research technologists

The most affordable schools for molecular research technologists are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and hunter college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for molecular research technologists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for molecular research technologists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for molecular research technologists

The hardest universities for molecular research technologists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for molecular research technologists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for molecular research technologists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

9. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for molecular research technologists

The easiest schools for molecular research technologists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a molecular research technologist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for molecular research technologists.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

7. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

8. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

9. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

10. American International College

Springfield, MA • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

1,010

Average molecular research technologist salary by education level

According to our data, molecular research technologists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $65,077 annually. Molecular research technologists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $57,090.
Molecular research technologist education levelMolecular research technologist salary
Master's Degree$65,077
Bachelor's Degree$57,090

Molecular research technologist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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