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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES →

Geneticist

Geneticists study DNA and genes to understand how they work and what they do. They use this knowledge to help cure genetic diseases, improve farming and food, and understand how living things develop and pass on traits.

Geneticist

18

Biological Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO18%moving to63%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

The role

As a geneticist, you study how genes work and what happens when they go wrong. You might work in a hospital helping to diagnose genetic diseases, in a research lab discovering new things about DNA, in agriculture improving crops, or in a university teaching and researching. You use science to solve real problems about health and life.

You'll design and run experiments, use lab equipment to look at DNA and genes, and analyse data to find patterns and problems. You read genetic tests and work out what they mean for a patient or crop. You collaborate with doctors, other scientists and computer experts. You need to be careful and precise, because errors matter in genetics. You might publish your findings or give talks at conferences, sharing what you've discovered with other scientists around the world.

Daily responsibilities

  • Conduct laboratory experiments to analyze genetic material and identify genetic disorders.
  • Utilize advanced software and bioinformatics tools to interpret genomic data.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and implement research projects.
  • Publish findings in scientific journals and present research at conferences.
  • Stay updated on the latest genetic research and technologies to inform ongoing projects.
  • Engage with patients and families to provide genetic counseling and support.
  • Develop and refine laboratory protocols to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree in Biological Sciences or a related field is highly regarded, providing a solid foundation in genetics and access to world-class research facilities. Universities in the UK are renowned for their rigorous academic standards and strong industry connections, giving graduates a competitive edge in the job market.

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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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