Bioinformatics Scientists
Official O*NET title: Bioinformatics Scientists (19-1029.01)
Also called: bioinformatician, computational biologist, bioinformaticist, bioinformatics programmer, bioinformatics research associate
Do you do this at work?
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Do you do this at work?
Develop data models and databases
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How AI is changing bioinformatics scientists work
15 of 16 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 94%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Develop data models and databases (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Analyze large molecular datasets (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Recommend new systems and processes to improve operations (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Compile data for use in activities (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Improve user interfaces to bioinformatics software and databases (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools — some recorded AI use
- Collaborate with software developers in the development and modification of commercial bioinformatics software — some recorded AI use
- Prepare summary statistics of information regarding human genomes — some recorded AI use
- Talk with departments — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Develop data models and databases”. Try the prompt for: “Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and bioinformatics scientists
Will AI replace bioinformatics scientists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 15 of the 16 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 2 of the 20 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which bioinformatics scientist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: develop data models and databases; develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs; analyze large molecular datasets.
Which bioinformatics scientist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics; talk with departments. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 78% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a bioinformatics scientist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Bioinformatics Scientists ranks #2 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #1 of 45 in Science & Research. It’s in our top 50 jobs most changed by AI.
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