Careers

Although independent clinical or basic researchers frequently hold faculty positions at universities or academic institutions, research is their main focus. In contrast, professors at small or liberal arts institutions often focus heavily on teaching. Like their researcher counterparts, they have completed a PhD and usually a postdoctoral fellowship as well. Teaching focused professors may also... Read More

Biocurators collect and annotate the scientific community’s data in publicly accessible databases. In the era of genome sequencing and big data, scientific database curation has become very important to make sense of data in the big picture and to allow free exchange of information. Biocurators must have a strong science background to understand data sets... Read More

Audiologists are licensed health care professionals who diagnose, study, and treat hearing and balance disorders. Because there are many such disorders with a genetic basis, audiologists must have a basic understanding of genetics. These professionals work in many different settings including schools, clinics, private practice, hospitals, and health departments. myIDP career category: Clinical practice Additional Resources:... Read More

Physicians are medical doctors who manage the health of patients. They must successfully complete medical school, pass either the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination or the U.S. Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, and complete a residency to obtain a full medical license. There are medical specialties, such as pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology, that necessitate familiarity with genetics. In... Read More

Independent Clinical Researchers conduct research on mechanisms of and therapeutic interventions for human disease, including clinical trials for new drugs or treatments. Unlike independent basic researchers, clinical researchers interact directly with their subjects in a clinical setting. Independent clinical researchers work in hospitals, medical schools, industry, and government. myIDP career category: Principal investigator in a research-intensive... Read More