Graduates of the MCDB program are highly qualified researchers with a solid foundation in molecular, cellular, and developmental biological sciences.  Moreover, they have the ability to think and perform research independently.  This breadth and depth of training provide graduates with a wide field of post-graduate career opportunities.  Many of our doctoral graduates choose research and/or teaching careers at major universities, medical schools, or small colleges.  Other graduates choose positions in agricultural or pharmaceutical companies, or government laboratories.

What can you do with a graduate degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology? 

Our graduates pursue careers in various fields.

Academic & Research

• Postdoctoral Researcher – A common next step for those pursuing academic careers.
• University Faculty – Teaching and conducting research at colleges or universities.

Industry

• Biotech/Pharma Scientist – Roles in drug discovery, development, and testing.
• Agricultural Biotech Researcher – Especially relevant in Iowa, with companies like Corteva and Bayer.

Government & Policy

• Science Policy Analyst – Advising on science-related legislation and funding.
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist – Ensuring compliance with government regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA).

Education & Outreach

• Science Communicator – Writing or producing content to explain science to the public.
• College Instructor – Teaching at community colleges or through outreach programs.

Specialized Roles

• Patent Agent – Working in intellectual property with additional certification.
• Bioinformatics/Data Scientist – Applying computational skills to biological data.

We're proud of our alumni! 

Check out our program's alumni.

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Alumni

Career planning and preparation

The Graduate College's Career Services can assist you with resumes, cover letters, and references; offer tools to provide feedback on formatting and content; and lead mock interviews to prepare you for upcoming interviews.