Synthetic Biologist
Designs and constructs new biological systems and organisms using genetic engineering, bioinformatics and engineering principles. Applies synthetic biology to healthcare (drug discovery, vaccines), agriculture (crop improvement), industrial biotechnology and sustainable energy production.
- AI exposure
- 41 of 100, moderate exposure
- Hiring trend
- Rising
- Hiring rate
- 35%
The role
What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.
At a glance
- Remote friendly
- No
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Time to senior
- 10 years
- Adaptation level
- Moderate
A day in the role
Designs a genetic circuit for engineered yeast to produce a therapeutic protein, runs computational simulations, reviews biosafety protocols for the lab work, and discusses scale-up with industry partners.
What it pays
Kenyan market, per month- Entry
- KES 130,000-200,000
- Mid
- KES 280,000-450,000
- Senior
- KES 550,000-1,000,000
Exposure
How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.
Where this rating sits
1,516 rated careersRated above 48% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside science the mean is 45, across 71 careers.
What the rating is made of
Share of recorded tasks- Machine does it
- 10%Software can already complete this work end to end.
- Machine assists
- 40%A person still decides, but the drafting is done for them.
- Person does it
- 50%Judgement, relationships and accountability that do not transfer.
Named task by task
Already automated
- Designing genetic circuits and metabolic pathways computationally
- Predicting protein functions and interactions with ML
- Automating DNA sequence design and optimisation
- Generating research report drafts and literature reviews
Still human
- Designing and constructing synthetic biological systems and genetic circuits
- Performing genetic engineering (CRISPR, Gibson assembly, Golden Gate)
- Conducting laboratory experiments: cloning, transformation, fermentation
- Collaborating with computational biologists and bioinformaticians
- Writing research publications and patent applications
- Ensuring biosafety and bioethics compliance
- Developing biotechnological products for healthcare, agriculture or industry
Getting in
The routes into the role and what each one asks for.
What to study
8 courses- Diploma in Dairy TechnologyKsh 64,120a year
- Craft Certificate in Food Processing and Preservation TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Analytical BiologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Analytical ChemistryKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Applied BiologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Food Science and TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Petroleum and GeoscienceKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Science Laboratory TechnologyKsh 67,189a year
How people get in
Molecular biology or biotech degree
4-6 yearsHigh cost
BSc Biotech from JKUAT, UoN or KU, plus synthetic biology training
Biotech PhD
4-7 yearsHigh cost
PhD in synthetic biology or related field
Who hires
- ILRI Nairobi
- KEMRI
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University
- Bioscience Africa
- KALRO
Common misconceptions
Synthetic biology is genetic modification renamed
It goes beyond GM by designing entirely new biological systems with engineering principles — standardised parts and predictable behaviour.
Its dangerous and unregulated
Synthetic biology operates under strict biosafety regulations and institutional review boards.
What happens next
How the role changes from here, and where it leads.
Supply and demand
- Demand
- 35
- Supply pressure
- 5
- Balance
- High demand
What to learn
- Genetic circuit design
- Biosafety compliance
- Computational biology
Related careers
Kenyan market notes
Synthetic biology is emerging in Kenya through KEMRI, ILRI and agricultural research institutes. ZipRecruiter lists synthetic biology jobs at $60K-$144K/year. Glassdoor lists 421+ synthetic biology jobs in the US alone. Growing applications in agriculture (drought-resistant crops), healthcare (vaccine development) and industrial biotechnology. Kenya has a developing biotech sector with potential for synthetic biology in agriculture and health. Career path: Research Scientist → Senior Researcher → Principal Investigator → Lab Director. Entrepreneurial opportunities in biotech startups.
Further reading
This role is rated 41 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.