Biochemist & Biophysicist Careers
Biochemistry uses living cells and the products of living cells to make a variety of products meant to help society. The types of products that are made include pharmaceutical products, diagnostic products, environmental products, and agricultural products. It is an applied science that is right on the cutting edge of technology.
Many different types of biochemistry and biophysicist careers can be pursued. Entry level and primary investigative positions include those in research and development, clinical research, careers in academia, manufacturing and production, quality control, regulatory issues, information systems, and administration.
Biochemist & Biophysicist Career Assessment
Take our career assessment. This 30 question quiz let’s you know if you’re cut out for a career as a biochemist or biophysicist by analyzing your abilities, skills, and interests.
Biochemist & Biophysicist Snapshot
Biochemists work in a laboratory setting. In addition to the lab, they may also have access to an office. They often work in a team and many are employed in the research and development department of a company or university.
Learn more about a career as a biochemist (statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average earnings for biochemists/biophysicists per year.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Doctorate, 32% have Post-Doctoral training.
Biochemist/Biophysicist Education
Biochemists and biophysicists hoping to become primary investigators will need a Ph.D. in biochemistry or biophysicist or a very closely related field. In addition, time spent as a post-doc is also required in many cases. Competition is fierce among Ph.D. candidates. It is possible to gain entry into the field with a Bachelor’s or Master’s in biochemistry as a research associate, but in that case you will expect much lower salaries.
Biochemist/Biophysicist Job Duties
Biochemists and biophysicists conduct scientific experiments involving biological and cellular processes. They may work in a team. Often the goal is on publishing scientific papers that help advance knowledge in a very specific area. In addition to working in a laboratory environment, many will also need to spend time securing funding. Many biochemists and biophysicists work in research departments at a university and teach students.
Biochemist/Biophysicist Salaries
The average salary for biochemists and biophysicists is fairly high with the median earnings at $82,150 a year. The lowest paid individuals in these professions earn less than $44,640 per year while the highest paid earn more than $153,810 per year. Education and past experience will play a definite role in earnings.
Biochemist/Biophysicist Job Outlook
According to the BLS.gov, employment for biochemists and biophysicists is expected to increase by 8% between 2014 and 2024 which is about as fast as the average occupation. Helping to drive the growth is the fact that more work is needed to continue making scientific advancements. Budget constraints limit the growth in these industries.
Biochemist & Biophysicist Career
Biochemists and biophysicists use a number of tools in their day-to-day activities. Review common tools and required skills of those working in these professions.
Biochemist Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Biochemists: | Typical Work Activities: |
• Critical Thinking • Reading Comprehension • Active Learning • Scientific Ability | • Deductive Reasoning • Inductive Reasoning • Written Comprehension • Flexibility | • Centrifuges • Lasers • Spectrometers • Light scattering equipment | • Analyzing Data • Updating Knowledge • Getting Information • Processing Information |
Related Careers
Biological Technicians
Bachelor’s Degree
Biomedical Engineers
Bachelor’s Degree
Physicists
Doctorate Degree