Career Overview
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
Also Known As
- Analytical Research Chemist
- Biochemist
- Biophysics Researcher
- Scientist
Alternate Job Titles
- Analytical Research Chemist
- Biochemist
- Biochemistry Scientist
- Biological Chemist
- Biophysicist
- Biophysics Researcher
- Chemist
- Chemistry Scientist
- Clinical Biochemist
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist
- Clinical Researcher
- Forensic Toxicologist
- Formulation Scientist
- Molecular Biologist
- Pharmaceutical Scientist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
- Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
- Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Analyze biochemical or biophysical data.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Physics
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Learning Strategies
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Recognition
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Photoshop
- Extensible markup language XML
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Amino acid analyzers
- Analytical balances
- Analytical ultracentrifuges
- Argon lasers
- Atomic force microscopes
- Auto gamma counters
- Autoclaves
- Automated electrophoresis equipment
- Automatic pipetters
- Automatic x ray film developers
- Balances
- Basic vapor pressure osmometers
- Beakers
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Biofreezers
Work Environment
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $64,890 |
| Median | $103,650 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $168,900 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 34,520
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $93,330
Microbiologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $87,330
Geneticists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $93,330
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $100,590
Chemists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $84,150
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.