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Biochemists and Biophysicists
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.
Other titles employers use
Analytical Research Chemist · Biochemist · Biophysics Researcher · Scientist · Biological Chemist · Biophysicist · Clinical Biochemist · Physical Biochemist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Physics
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.7 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 3.5 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 75%
- A four-year degree 25%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Analytical or scientific software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Electronic mail software
- Enterprise application integration software
- Operating system software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,000
- Job openings each year
- 550
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 11.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,000 | 550 | 11.1% |
| Massachusetts | 3,980 | 300 | 5.3% |
| New Jersey | 2,510 | 190 | 7.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,390 | 180 | 5.3% |
| New York | 1,600 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Maryland | 1,110 | 90 | 12.1% |
| Colorado | 1,050 | 90 | 16.7% |
| Washington | 660 | 70 | 20.0% |
| Texas | 600 | 50 | 15.4% |
| Utah | 520 | 50 | 48.6% |
| North Carolina | 480 | 40 | 14.3% |
| Connecticut | 440 | 40 | 12.8% |
| Delaware | 440 | 30 | — |
| Minnesota | 430 | 30 | 7.5% |
| Maine | 390 | 30 | −4.9% |
| Michigan | 390 | 30 | 8.3% |
| Missouri | 350 | 30 | 6.1% |
| Florida | 320 | 30 | 18.5% |
| Wisconsin | 320 | 30 | 18.5% |
| Ohio | 290 | 20 | 7.4% |
| Oregon | 270 | 20 | 28.6% |
| Tennessee | 200 | 20 | 25.0% |
| Alabama | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Indiana | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Iowa | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Arizona | 100 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Kentucky | 80 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Idaho | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Louisiana | 60 | 10 | — |
| District of Columbia | 50 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 50 | 0 | — |
| South Carolina | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| South Dakota | 40 | 0 | — |
| Nevada | 20 | 0 | 100.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 551
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
The University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 303
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 338
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 667
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-San Diego
- Degrees each year
- 886
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Degrees each year
- 342
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 378
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 192
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Compare every college offering biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology