The best part about my job is that I never have a same day, it's always challenging coming up with new ideas. My main tasks are to do experiments trying to see what causes DNA damage and how to observe it. Granted I have to run many controls and side experiments to make sure that I'm actually observing what I think I have. So I have to prove myself and other scientists that my work is worth it!
CAREER
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$94,270
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+4% (slower than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Biochemists and Biophysicists Do
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 Job Titles Biochemists and Biophysicists May Have
Analytical Research Chemist, Biochemist, Biophysics Researcher, Scientist
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I take advantage of the cell's natural ability to make and package proteins by modifying cells to make high quantities of proteins that could be candidates for cancer therapies. I then release these proteins by breaking up the cells and use different solutions to purify only the proteins I am interested in, ignoring all the anything that the cells would normally make. I then test out these target proteins with different cancer drugs or even other proteins to see what works best.
Tasks & Responsibilities May 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Biochemists and Biophysicists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (44%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Time management and having a good work/life balance. Volunteering with clubs that do science outreach. Learning another language. Communication, take communications classes if possible, science communication is VERY important.
Problem solving and critical thinking are incredibly important skills that develop overtime. There is a lot of trial and error in science and you need to be able to make adjustments and then optimize the steps that work. Collaboration is another critical aspect of science since you often will want or need to work with your peers to reach a goal. A lot of technical skills you will pick up along the way, since not all skills are taught in college courses.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Don't let professors/peers/other students deviate you from your dream job. Go into undergrad research, summer internships, volunteer, but also one summer do something completely out of the "norm," it will challenge you and make you think differently.
Volunteer in a laboratory working on research you find interesting during your undergrad. That way you can see if you like the work and lifestyle. Then tailor the rest of your undergrad career to steer towards research. You do not necessarily need more than a bachelors degree to work in research, but it will certainly help further your career.
Getting higher education will help you get a job relating to your field. Also, research helps you gain skills. The experiences I gained while doing my research helped me to enter the workforce and get a job.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
